Some might say that the art majors have it easier than other students here at St. John’s. For one student, Arisa Ossandon, that perspective couldn’t be more invalid. Arisa is a Long Island native and a graphic design student. She spends her time juggling the challenging art courses here at St. John’s, and working at Paper Source, a store that specializes in stationery. I recently sat down with her to talk coffee and creativity.
Q: What made you want to come to St. John’s?
A: I really love the diversity.
Q: Do you find that diversity is important in an arts related field?
A: I think so. It helps to keep your mind open. I’m a very open person. I like talking to different people, and experiencing new things.
Q: Have you always been interested in art?
A: Yeah, I feel like everyone in my family does art. Not necessarily graphic design, but my dad plays piano, and my mom also likes to draw little cartoons. Everyone’s involved in art.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about your major?
A: I hear so many people say, “Oh, art must be easy, right?” That’s so not true.
Q: What’s your favorite class that you’ve taken here?
A: Currently, the motion graphics class. It’s definitely time consuming and hard and technical, but I get to make really cute videos and stuff. I love it. I didn’t think I would, but I do.
Q: What kind of art do you gravitate towards?
A: Anything colorful. I also really like illusions.
Q: Do you feel like art is something you can learn?
A: I think so. It’s like riding a bike, it might be hard at first, but you can do it. It definitely takes time and patience.
Q: Who are some of your influences?
A: Definitely my parents. They’re very creative. I look up to both of them. I usually ask them their opinion on my pieces. My other classmates influence me, too. Because everyone is so different and we all have different ideas. Getting their opinion really helps.
Q: Have you ever been discouraged with art?
A: Not necessarily discouraged, but I’ve felt like I could’ve done something differently. But not discouraged.
Q: If you weren’t studying graphic design, what would you be studying?
A: Piano. But if it wasn’t art in general, I’ve always liked teaching. So, maybe something with languages too. I’m bilingual. I speak Japanese. So maybe teach Japanese or be an interpreter.
Q: What’s your dream job?
A: To work in Disney. I absolutely love Disney.
Q: What would you say to anyone studying an art-related field?
A: Go for it. It’s a lot of work and it’s very time consuming, but it’s worth it.
Q: How do you like your coffee?
A: It depends, but recently I’ve been really obsessed with macchiatos. Coffee is my ritual. I love coffee.
