Designing Your Life in the Caribbean
Bridgetown, Barbados
Associate Degree in Advertising Design
Design is needed everywhere these days. Even in a Caribbean paradise like Barbados, businesses need consistent, compelling visual communications to reach their savvy customers. Our student of the month is Barbadian Marc Sutherland, a talented all-round creative recently graduated from our Ad Design program with a strong portfolio and is ready to take his sunny part of the world by storm.
Marc, you’re located in Barbados – can you tell us a bit about the design scene in Barbados? Why did you decide to enroll in an online program?
The design scene here is very close knit and competitive, you really have to fight to get into it. I decided to enroll online because I knew it would suit me better, to be able to shape the school program into my life, rather than having to shape my life around school.
The main benefit of online studying is flexibility, being able to access class material at 1am or 1pm and work at your own pace. I think it is a great way to gain discipline in time management, not only for school but also in your personal life.
How did you first get involved in design?
A close friend asked me to create a business card and flyer for them. Of course, I took on this mini project, without fully understanding the path it would take me on. In the days that followed, I learnt so much about the process and consulting with her to make adjustments and I yearned for more knowledge.
In what areas do you feel your skills have most improved during your program?
I think my skills in Photoshop and Illustrator has really grown, along with my understanding of advertising design. I treasure some of the knowledge I’ve gained at Sessions over the last two years. I’ve even had the opportunity to use my skills to work with a local business to assist them with the re-branding their logo and updating the advertising campaigns.
What are your outside passions or interests?
Outside of Sessions, I enjoy spending time with my two sons, taking them to the movies and even showing them how I create my digital pieces. My other passions are photography, music, cycling, and drawing either digitally or pencil to paper. These are the main things I like to engage in when I’m not focused on class assignments.
What are your professional goals after graduation?
My first goal is starting my career in advertising design, as it will be a complete 180 degrees from what I currently do job wise. I plan to start learning other programs outside of the Adobe Suite, to make myself more marketable. I’ve started to teach myself Blender, the 3D rendering program. I want to begin at junior level and get as much knowledge as I can from seniors in the field, and expand my knowledge.
To learn more about Advertising Design programs at Sessions College visit sessions.edu and chat with an Admissions Advisor.
From 2018-2020, Angella was a Student Advisor at Sessions College. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy from ASU, and likes to use her knowledge of graphic design to make invitations, holiday cards, t-shirts, and more.
