The Visual Arts Center at Shoreline Community College

When Mauro Guerrero graduated from high school in Wenatchee he planned to prepare for a four-year college education with a transfer degree at the local community college. When he completed his Associate Degree, he took a break to think about what area of study he wanted to pursue. He always loved photography and illustration, and some exploration showed him that graphic design could be a way to enjoy these hobbies while working. Mauro came to Seattle to research opportunities and visited several private art schools. He had to pay for his own education as he studied and he found these options too expensive and too structured to allow him to work while attending school.

Mauro found that SCC was affordable and flexible. He really liked the fact that many Visual Communications Technology faculty were working designers. He felt that they both pushed him and nurtured him. They helped him identify his strengths, such as understanding balance and working with images. Mauro learned in the VCT program that everything revolves around concept. The faculty taught him to look for the design logic in everything around him, which has been a source of inspiration for own projects, then and now.

After earning his A.S. degree, Mauro went to work for a sunglass company, since purchased by Foster Grant. He progressed over 3-1/2 years from entry-level graphic designer to manager of the design department. He often did his own product photographs and created illustrations for the company’s materials, using skills learned in his hobbies. Mauro left the company following its merger, and after a brief stint heading his own freelance business, joined the AAA Washington marketing department.  He is busy and challenged developing marketing collateral for AAA businesses such as insurance, travel, and roadside assistance. He finds his training invaluable, applying daily the maxim that concept is the core of all design work.