One graduate, five questions, go…
Stephen Fiore '17 (Visual Arts: Electronic Media)
Senior Digital Designer, Marvel Entertainment
How did your education prepare you for what you are doing today?
I think the two key things that helped prepare me for what I’m doing now are the consistent workload and the connections I got to build. Having weekly assignments and being on a schedule is very valuable early on, especially in design. Deadlines can be very unforgiving sometimes, so it’s good to learn time management at the beginning of your journey.
The connections are key, too. Networking is very important when trying to land a job, even if you’re just freelancing. Getting the opportunity to intern helped shape my career, so if you get that opportunity you need to jump on it and take full advantage of the experience.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment or recent professional accomplishment to date?
If I had to pick a personal favorite, it would probably be getting to design the Marvel Unlimited Plus Kit for the past 3 years. Getting to talk about our app and the box itself with fans at Comicon last year was a really cool experience. I even dove down the YouTube rabbit hole recently and watched unboxings of the kit, and it’s surreal to see something you worked on out in the world like that. Always fun to hear fan reactions.
What programs do you support at SUNY Old Westbury, and why?
I try to keep updated as much as I can with what’s happening on campus through the alumni and school of Arts and Sciences newsletters. I also follow the social accounts and get to see things like the exhibitions at the Amelie A. Wallace Gallery. It brings me back to when I was a student with art featured there.
Do you have advice for current students?
The main piece of advice I would give is to get as involved as you can get, because you never know what opportunities it will lead to. Getting the opportunity to intern during my semester helped shape my career, and that’s just one example of the good that can come from networking and getting involved. Also, keep passionate about your work and continue learning outside of school. Learn as much outside as you do inside, if not more. And keep working hard, you’ll get to where you want to be.
What is your favorite memory of your time on campus?
I think my favorite spot would be the computer lab. That’s where I spent most of my time and was most comfortable. There were some good times spent there with friends, so I would have to go with that one.
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