Let's get to know Jon Osman - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm currently enrolled at the JC in my journey to receive first my AS and then later my BS in Computer Science. I'm taking this specific class as I'd like to use my degree to strike a career in web development.">
Previous computer experience:
I first started using computers in the days of Windows 95, and I've been tethered to one ever since. This obsession and fascination with computers is what caused me to want to pursue a CS degree.
Hobbies and Interests:
I'm currently 22 and I've been at the JC for a couple of years now as a full-time student. When I'm not busy with homework, I'm usually talking with friends online, making music, or playing games.
Let's get to know Ashley Riddle - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm taking this class as a part of my AA in Web Graphic Design and because I have a strong interest in coding and hope to make it my career.">
Previous computer experience:
I've been using computers most of my life. I'm on them daily and am slowly learning more about them as time goes on.
Hobbies and Interests:
Let's get to know Kim Johannsen - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
Part of my work involves creating and editing webpages, so I'd like to improve my skills and learn some new tricks.">
Previous computer experience:
I've taken a few online CS classes before and use a little html/css and photo editing in my work. used to work remotely doing web administration tasks with through a CMS.
Hobbies and Interests:
I have a bachelors degree in rhetoric, but have been taking classes at the JC for some years now, in part recreational, but also some professional development. Working in marketing, design skills tend to come in handy. On the hobby side, I get a different kind of nerdy by playing Pathfinder RPG.
Let's get to know Angela Penland - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
To continue learning more about web design and tools">
Previous computer experience:
SRJC Certificates: HTML Web Content Developer, Adobe Certification Training in Illustrator, Web Graphic Production, Adobe Applications Specialist. Taking a Drupal/PHP/server side programming class and a Motion Graphics (After Effects), class at another college this semester.
Hobbies and Interests:
Photography, movies, fine art, reading, hiking, animals - anything with my two daughters.
Let's get to know Robin Harbig-Monroe - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am taking this class to further my knowledge of web design, and also as a requirement for several certificates I am working on and towards a degree in Interactive Media Design.">
Previous computer experience:
I feel in love with computers while learning programming on a mainframe in 1981. When DOS first arrived on the scene I purchased my first custom built box and I have never looked back. The most expensive part of that box was the 25MB hard drive - it cost $600! Can you image?? 25MB!
Hobbies and Interests:
I am 55 years old, love learning new stuff all the time; am learning to make table top garden scenes; I love gardening and do the things I am physically able to do; and even though by most people's standards I am quite poor - I consider myself to be truly blessed. I am an eternal optimist and a very committed Christian.
Let's get to know Amy Calhoun - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
Hello, I am taking this class because I am very interested in web design / development. I am returning to school after being gone for many years. I am in the process of "reinventing" myself and I am enrolled in the Web Design Certificate course, so this class is a requirement. ( YEA!!)">
Previous computer experience:
Last semester I took PS, ID and HTML. This semester I have PS-2, CSS and a great start at learning Bootstrap.
Hobbies and Interests:
I love to white water raft, knit and garden. None of which do I have time for right now! School and part time work is keeping me busy.
Let's get to know Caroline Lomba - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
To move further in my abilities to design effective and aesthetic websites.">
Previous computer experience:
I am a Mac girl, but also versed in PC. I went through the JC's graphic design certificate program, and now am nearing completion of my web design certificate, so I am at least somewhat adept at finding my way around computers.
Hobbies and Interests:
I am an artist, I teach children's theater, and I love to play bocce.
Let's get to know Olga Houston - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm at SRJC to gain the web skills I need to get employed in the field.">
Previous computer experience:
This is my third semester at SRJC taking courses in the CS department. I have worked in job positions that utilized my web experience but I would like the do web development full-time, possibly in distance education. I look forward to honing my CSS skills in this class.
Hobbies and Interests:
I am originally from San Diego, but this is the second time that I have lived in the bay area in about a dozen years. I'm married with one daughter who just transferred to USC this fall.
Let's get to know Christina Tedesco - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I want to refine some of my graphic design skills and apply this to the web design knowledge I have and will be learning. I'm particularly interested in applying this to Wordpress">
Previous computer experience:
I've been a graphic designer for 12 years, using mainly Photoshop and In Design. I find I like web design suits me better at this point in my business. I've taken Intro to Dreamweaver although I haven't really done much with it beyond the class. I'm working more with Wordpress and using custom themes to make a richer design that is not blog based. I work on a Mac.
Hobbies and Interests:
Besides my graphic work I'm also an artist, painting in abstract collage/mixed Media. I also have a healing business, mainly herbal medicine and energy healing. I make herbal products from plants that I grow: salves, teas and extracts
Let's get to know Amanda Smith - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am starting my own web design business.">
Previous computer experience:
I started as a child on macs, but I am now using an HP Envy with Windows 8. I would consider myself proficient on the computer.
Hobbies and Interests:
Skiing, yoga, hiking, cooking, wine tasting, learning as much as I can :)
Let's get to know James Sward - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
Besides being a requirement for the Web Graphic Design certificate: I want to learn to learn to design and create a functional website from scratch.">
Previous computer experience:
BS Computer Science from SFSU. About a decade programming and doing database work for PCs. Another ten or so years doing UNIX based accounting apps. Recently: freelance work doing mostly server side stuff.
Hobbies and Interests:
Avid runner and techie. Reading every thing I can get my hands on. Trying to remodel my home.
Let's get to know Giancarlo Silipo - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
It is part of the requirements in the web graphic design certificate program.">
Previous computer experience:
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, CS50.11a, b, c, CS50.21a. Long time graphic designer, first time coder.
Hobbies and Interests:
sports, Giants, 49ers, golf, cars, gym, food, wine, graphic design, photography, all things techie, computers, and video games.
Let's get to know Virginia Demitro - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm taking this class to get a certificate in Web Design.">
Previous computer experience:
I have some computer experience on my one through the years. I have taken 2 HTML classes, basic computer class, the Graphic Web Design class, and currently the CSS class. I love what I learned in the previous class and excited to continue and learm more. I am really starting to like bootstrap.
Hobbies and Interests:
I have always loved design, color, and putting things together. I love putting puzzles together and have a collection of them I also love putting quilts together. Web Design fits with many things I have enjoyed doing my whole life.
Let's get to know Rebecca Massell - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm taking this class to fulfill the requirements of the Web Graphic Designer certificate.">
Previous computer experience:
"PCs for New Users", "Taking an On-Line Course", HTML 1, HTML 2, CSS, Photoshop, Graphic Design 20, Applied Graphics 72, CS 50.31, CS 50.21A, completed half of Illustrator (and continuing with the rest of it). My OS is Windows 7. Previously did homework on Apples and Macs.
Hobbies and Interests:
Digital and film photography, hip-hop music and dance, planet-conscious activities, learning uncommon foreign languages, traveling, being with nature.
Let's get to know Alicia Weston - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am going for a certificate web design program
and this is a required class. I took the part A of this class this semester as well and enjoyed it a lot, and am excited to begin this class as well.">
Previous computer experience:
I took an html & css class this spring and I liked it so much I changed my major and I took a photoshop class this summer but that's pretty much it I'm deffinitly a begginer.
Hobbies and Interests:
I love to crochet and bake and sewing, I like to be creative! I also like to keep my home as well as my
websites; cute, clean, simple and sunny.
Let's get to know Ann Kruk - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
Part B of Part A">
Previous computer experience:
Lots of computer classes taken. Use a IMac on windows 7 platform. I do a lot of audio and film editing.
Hobbies and Interests:
I love my fam. 2 boys, 1 hubby and a fat chihuahua.
I like to cook and play racketball.
Let's get to know Neil Livingston - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am currently on track to get multiple web certificates (Web Design, Web Development and HTML Development) and I am taking this class as part of the requirements. I hope to continue, and expand, my knowledge of CSS, Web Graphics and Web Development.">
Previous computer experience:
I have been around computers my whole life, and actually built a few computers with my dad and brother growing up. The fascination, has led to try and learn new areas, from programming to web development, but never really formal education. I have had my hand in C++, HTML, CSS and a little bit of Javascript. I am currently entering my second year at SRJC, with a overall goal of 6-8 certificates, ranging from the Adobe Suite to Web Development and Design.
Hobbies and Interests:
When I am not working on computers, I am working at a winery in Sonoma County. I was a Wine Business Management major at Sonoma State University, and that has led me find the wine world and become engrossed in it. Outside of that I try to stay active by mountain biking Lake Sonoma, hiking the many parks around the county, snowboarding in the winter, riding my motorcycle around California and scuba diving with my family.
Let's get to know Gloria Batemon - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am taking this class to further achieve my goal of receiving a certification in Interactive Media Design. After this class, I will have three more classes to go in the CS part, and at least 3 more classes in the General Education part to receive an AA degree. It is a slow process as I am usually taking one class a semester, but this semester I am taking three classes.">
Previous computer experience:
Hello. My name is Gloria Batemon. I’ve been actively taking classes at the SRJC since 2005. Originally, I started taking Photoshop classes, as I enjoy photography. Once I achieved that goal, I went onto Illustrator, InDesign, HTML, and CSS. Later, I discovered there is a certification in Interactive Media Design, so here I am, working towards that goal.
Hobbies and Interests:
I enjoy photography, reading, working in the garden, and spending as much time as I can with my 14 grandchildren.
Let's get to know Amber Scott - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
Hello class, I'm Amber, I'm taking this class because I want to be proficient in CSS and Web Design before I graduate in the Spring. I've always felt like designing a website was a difficulty for me, and I've always had trouble knowing how to start a web project. I'm hoping to learn these concepts in this advanced section of the web design class. I'm also interested in learning about wire-frames and logo design. Looking forward to the class!">
Previous computer experience:
I've been taking classes at the JC since 2009, and most of the classes that I've taken have been computer oriented. I've gone through several Photoshop classes, Several Dreamweaver classes, an Illustrator and Indesign class, and I'm currently enrolled in my first semester of Flash.
Hobbies and Interests:
My biggest hobbie is being a vocalist. I love Jazz, Samba, and adult contemporary genres of music. I currently play at local restaurants and bars every month. If I ever had the opportunity, I would just play music and drop everything else. However, this doesn't seem to make enough money to live on, therefore I've turned to graphics and multimedia to be the bread and butter of my income. I love media because it gives me the opportunity to be creative in what I do.
Let's get to know Amanda Kvalheim - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am hoping to make a career of web design.">
Previous computer experience:
I have taken the HTML/CSS classes that have been offered at the SRJC. I have also taken Photoshop 1 & 2 and am currently enrolled in Illustrator. I take my classes online as I have a varied schedule and cannot commit to being in a classroom. I have also taken Dreamweaver through Lynda.com.
Hobbies and Interests:
I split my time between LA and Petaluma so I enjoy books on CD to fill the time while I drive. I also quilt when I can and volunteer teaching art in elementary classrooms.
Let's get to know Lisa Furton - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am taking all of the courses that I think I will need towards a certificate for Web Design, but also I am taking other courses like this one that look interesting and might come in handy later on.">
Previous computer experience:
I started getting training in Web Design in 1996, through Vocational Rehab, at a small school in Martinez, CA. I was very new to the field, so it took a few years to realize that I really did not feel confident in my web design skills from that training.
I am primarily a fine artist but I have taken various courses over the years - Design Principles, Color, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, Audition, Encore and Dreamweaver. Now I can Bootstrap to that list, and I really am excited about that.
Hobbies and Interests:
As I mentioned I am first and foremost a fine artist. I am an abstract painter, working mostly in acrylic. I have been working on a series of paintings based on electron microscope scans. I find them to be endlessly fascinating and inspirational for my painting and also lately my digital art that I've been fooling around with in Photoshop.
I do a lot of walking and hiking, I love to get outdoors and try to do that at least 4 times a week.
I read occasionally, but mostly online these days. Movies, music and partying with friends would be my other activities.
Let's get to know Laura Lisa Davis - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I would like to learn how to develop interactive websites. I am also taking this class to fulfill the requirements of a web certification program.">
Previous computer experience:
I have taken several web development, Microsoft, and Adobe applications courses at SRJC. I am familiar with PC-based systems, Win XP, Windows 7, MS Windows 95 through 2000, Win NT.
I also have some C programming, Visual Basic, and Pascal programming experience.
Hobbies and Interests:
I like writing, reading, going on nature walks, playing on the computer, and traveling.
Let's get to know Jeanine Flaton - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am continuing on from Web Graphics CS 50.21A.
Currently I am enrolled in Digital Video Post Production "C", Digital Filmmaking, and this class. I am planning on on AA in filmmaking, a certificate in Photography, Interactive Media and Web Design. I am taking this class to further enhance my skill set in editing/using images and graphics for use on the web, brushing up on CSS3 and HTML5. learning more about Bootstrap, Wireframes and Wordpress.">
Previous computer experience:
2nd semester using Premiere Pro CS6, 4 semesters of Photoshop, HTML 1 and 2, CSS3, and Dreamweaver. I am the" IT guy" in my house. I have built computers and retrofitted power supply for computers.
Hobbies and Interests:
I enjoy dancing, music, singing, playing bass and autoharp, designing, creating, cooking, photography, reading non fiction books, and watching films.
Let's get to know Mellodi Clark - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am purely taking this class for personal enrichment and to also keep working on my new found skill so as not to lose them as well.">
Previous computer experience:
I have been using a computer since I was about three years old and haven't stopped since and I don't think I ever will. I am here to stay.
Hobbies and Interests:
I live in Santa Rosa with my husband and our two cats. We as a family love the sport of Soccer and follow the San Jose Earthquakes when it is soccer season here in the US. I also love anything to do with crafting and do try to learn a little of everything. I do however have a love for crochet if I had to pick a favorite.
I hope that you liked learning a bit about me and look forward to taking this class with the rest of you!
Let's get to know Anna Hausfeld - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I'm looking forward to preparation for CS 50.32 next semester. I especially want to learn about using customizing WordPress.">
Previous computer experience:
I have completed most of the classes toward the Digital Media: Interactive MultiMedia major. This includes HTML classes, Photoshop, Applied Graphic Design, Premiere Pro, and Flash. I'm currently taking JavaScript, JQuery, and Ajax.
Hobbies and Interests:
I enjoy hiking, boogie boarding, movies, photography, reading, gardening, friends, family, and writing.
Let's get to know Susi Larsen - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am currently pursuing the HTML5 Web Content Developer Certificate and this class fulfills the requirement. I also have a vested interest in making this type of work a career in the future. I have yet to land a job in the industry but I hope to have a portfolio to showcase after the completion of this section. Currently, I have found an interest in programming and I can see the cross-over benefits of understanding how to interpret code into a design. Where once I thought all the designing I saw on the web was drawn, I understand now, it can be coded in as well.">
Previous computer experience:
My computer experience is expanding into programming with my current enrollment in C++ and HTML5. The HTML5 class is getting into javaScript which is somewhat easy to catch onto with a little background in c++. I've completed the Adobe Application Specialist Certificate and the Web Graphic Production Certificate here at SRJC and will continue to follow my dream in becoming a well rounded web developer.
Hobbies and Interests:
While taking 15 units this semester I have to schedule my hobbies and interest. On Fridays, I enjoy yoga and on T TH my cardio sessions. And of course, I enjoy MLB, especially post season play. The games are usually on the tv while I'm doing homework.
Let's get to know Dennis Whitaker - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
This class along with many others at SRJC deals with all the aspects you need to know about building and maintaining a web site or getting a job working in the one industry that has and will continue to grow for many years to come. So having this opportunity of a lifetime, to go back to school and learn this is simply fabulous.">
Previous computer experience:
I have a semi limited knowledge of computers. But learning more every day by taking classes like HTML, CSS style sheets, UNIX and Database. Have done a couple classes working on taking the A+ certification exam. Some knowledge of the how, the why, the what, makes servers work.
Hobbies and Interests:
Dog carting with my two Siberian Huskies, "Moon and Yuri". Once my shoulder completely heals from our last crash we can start up again.
Let's get to know Sarah Townsend - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am trying to complete various certifications in Graphic Design as well as move into doing it professionally. I really enjoy web design and would love to be able to do it full time.">
Previous computer experience:
I have been in technical support since 1996. I started with providing helpdesk support and have moved up through the years through desktop/laptop support and into server/network support. I am feeling the need for a change and truly enjoy web design. I have taken several classes at SRJC in the Adobe Creative Suite and HTML/CSS. Hopefully someday soon I can make the switch!
Hobbies and Interests:
Of course, I enjoy web design. I also enjoy cooking, gardening, reading and am very passionate about animal protection and causes. I have two beautiful calico sisters that are now almost 4 years old.
Let's get to know Jason Frye - 1387
Reason for taking the class:
I am taking this class to further my knowledge in this ever-evolving industry. Even though I’m in web production, and not content development, I think it never hurts to be as diversified as possible. I'm at a point in my life where I want to learn as much as I can about subject matter I enjoy and worry about the rest later.">
Previous computer experience:
I currently work in e-commerce as a Web Coordinator (production) for a retail clothing company. I also work part time remotely managing the social media channels for a gift basket company in Houston, Texas. Most of the work I do is on computers. The majority of that work is in company-built systems and in Microsoft Office. In my role in e-commerce production, it helps to know HTML and CSS, as well as basic design and marketing principles as I work with web content developers, web designers, marketing coordinators, inventory managers, store operations, etc.
I have a fair amount of experience with Photoshop. When I lived in Houston, I worked for the aforementioned gift basket company full time. I worked in every sector of the business, including photographing and using Photoshop to crop/alter images to make them prettier and more web-friendly. At my current full-time job, I help out our creative department from time to time with creating seasonal assets for inclusion in online experiences such as mix and match tools, gift guides, email marketing, etc. I have taken 3 Photoshop classes (as well as Illustrator 1) at SRJC as well as the prerequisite courses for this class, plus CSS3. I’m currently taking HTML5, Web Content Development, and a management class that I’m taking for a Web Project Management certificate.
Hobbies and Interests:
I like to stay busy and I love working and learning. I know that might sound a little bit bland, but it's the truth! When I'm not working, I like to either take time to recharge or surround myself with people with whom I can laugh be ridiculous :). I also like to visit my family in Tracy when I can - they're good people.
I’m looking forward to a great back-half of the fall semester!
Original Script by Philip Tardif for use by Linda Hemenway