Beyond the Books: Careers and Perspectives in Visual Design event at the Fort Lauderdale Campus

Guest Speakers: Designer Sharmaine Bowen + Intermedia Artist Richard Vergez, Mad Arts Founder + CEO, Marc Aptakin

Friday, Oct. 17 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in HE 131 (MetroLAB).

Gain insights into the paths a career in visual design can take and hear perspectives on the future of the field. Panelists, including an independent designer, a founder, and an in-house UX designer, will share their experiences, challenges, and advice for the next generation of practitioners.

Sponsored by Broward Campus Life, Broward Student Government, Career Center, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Student Co-Facilitators

• SCMS - Halie Ojukwu
• Graphic Design - Nick Patriarca

---

3 Panelists Presentations:

1. Graphic Design - Sharmaine Bowen — https://sharmainebowen.com
2. SCMS - Richard Vergez — https://cargocollective.com/richardvergez
3. SCMS - Marc Aptakin — https://www.yeswearemad.com/agency

---

Sharmaine Bowen (She/Her), a South Florida-based designer specializing in UI/UX and brand identity.

"I am currently employed at Booz Allen Hamilton as a senior consultant, specializing in design systems and accessibility as an enterprise UI/UX designer. Previously, was the lead designer at DAMN GOOD Agency, a boutique marketing and advertising agency, where I developed creative solutions for clients in a variety of industries using an analytical approach. When I'm not staring at a screen designing, you can still find my face glowing from playing a video game or researching my latest obsession. Other times, I'll be exploring new South Florida restaurants and cafes."

https://sharmainebowen.com

---

About Richard Vergez:

Richard Vergez is a Cuban-American visual and intermedia artist. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, worked and lived in New York as a member of the Brooklyn Collage Collective, and currently works and resides in South Florida. His background in graphic design and audio/visual composition is reflected through his hand-made collaged works on paper and mixed media experiments. Vergez’s imagery combines both human and technological elements that relate to ideas surrounding an ever-evolving modern dystopian identity. His most recent concentration is Intermedia art.

He has exhibited in Brooklyn, London, Chicago, Miami, Sydney, Los Angeles, Stekene, and Fort Lauderdale. His collage illustrations have been published in the New York Times, The Guardian, and the Atlantic.

Vergez’s various music projects explore eclectic sound montage in different facets. Having founded the Noir Age label in 2017, he releases music by artists from around the world on cassette and vinyl in limited editions housed in mostly handmade artwork. He is currently active recording and performing solo under the moniker Night Foundation.

His collaborations with Cuban choreographer Ana Mendez extend the sonic palette to score modern dance pieces, which have been presented at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami Art Museum, MoCA, Bas Fisher Invitational, and the De La Cruz Collection. He has also composed and performed live commissioned scores for silent films such as Nosferatu at Savor Cinema, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at Coral Gables Art Cinema, Broken Barriers at The Betsy Hotel, and Harry Smith films at Mindy Soloman Gallery.

https://cargocollective.com/richardvergez

Installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAMlLBaN5Jc

Richard Vergez at Mad Arts, May 2, 2024 - YouTube
Episode 6 of Sounds From the City features Richard Vergez. Back in late January Vergez participated in the Ignite Art & Light Festival at Mad Arts. He perfor...