How I started in visual arts
I first arrived at Northern Illinois University back in 1993. Undecided on a major, I wanted to pursue an art degree with an emphasis in photography. However, my dad urged me towards a technical degree, suggesting I become a chemist or pursue a similar technical field. I did follow his advice and enrolled in a technical program.
While in college, I received my very first computer. A friend who could obtain copied programs gifted me a CD with an assortment of software, including Adobe Photoshop v3. It was this program that sparked my interest in visual art, graphic design, and web page design, and I became instantly hooked.
Web design
Back when I received my first computer, we relied on the NIU dial-up system to access the internet off campus. It was the dawn of the commercial internet, slow and sluggish by today’s standards. Despite the limitations, I discovered a fascination with HTML and web page design. Looking back, it’s amazing how simple creating basic web pages was back then. I even put my newfound skills to use by designing web pages for a professor and an Industrial Safety group he led. On a personal level, I created my own web pages to showcase my Photoshop creations.
