Alexis Collective Continues

Posted by Franco Romero in Graphic Design

Alexis Collective: Rufino Medrano, Caleb Ortega and Ronnie Garcia gather in the new stairwell of their new design space. Photo by Jason Stilgbouer

Beginning this semester, Alexis Hall is no longer the designated workplace for the Graphic Design and Digital Art departments at SFUAD. However, that hasn’t stopped the on-campus organization, the ‘Alexis Collective’ from keeping the name by which it’s always gone.

“That’s where it started,” said the president of the digital arts portion of the Collective, Ronnie Garcia. “We don’t want to change our name every time we change meeting places. We want to be known for our art.”

Garcia wants the Collective known for its work—not where it meets. Photo by Jason Stilgebouer

The Alexis Collective was brought together by the president of the graphic design half of the group, Caleb Ortega, during his sophomore year. He describes it as “a group of students who want to make things happen for themselves.”

The Collective is responsible for putting together the numerous ‘Ephemera’ shows that have been featured on campus. Ortega and Garcia have been organizing everything on their own for the majority of the group’s existence, and are hoping to change things up a bit this semester, making the group more about collaboration. The goal is to get more of the students to take on responsibility in the Collective’s activities, such as workshops.

The first meeting for the group will take place within the next few weeks, where it will be planning out future shows, including ‘Ephemera 6,’ and an as-yet-unnamed “themed” show. Meetings will be held occasionally as members see fit throughout the year. Alexis Collective is eager to get the word out about its upcoming projects, and the opportunities that await those who join the growing number of students who contribute to their endeavors.

Caleb Ortega hopes the group will foster professionalism for its members. Photo by Jason Stilgbouer

“You can’t just wait to be handed prompts,” says Ortega. “A creative person should always be creating work to show.”

Ortega and Garcia are both eager for the Collective to be a place where students can showcase their talents. This year, they look forward to creating more of a community and, in particular, Garcia wants to jumpstart a relationship between the Graphic Design and Digital Arts students.

“Graphic Design has been able to connect with the film department, with creative writing, but Digital Arts has been kind of hidden in the shadows,” she says. “I think if the Digital Arts students can step up and show their talents and what they’re capable of, I think they can help not only other students but themselves in ways they didn’t think they could before.”

Medrano sorts through all his artwork on the computer. Photo by Jason Stilgbouer

Ortega concurs with, “One thing I’m really excited about for this year is the Collective becoming more communal, because up until this point it’s just kind of been me and Ronnie overseeing everything.”

This month, Graphic Design student Rafino Medrano was selected by Ortega as vice president of the Graphic Design half of Alexis Collective. Like his peers, Medrano is eager for students to take up leadership roles, and for the group to jumpstart frequent collaboration between departments.

“Our eventual goal is to collaborate with everyone and get every department together to create a huge collective,” Medrano says.

While the focus of Alexis Collective is on Graphic Design and Digital Arts, students of all departments are invited to collaborate in the various shows and events the Collective will be putting together. A Facebook page exists for Alexis Collective, which students can request to join. Anyone who expresses interest will be included.

Ultimately, what Ortega seeks most for Alexis Collective is a sense of professionalism gained and shared among its members, which will assist them in their future efforts.

“If we want to do something that requires us to work with professionals, I want us to have the appearance and demeanor of professionals,” Ortega says.

You can keep up with Alexis Collective by following the group on Instagram and Tumblr.