Three graduates of JCCC's graphic design program sit for an interview on the 16^th floor of Bernstein-Rein Advertising with windows that afford a 180-degree view of the Plaza. Just 10 years after graduating with their associate's degrees, Anthony Magliano is the interactive team leader and Brandon Wilson and Adam Seitz are senior interactive art directors with Bernstein-Rein, one of the top three advertising agencies in Kansas City and one of the largest independently owned advertising agencies in the Unites States. Clients include McDonald's, Beauty Brands, Hostess Brands, PetSmart and Farmland.

Besides compiling portfolios that include national ADDY Awards, Yahoo!'s "Big Idea Chair" Award that recognizes outstanding work in interactive media and an international Webby Award honoring excellence on the Internet, the three go to work every day and find passion in the creativity of their chosen field. In fact, this young breed of interactive media professionals are the ones who are defining and growing the field, constantly adding new elements of technology and design.

"Our team creates an interactive experience for our clients through social media, Web design, sound design and motion graphics," Magliano said. "We create the digital brand for Bernstein-Rein's clients."

The three credit JCCC for a solid foundation in communication and interactive design providing necessary equipment, peer review, workshops and faculty who add real-world experience.

"The program brings in adjunct teachers who give students exposure to the many directions you can take in graphic design whether it is interactive media, writing, photography or art. While the field is all creative, the JCCC program allows you to get a feel for what direction you want to gravitate toward," Wilson said.

"The classes were incredible. JCCC provided a really strong visual arts background that we have been able to apply to everything else we do, a field which is constantly evolving," Magliano said.

In interactive design, the men say you prove yourself by your portfolio and the projects you have worked on. It's also about keeping up with your area of expertise, like motion graphics and animation, by absorbing inspiration on blogs, YouTube and Twitter, and keeping up with the latest technology.

"We are forging a new path every day at work. We watch the leading trends and indicators, but we try to invent our own paths," Seitz said.

Magliano joined Bernstein-Rein in 2002. He then recruited Wilson and Seitz to his interactive team, plus another JCCC graduate, Derek Badksy. He also recruited JCCC alum Nathaniel Cooper, senior designer/art director, Bernstein-Rein.

The group believes jobs are out there for new graduates. There are a lot of smaller design shops popping up and in-house opportunities.

"The Kansas City creative community is really strong and building," Magliano said. "Just because there are so many more ways and methods of advertising today, there is more work available."

Their advice to aspiring graphic design artists is to build your portfolio, attend AIGA Kansas City meetings, go to First Fridays, see what else is out there and find a job entry-point through an internship.

"I remind students that there is life after school," Seitz said. "The more you push yourself, the stronger person you'll be. When you are out there trying to sell yourself and your work, remember someone is buying your body of work and also your personality and approach to doing things. It's important to differentiate yourself."