RAFFLES SERVES UP YUMMY HOT CUSTARD

Hot Custard was this year’s theme for our Annual Graduation Exhibition. Graduation was extended beyond the actual ceremony into a 2-day event that celebrated graduation and showcased student work. Graduates' families were also provided families with a “connected” quality experience.

The College is proud to further support our student achievements through the graduating exhibition, promoting their work to industry, providing networking opportunities and helping with employment opportunities.

Raffles College’s Hot Custard Graduate Exhibition Opening Night Party was launched to great acclaim on Tuesday, July 15.

With a fire dancer, pumping music, champagne and a living “custard yellow” statue, the 350 guests were warmed to the core.

Praise for the exhibition of more than 50 works was effusive. From the creatively diverse graphic design works, to the fashion portfolios and stunning final pieces, the ingenious interior design works, standout photographs and multimedia works, the exhibition, which continued until Friday July 25, was a feast for the senses.

Associate Professor Madeline Lester, immediate past president of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers, spoke to the graduates of the importance of design in our lives and inspired them to continue on their chosen creative paths.

The graduating students were all ecstatic with the event and even brought along friends from other schools to share in the fun.

In a touching highlight, one of the College’s most successful graphic design students and the winner of last year’s Kinokuniya Digital Art Prize, Oat Montien, presented Raffles College’s CEO Ron Newman with one of his artworks.

Oat told Professor Newman: “It's my pleasure to give back something to the college after all these years of great education.”

Hot Custard enjoyed a steady flow of interested viewers since while open to the public from July 16-25 July. 

Graduate Exhibition ‘Hot Custard’ highlights:

• Graduate work displayed on the opening night to a wide range of audiences including family and friends
• Exhibition was open to the public
• Well-renowned design industry guest speaker – Associate Professor Madeline Marie Lester
• A booklet (annual) of graduate work
• Graduate business cards
• Networking with design professionals
• An on-line exhibition
• Sponsorship including 2DayFM

Fun entertainment for the opening night included:
• DJ
• Fire dancer
• Live statue
• Sausage sizzle, drinks and nibbles

RAFFLES ITALIA EXCURSION 2008

The Group (front row from left to right): Bob,Tifana, Utari, Jacquline, Oliva, Yenny, Jess, Duncan

(back row): Gordon, Eugene, Tanya, Pina, Camilla, Brooke, Alex

Departure (April 12th 2008)

After much anticipation, and some intricate negotiations with the Italian Consulate, the first Italian excursion under the Raffles banner set out. Headed by Dr. Bob Chung and part-time lecturer Gordon Waters thirteen fashion and interior design students jammed into the Cathay flight from Sydney to Rome, via Hong Kong. They arrived tired, but enthusiastic, at the hotel on the 13th. The next five days were spent exploring the many sights of Rome.

The focus of the trip was to address the western art historical canon from the pre-Renaissance right through the Baroque and into early Mannerism. There was also, where possible, an intention to visit as many contemporary design sites as possible.

The Oculus of the Pantheon

In Rome, the standard sites were explored including a long day to the Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon and a side trip to view Michelangelo's Moses at San Pietro in Vincoli

Other stops included a day trip to Pompeii, a visit to the Catacombs, and a trip to the Vatican museum.

Tifana and Bob at St. Peter's Square	At the Colosseum

Most of the students were unfamiliar with Italy and no one had been exposed to so much of the historical background of the famous city. Many found the size slightly daunting, but the central location of the hotel and peoples' willingness to explore quickly resolved any hesitancy.

Stairs and more stairs...leading to San Pietro in Vincoli. Rome

Gordon and Bob had an interesting first train ride to Naples on the Eurostar, realising only when the conductor arrived to check tickets that reservations were needed on most trains in Italy. It was an expensive mistake. Unfortunately, it took us a while to get the hang of it, but eventually we sorted it out. Despite the size and general chaos of Rome the consensus was that the city was exciting and the time spent there rewarding.

Out for Dinner

Duncan Johns and his female entourage (Camilla, Jessica, Alex and Brooke) had a foray out to a Rome nightclub that turned into an eventful evening.

On April 18th, we departed Rome and took the train to Florence where we checked in to Hotel Patrizia, our home for the next thirteen days. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, it served as out base for day trips as well as the multitude of museums and churches full of fascinating art throughout Florence itself. Our journeys included trips to Pisa, Sienna, Milan, Modena, and Venice.

Venice Girls

The last trip was perhaps the most successful despite a first attempt that had to be aborted, due to the death of a train driver in Ferrara. Everyone was extremely patient that day as we spent roughly six hours on trains, and only about four experiencing anything interesting. In Venice the pastries and Piazza San Marco were the highlights, as was a gondola ride taken by five of the students.

The Canals of Venice	Holding up the Tower in Pisa

Shopping.

It is impossible to write about the trip without mentioning this all-important phenomenon. There was plenty of it, particularly upon reaching Florence and the attraction and abundance of reasonably priced goods at the market. Before it was possible to say "euro" it seemed most everyone had a beautiful leather jacket in which to walk the streets.

The other cultural element much commented upon was the food. While some were eating an assortment of meals at trattorias, it seemed that roughly a week into the trip that many were getting tired of pizza, panini, and pasta, especially those who are used to a fare comprised mostly of Asian food. Ask Tifana, she'll tell you!

Other events included a great night out celebrating Brooke's 20th birthday at a Spanish restaurant to the sounds of a mariachi singer, and a soccer game in the park.

Brooke celebrates her birthday

Hamming it up
The artistic and cultural component of the trip was rich, with a heavy emphasis on the development of painting from the quattrocento, through to the heightened naturalism of the high Renaissance. Bob placed a particular emphasis on the differences between Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

The Duomo, Sienna

There was a visit to the art school I was an alumni of called Studio Art Centers International, as well as Domus Academy, a highly respected design school in Milan. Certain students are considering further study at these institutions or others in Italy, as either undergraduates, or post-graduates.

A night at the Trevi

Where Now? (Pompeii)

As is the case with trips of this nature, it is after one is home that the true benefits of the experience sink in. While there were difficult moments during the trip-travel always presents challenges, group travel even more so- I think everyone involved learned a lot about an ancient culture and its artistic legacy, had an enjoyable time, and were able to discover things about themselves they were unaware of before. Both Bob and I were glad to get to know everyone better and enjoyed the trip. We are looking forward to our next adventure in 2009.

By Gordon Walters
Lecturer

Anyone for Paris, southern France, and Barcelona?

Aldrich discovers the right formula for success

Starting out as a chemical operator, mixing batches of highly toxic and dangerous chemicals, is an unusual way to get into a career in graphic design, but that's exactly what Aldrich Obach, a 21-year-old student at Raffles College of Design and Commerce, did. Aldrich is in his final year of a Bachelor of Design with a major in Graphic Design at Raffles College and has already completed a Certificate IV in Design. He says that he loves the study at Raffles College and has never looked back.

Aldrich, originally from the Philippines, moved to Blair Athol in 1994 and finished Year 10 at Ingleburn High School, near Campbelltown. He tried out various odd jobs before working as a chemical operator in Botany Bay for two years. At this point, he decided his passion for creativity and graphic design was not being satisfied.

``I loved my hobby of drawing from an early age,'' he says. ``I happened to see a college advertisement on television a couple of years ago. It just hit me. I applied to the College, got accepted and quit my job.

``I remember a college staff member at my interview saying that if I had the passion and the drive to succeed, I would.

``I've always remembered that.''

The decision to start studying at Raffles College changed Aldrich's life.

He says: ``I'm now enjoying what I'm doing and following my dreams. I did my best when I started and now I've nearly finished a degree.

``As a student here, you have great influences, ranging from college academics who are professionals in their respective fields, through to teachers from industry.''

To earn money, Aldrich has worked as a courier and, more recently, done freelance graphic design work.

``I've already been able to do a little freelancing through Raffles' industry networks. It's been a great experience and I'm now getting referral work,'' he says.