Raymond Nestor had worked in IT for a couple of years before coming to Canada as a live-in caregiver.
Before long, he decided he wanted to do something different with his life. He had always enjoyed sketching and design, so he started looking into graphic design courses.
He wanted quality training that was flexible enough to fit around his work commitments. He enroled in the graphic design certificate at Herzing College and never looked back.
Shortly after graduating, he landed a job as an artist at The Sandbox, a gaming ecosystem that allows users to create and monetize virtual worlds and experiences.
We caught up with Raymond to learn about his experience in Herzing’s program and how it changed the course of his career.
Here’s his full story.
Q. Raymond, can you share a bit about your background? What were you doing before heading back to school?
Raymond: I came to Canada as a live-in caregiver, although I graduated computer science back home and have two years of systems administrator experience.
Q. What inspired you to choose the graphic design program at Herzing?
Raymond: Sketching had been a hobby of mine since I was young, so I decided to improve it by taking a graphic design course.
I chose Herzing because I wanted a college that was both flexible and affordable, and the feedback and reviews I read online were very positive.
The facilities were fantastic and the location was very close to where I live, so it was an easy commute.
I managed to complete the course while working full time in the afternoons—I’m very proud of that.
An example of Raymond's work at Sandbox
Q. What was your overall experience in the program? How was the instructor, course material, and general vibe in class?
Raymond: The program was an excellent stepping-stone to my new career. Herzing helps new immigrants like me find financial help for the course, which was a big plus.
One of the things I liked most about my time at Herzing was the atmosphere, which was very friendly. The teachers and the staff were so helpful.
The instructor really knew how to connect to students and provided us with lots of hands-on experience to better understand the concepts. We even posted our artwork on the wall to give us the inspiration and determination to succeed.
Q. Tell us about an instructor who really impacted your learning experience.
Raymond: Miguel Suarez pushed us hard through the semester. I was in his introductory graphic design course, and at first I felt that no matter how much time and work I put into studying, I would not do well in the course.
But my perception changed because of his passion and the way he encouraged his students. It was clear that he really cared.
Example of an asset Raymond created for Sandbox
Q. What new skills did you learn in the graphic design program?
Raymond: I learned a lot about Photoshop, Illustrator, basic web design, and animation.
The most important things I learned were how to create ideas on my own, how to blend colours, and how to communicate with clients.
Example of Raymond’s work at Sandbox
Q. Tell us about your current role.
Raymond: I’ve been working as an artist at The Sandbox Game since 2018.
Miguel Suarez and some of the students introduced it to me. We were doing some 3D modelling through Photoshop at the time, and some Illustrator, so I decided to apply after graduation.
I was hired and have already done hundreds of assets for Sandbox.
Example of an asset Raymond did for Sandbox
Q. What challenges have you had to deal with, if any, in continuing your education?
Raymond: As a newcomer to Canada, my top challenge was paying tuition fees. Money can be a huge stressor when paying for education. However, Herzing walked me through many payment options, including government aid to help me pay for the program.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is considering Herzing College?
Raymond: College can be overwhelming at first, but there are practical steps you can take to get a handle on things and enjoy the experience.
Herzing provided me with the tools, ideas, and encouragement I needed to succeed on my own. Don’t be afraid to keep trying new things as you enter this new phase of your life.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN TRAINING AT HERZING
The Graphic Design Certificate from Herzing College takes just 10 months to complete.
The program covers print production, animation, web design, and much more.
Students get hands-on training in design software and graduate with a professional portfolio that showcases their abilities. They also complete a 6-week internship at a local company.
Need more info? An Admissions Advisor can answer all your questions about course schedules, costs, financial aid options, and more.
Click below to get full details on the program and chat live with an Admissions Advisor. We’re here to help!
