DESIGN CLASS
"IF YOU DO IT RIGHT,
IT WILL LAST FOREVER."
–Massimo Vignelli
DESIGN CLASS
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
CALIFORNIA STATE UNNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
INSTRUCTOR: NICK LONGO OF LONGO DESIGNS
WE CRUSH THE QUIET CLASS ROOM SYNDROME.
REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCE
We treat class like a design agency. Projects are designed to help students understand commercial art with a mixture of brief-driven challenges and blue-sky, 100% original branding. We tackle the business side as well, covering budgets, networking and pitch presentations.
FAST PACED ENVIRONMENT
Our pace is much faster than normal with 30-minute challenges, one week projects and efficient project management. Students are encouraged to be productive without compromising creativity and accuracy.
INSPIRING GUESTS
AND WORKSHOPS
Local or global, creative professionals are invited to share their stories, experience and passion with the students. Live or via Skype, we've had some of the brightest names in design; marketing and business inspire each class leaving lasting impressions!
MEET NICK
MY STORY
I'm a creative executive with over 20 years in the design and retail industry. I own and operate a branding agency specializing in product launches, corporate identity, packaging and retail executions. In addition I cohost the
Deeply Graphic Design Cast, a design driven podcast specializing in all aspects of graphic design.
MY VISION
Four years ago, I started my teaching career as a graphic design instructor. I've taken my years of experience and built a design class that cultivates design rock stars, ready to tackle an ever-changing creative industry. My goal is to show them that there is no "one-way" to make it out there. Everyone has a different path to success and career fulfillment. I encourage them to think for themselves yet collaborate in teams to give them a taste of their future careers.
MY GOAL
This is my passion project. I teach to help each student become the best possible creative they can be. I want them to leave college with confidence and vigor. No egos or no false pretenses. Hopefully they have more real-world knowledge to go out there and be a valuable asset to any company looking for the perfect design candidate.
PHOTOS
Photoshoots
Workshops
Guest Visits
In Class
REACTION
"If you are serious about graphic design, Nick is the man to take! He is very knowledgeable and cares a lot about his students. He wants everyone to succeed and improve on their design skills. Each project I did for his class went into my portfolio. Please take him, you will not regret it."
"The best class ever. The fact he can incorporate school work and student development is amazing. I feel like I'm actually learning rather than trying to pass the class."
"Professor Longo is passionate about graphic design and sharing his knowledge and experience with his students. He goes above and beyond to help students with their work. He is one of the most encouraging and real professors I have ever had."
"Nick really cares about his students. He takes the time out of his weekend to give constructive criticism. I took his class expecting to get one portfolio piece and walked away with three portfolio pieces. Take his class and you will not regret. He is one of the best professors I took at CSUN."
"Nick is great and the projects are fun! He gives you the criteria, but lets you go in the direction you choose. He has contacted design/ marketing professionals to speak with us, whether it was them coming to class or Skype. He encourages you in doing more and wants you to be successful in this business. Definitely recommend 110%, you won't regret it."
"This professor has exceeded my expectations for graphic design 3. Longo makes you work hard on your projects and the final results are something you'd be proud of and portfolio worthy. He gets really into the ideas you come up for with each project & help you along the way. He is professor you should definitely take if you want someone challenging."
"Best Design class I have ever taken, this class is a must take! Nick really takes the time to make sure your work looks as good as it can and that you are as prepared as you can for the real world! Created some really awesome pieces for my portfolio and had some good times while doing it. Very professional, fun, productive class!!!"
