Steven Cox

Orange Coast College

Career Roadmap

Steven's work combines: Design, Education, and Teaching / Mentoring

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Professor

I am a professor of graphic design at Orange Coast College.

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Graphic Design

Graduate Degree: Graphic Design

My path in life took a while to figure out

1.
I was a color, design and type kid before I knew what "graphic design" was.
2.
I went to a college that happened to have a great graphic design program.
3.
In my late 20's, I realized I didn't want to spend the rest of my life at a drafting table.
4.
I had always thought my design professors had a great job.
5.
So, I re-enrolled in school to get my Master's degree.
6.
I became friends with a guy who introduced me to the graphic design professor at OCC - Prof. Tennant.
7.
When a part-time position opened at OCC, I got the opportunity to teach there.
8.
Eventually (4 years later) a full-time position opened up, and I got the job!

THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I was fortunate to have a supportive family. My father was an Optometrist, so I had a strong personal expectation to be a doctor or something as well. It was very hard to turn away from my major, psychology, and switch to art. Good-bye "Dr. Steve".
How I responded:
Overcoming the noise, for me, was following joy. A beautiful letter brought me joy, an original visual solution to a design problem gave me joy. I am also religious (Christian), and I have never forgotten a quote by Mother Teresa: "Let's make something beautiful for God". What could be better? I believe I am pursuing what God has designed me for. Very little noise can stick when confronted with that.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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I went into debt to finish my Masters degree, and it took me years to pay if off. Slow, steady chipping away at it.

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