By Ashlee Larrison
GCU News Bureau
Josh and Jake Pineda are as similar as two brothers could be.
They're both graduates of Grand Canyon University’s College of Fine Arts and Production.
They love graphic design and photography and are working in the field.
They consider themselves introverts and have grown up with the same group of friends.
They even travel together.
So it was hardly surprising that when Jake graduated in 2014 with a degree in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design, he got Josh interested in the program. Josh then earned the same degree in 2016.
Jake had known since high school that he wanted to pursue a career where he could utilize his love of photography but also learn more about web design. He wanted to attend a private university in the Valley that had a web design program, and when he found GCU it was a match made in heaven.
For Josh, seeing his brother flourish at GCU made the college-selection process simple.
“He was already in the program, he said he liked it and I already knew I wanted to go into design, so I felt like that was a good place to go,” Josh said.
During the years in which their undergrad journeys overlapped, the brothers would find themselves spending their breaks between classes hanging out in Josh’s dorm since Jake was a commuter student.
They no longer can hang out together regularly because they live in different cities.
Jake, who stayed in Phoenix, is a web designer for Endurance International Group and has a side business, Jake Pineda Photography. It’s a path made easier by his experience at GCU.
“It definitely prepared me, like big time,” he said. “Before I was at GCU, I had the very basic knowledge of the design software that I was using, but then by the time I left there, I was like super confident with all the software. It definitely helped me out a lot when going into the work field.”
Josh has made a life for himself in Los Angeles working as a graphic designer at CAA Brand Studio, a talent agency. Like his older brother, Josh spends his free time working on his photography and has submitted some of his work for brands and editorial publications. And, like Jake, his time at GCU gave him a good introduction into the world of design.
“When I got into the field, there really wasn’t anything that I felt like I couldn’t do,” he said. “There are still things that I need to master, but I felt pretty prepared.”
The brothers also work on their photography skills when they travel together and have found that, despite having different styles, they still enjoy exploring those skills.
Both brothers say that they best advice that they can give to aspiring digital designers within the College of Fine Arts and Production is to be patient, network, and work toward your dream job while also making time to complete projects that bring you happiness.
Contact Ashlee Larrison at (602) 639-8488
or [email protected]
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