Student Spotlight: Nick Capostagno

RAF: Where are you from?
Nick: Gates, NY (Rochester, NY)

What made you decide on Nazareth?
When I was looking around for schools, Nazareth had the perfect program that encompasses what I need for the type of work I want to go into. The main appeal I had with Naz was the small class sizes. Having that personal connection with my professors has been beneficial for my skill growth and personal growth.

What are you majoring in?
Visual Communication Design. I have a minor in Digital Marketing Design as well.

What made you decide on that major?
The major focused on Graphic Design, advertising, and illustration which were the three things I wanted to progress in while attending school.

What do you like most about your major?
The professors in the Arts and Design department have helped me grow as a person. Each of them has shown me different skills and tips I need post-graduation.

What do you want to do when you graduate?
After I graduate, I want to focus on honing my skills and try to find a home at a local Rochester agency. I love Rochester and it has been my home for 21 years. I love this town and would love to show Rochester what I am capable of. Finding an agency where I can not only work but grow as well would be the best possible option for me.

What about your future are you most excited about?
I’m most excited to see where my degree and love for creative arts will take me. I can’t say for sure where I want to be or what I want to do, but I know that I’m ready to find a career and better myself with every passing day.

What about your future scares you the most?
Finding a job is my main concern and, of course, scares me like most college-age kids. It’s cliché but it’s true. I want to be able to use my degree and know I made the right decision going to school and improving my design skills was all worth it.

Where do you find inspiration?
All over! Rochester has some of the most creative people around and constantly seeing the various artistic platforms help get me inspired.

What designers, artists, illustrators, writers, or photographers do you admire most?
I love the Pop Art movement. It’s shaped my style greatly (I mean I love it so much I have a
Roy Lichtenstein piece on my arm). When it comes to contemporary designers, I follow Dave Cowles (illustrator), Laura Wilder (printmaker), Dellarious (illustrator and poster designer).

Who are your role models?
My professors and teachers. I say with love in my heart that every educator that I have had has helped shape me into the person I am today. I had extremely encouraging teachers in high school that led me to Nazareth. Naz professors have helped better my skills, while also helping me grow overall. I can say with confidence that my school experience was amazing and will always have a lasting impression on me and my future.

Who are your heroes?
Similar to my role models, my advisor, Steve Wehner, and my two high school art teachers, Nancy Swanson and Susan McAtee have been my heroes since day one. In high school, my art teachers sparked the love of art in me and directed me to look into continuing this love into higher education. Similarly, Steve has been my biggest cheerleader at Nazareth and has guided me to so many opportunities that I know I wouldn’t be able to have without him. All three have helped me grow and I’m forever grateful to them.

To see some of Nick’s work, check out his portfolio.