Alumni show the love

Artist, writer, and creative director of Hologram Studio Larissa Erin Greer is proud to share her expertise with current students of the college. As an alumni student mentor for more than six years, she supports interdisciplinary undergraduate students in finding their voice. Greer is in her second year of teaching Interaction Design (IXD) Professional Practice, also coordinating the IXD Junior Review this semester with her teaching partner, Jess Wen.

“I love supporting and learning from our incredible students as they work on groundbreaking new ideas,” said Greer. “Investing my time and energy back into the CCA community has a multiplying effect; I feel the impacts are always greater than the input.”

Greer says that she enjoys being a part of a community where creativity, innovation, sustainability, and social practices are integrated so thoughtfully into everyday artistic practice. And the best part, she says, is that there are so many ways to be involved, from mentoring and portfolio reviews, job fairs and panel discussions, curating shows or hosting studio tours, and more.

“It’s always a lot of fun, and it really does recharge your artistic energy,” adds Greer. “The connections I have made with students, staff, and faculty at CCA are unlike any other—we share the same vision for a bold, beautiful, equitable future, and support each other wholeheartedly in doing the work to bring this vision to life.”

Two-time Grammy Award-winning creative director, author, and curator Lawrence Azerrad runs his own studio, Macroscopic, yet he still manages to find time to give back to CCA in a myriad of ways. As an advocate for the college, he frequently recommends CCA to colleagues and friends looking to partner with a hub for innovation.

“I always lead with my enthusiasm for what CCA has become,” says Azerrad. “The thriving creative community and the type of learning it fosters make it easy to advocate for CCA from the heart.”

In recent collaborations, Azerrad has built the unique program, Designing the Future of Music, alongside Dean of Design Helen Maria Nugent, Associate Professor of Graphic Design Rachel Berger, and Assistant Chair of Graphic Design Sara Dean. As a creative director in the music industry, Azerrad recognized opportunities for design innovation to help foster stronger connections between music and culture.

“CCA has been gracious and encouraging in welcoming the challenge of the program, workshopping it with me, and providing space in the curriculum for students to discover and invent in the area. Ultimately, the program transformed how I view possibility in design today and approach it in my own work, making CCA a place that I still learn from, which is a pretty nice benefit to continue to receive from a school that I graduated from decades ago,” says Azerrad.

As the design profession evolves, Azerrad continues to look to the college community at CCA for inspiration and learning. He credits CCA for consistently redefining what it means to be a responsible and meaningful creative in the world today.

“I try my best to give back, not just in co-creating programs with the school but also by simply being a good professional, and as a result, being a good ambassador for CCA. My wife and I also give what we can to the capital campaigns, but supporting CCA can take several forms, all of which are rewarding.”

For Azerrad, giving to CCA isn’t a one-way gift. The continued relationship with the school has helped shape who he is as a designer today; he has even been invited back to speak at the design lecture series about his book, Supersonic: The Design and Lifestyle of Concorde.

“It’s been a professional point of pride to be able to reference the classes, lectures, and other events produced in collaboration with CCA,” said Azerrad when asked why the CCA community is so special. “The people. The creative excellence. The way that CCA has grown not just in scale and facilities, but has been a leader in redefining the role of design for good in our society and that it consistently pushes the boundaries of learning, experimentation, and equity in creativity.”

As an active member of the Bay Area artist community, alum Liz Hernandez continues to stay connected with CCA through student engagement. In 2023, she was invited to be a guest presenter for a Painting and Drawing BFA dialogue, and most recently, she shared her background and her “unusual career path” with First Year Program students.

“I've noticed that students find it very valuable when you share your story with them because, often, they don't know exactly what will happen after graduation. When we can share our paths with them, they begin to realize the many possible avenues available, and graduating isn't as scary anymore. You can answer their questions and sometimes give advice; they listen to us because we've been in their position and can empathize,” says Hernandez.

As an international student from Mexico, Hernandez was able to meet people from across the country as well as from other countries during her time at the college, which made her experience here very special.

“I was able to meet people who were also far away from home. We bonded over this a lot. CCA was very supportive of the international student community! I always valued how diverse points of view came together during classes,” says Hernandez.

After graduating from CCA in 2012, Larry Peifer continues to stay involved with the college as much as possible. He frequently attends interior design reviews as a guest critic and has joined the Alumni Campus Planning Committee to help with the strategy around CCA’s expanding campus, opening in fall 2024.

Peifer now calls New York City home, but he continues to make time to attend meetings remotely. Many CCA alums in NYC connect through alumni events as well, he says. He also donates to both the Hank Dunlop and David Meckel scholarships, two individuals who Peifer continues to see as “instrumental mentors” to this day.

“I had such a wonderful experience at CCA, and the college has done so much for me,” says Peifer. “Staying connected is my way of giving back. Education does not end when you receive your degree. It is lifelong. Maintaining and continuing CCA's creative vibrance is very important to me and staying involved and supporting the college is how you do that after you graduate.”

For Peifer, giving back doesn’t just feel good—it also supports his professional success as he remains connected to CCA’s tight-knit community of creatives.

“CCA is a hotbed of innovation and creativity that is always a step ahead. The institution grapples with and tackles complex issues by embracing change, new ideas, and diverse voices. There have been so many times throughout my career where my connection to CCA has opened new pathways to opportunities, people, and perspectives.”