David Plakon

Q: What did you do after graduation and what are you doing now?

After graduation, I was working at a coffee shop for a few months when Professor Wolek told me about a new recording studio opening in town. I attended a tour of the facility with his class and a few months later, after some fortunate circumstances, I was running the place. I have worked my way into ownership and have been managing North Avenue Studios for the last 4 years.

Q: Did you ever see yourself doing what you are doing now when you took your first Digital Arts course @ Stetson?

Yes, working in the music industry has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I began experimenting with recording at 13 and have been doing it consistently ever since. The Digital Arts program at Stetson armed me with the useful techniques and unique artistic vision required to cut it in the industry.

Q: What advice do you have for someone taking their first course right now?

The creative industry is highly competitive. Use your coursework to learn the skills of the trade, but do not expect skills alone to find you a job. Use any time not devoted to school trying to work your way into your field. Internships, freelance work, and excessive networking are your friends. Nothing is as valuable as a stellar portfolio.

Q: What’s the best thing you learned studying Art @ Stetson?

The best thing I learned at Stetson DIGA was how to think critically and creatively. Creative work can be maddening because you can get lost in it, losing perspective of the project as a whole. The DIGA program taught how to effectively utilize my peers to maintain a consistent vision, how to find and use inspiration to keep things fresh, and, most importantly, how to work hard even when you’re not feeling it.