Manga enthusiast draws his way to STC
Student of the Week: Stefan Ramirez
First-year South Texas College Student Stefan Ramirez loves to see drawings pop off the page of his favorite Manga, the world-famous Japanese style of comic book that comes to life on T.V. screens in the form of anime.
Some of his most elaborate art pieces are inspired by Manga posters or Japanese mechanic warriors in huge mobile suits, another phenomena popular on the distant island known for art and culture.
“I’ve always been a very big fan of anime,” Ramirez said. “It’s really hit home for me most of the time, especially My Hero Academia, which has hit home way too many times. There’s something about it, you can go in any direction, and anyway you want. You can get so creative and that’s fascinating to me.”Ramirez, who is pursing and Associate of Arts in the field of Graphic Arts, feels the same about his own education.
The Associate of Arts with a field of study in Graphic Arts is a program of study that combines studio courses in art and design with a broad range of liberal arts courses. The two-year degree program prepares students for creative positions in the workforce, and provide skills, values, and knowledge in the liberal and creative arts.
“I can go anywhere to be honest, any direction,” He said. “I can dip my foot in anything that I chose, there’s definitely a lot of potential.”
After he earns his associates degree, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then start on his career goals.
“Try anything and everything,” Ramirez said. “You don’t know what you like and don’t like it until you try it. It’s just a matter of going out of your comfort zone.”
“I plan on hopefully getting my bachelor’s and becoming a teacher and starting to create a manga (of his own).” He said.
Ramirez is grateful that STC is close to home at the right price point.
“Financially I wouldn’t have done it anywhere else to be honest,” Ramirez said. “Plus this is the closest place to me. I’m glad it has art classes and art associates.”
As a freshman he’s taken one class in the art building at STC’s Pecan Campus in McAllen, he enjoys the space given to learning artists.
“It’s pretty nice, you have a lot of room to work and there’s a lot of different art galleries that art here,” Ramirez said.
His message to peers and potential students is to try their hand before they settle in.
“Try anything and everything,” Ramirez said. “You don’t know what you like and don’t like it until you try it. It’s just a matter of going out of your comfort zone.”