Future covered by student artist

Every now and again something comes along that must be noticed. When you use that something to register for classes, it's impossible to miss. Considering the catalogue guides many students to academic destinations, it's only fair that the cover be created in that genre.

"It speaks of the future and the millennium change," said Armando Contreras, executive assistant to the president.

The cover for the schedule of classes, with its number laden, futuristic, golden spiral design is the first cover in a long time to be so bold, according to many people.

"They've been safer in the past," said Tor Hovind, associate professor of art.

The goal was to create the cover using the Cal State Long Beach Odyssey theme, reaching for the future in a dynamic way, said graphic design major John Tso, the designer of the cover.

"I worked with the administrators to create the design and this is what came out," Tso said.

One of those administrators was Marilyn Jensen, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of university academic programs.

"It was something to go with the Odyssey theme," she said.  "He did a creative cover.  I think he did a great job."

An artist at heart, Tso claims his parents had a hard time accepting his decision to go into the world of art. Tso's father, an engineer, and mother, a dentist, wanted him to choose a safer route such as taking over the dental practice, he said.

"They said, "you're going to be a starving artist," Tso said, laughing. "But, you see something shinny and you've got to go for it."

In his pursuit of higher education, Tso considered more expensive and prestigious schools such as the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena but is glad he chose the program at CSULB.

"It really is second to none," Tso said.

Seemingly modest by nature, with a hint of cockiness, Tso got into the visual communications program at an almost unheard of 19-years old with a very extensive portfolio, and has continued to impress his professors.

"I think John is very talented, innovative and follow-through oriented," said Thomas Hall, professor of art.  "In designing the cover, John was trying to represent that we're going toward a cyber world."

Hall says students in the program at CSULB are behind high-profile designs such as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific logo and their works have been featured in professional publications such as CMYK and How Magazine.

"We have grads who are teaming with Saatchi & Saatchi and Lander and Associates" said Hall.

Tso, who works for a design company now, says he can't wait for the day when he doesn't have to work in the 9-to-5 world.  A far cry from his first on-campus job, pushing a hot dog cart around.

"It was great," he said, referring to the physical, no-brainer job. "The thought of 9-to-5 completely horrifies me.  The day is a blur from nine to five, then you get back home and you're too tired."

Despite wanting to create new designs and logos for companies, Tso said he would like to do social work someday and help people.  As president of the junior design class, Tso liked making changes.

"I think it's important," Tso said.  "As president, with the help of my classmates, we were able to do a lot of positive work."

The 9-to-5 world that frightens him should only do so for a little while, according to Archie Boston, advertising design professor.

"With John, the sky is the limit," Boston said.  "He's a leader and could be head of corporate design or creative director."

Looking at Tso, 6-foot, well groomed and sporting a good build, it's hard to imagine the dark-haired artist felt like an outcast, not fitting into any one thing.  In high school, Tso played football, basketball and ran track, which he said was not really his thing.  However, Tso loves sports and working out and feels that he doesn't really fit into the stereotypical artistic mold.

"I'm into a lot of different things, and I think that's why I like designers," he said. "They're artistic, but then they're businesslike and into a lot of things. I'm really glad I found a place."