Stephen Reaves
Breaking Down the Wall

Click on the thumbnails at right
to see Stephen's designs
for the films Dragonfly, Seven,
Frailty, and I Dreamed of Africa.

Graphic Design Department Director Stephen Reaves brings years of real-world expertise to FIDM. Formerly Vice President of Creative at New Line Cinema, Stephen is an award-winning art director and illustrator.

	“I love the synergy of watching a student's excitement when they get it and that light bulb turns on.”

Most recently he's developed key art for motion pictures including high-profile films like Seven and he's assisted in the development of art for Shine, The Sum of All Fears and Anger Management. Over the years, he's worked with both agencies and studios in his capacity as art director and freelancer. Stephen notes, "We're in the entertainment capital here in Los Angeles and if you want to get into fashion or entertainment, this is the place to be."

Although Stephen is a full time instructor and department head, he chooses to remain a major player in graphic design for the entertainment industry. Because he stays abreast of current industry developments, he's always on the cutting edge and his students reap the benefits of his insight and experience. Stephen says that the Graphic Design Department faculty members all continue to work while they teach, "They are high-end designers. Just because we're teaching doesn't mean we've sown our oats."

Before the studio pushed a
"star sell" for the poster for
K-19: The Widowmaker,
Stephen emphasized the film's
characters and concepts in his
initial series of mock-ups,
drawing his inspiration from
the Russian Constructivists
of the early 20th century.
Roll over the surrounding
thumbnails to contrast these
first designs with the studio-
influenced poster above them.

The Graphic Design department at FIDM is unique in that it "builds on concept." Stephen says many people can learn to draw, but not everyone can learn how to come up with ideas and then execute them successfully.

He brings a unique approach to learning design theory and technique. "I call it 'breaking down the wall,'" Stephen explains, "Anyone can be creative by understanding the process. The mystique that the graphic artist has to be excellent at drawing is wrong. What they have to be is a thinker. They have to be conceptual."

His goal is to help a student determine what it is they want to say and then work with them to come up with the most creative and exciting way to say it. Stephen especially enjoys that moment when a student "gets it." He provides them with the tools and the confidence to really become a professional graphic designer. Stephen says, "I love the synergy of watching a student's excitement when they get it and that light bulb goes off. I'm getting to find creative ways to teach and they're learning something new."

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication