New Web Design & Interactive Media Academic Director Joins The Art Institute of California — Sunnyvale 

(October 3, 2011) Today Patrick Baird started the Fall 2011 quarter as the Academic Director for the Web Design & Interactive Media program at The Art Institute of California — Sunnyvale.

With Web sites now necessities for most businesses today, Web design training teaches students how to meet that demand. The program teaches students how to create Web content, utilize user-friendly design, produce high-quality programs that are functional and interactive, and work with clients. As Academic Director, Baird will oversee the program, curriculum and faculty. In addition, Baird will serve as Academic Director for Foundation Studies and Graphic Design.

Prior to coming to The Art Institutes, Baird was a creative professional who has held positions at Apple, Hill & Knowlton, and Charles P. Rogers & Co. He has extensive experience leading global design teams in print, video, presentation, branding, environmental, event, and interactive design. Patrick’s experience crosses virtually all business sectors including finance and business services, energy and power, technology, educational institutes , philanthropic and nonprofit services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and consumer marketing.

“Patrick has worked in a strategic capacity to solve design problems and provide major clients with creative solutions,” said Art Institute of California – Sunnyvale President Tim Hansen. “He brings real world knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today, and is a great addition to our Silicon Valley campus.”

Baird has also worked with creative and technology industry leaders to help develop, beta test products, and provide strategic insight for Adobe Systems, Apple, Canon, Epson, HP, , Sling Media, Pantone, and X-Rite.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies from Eugene Lang College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography & Related Media from Parsons School of Design, and a Master of Arts in Media Studies and Management from The New School. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at Argosy University, where his research focus is marketing, design, and innovation.

Baird is also an active member of The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) professional association for design, The Art Directors Club, Design and Art Direction (D&AD), and the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD). He regularly attends organizational workshops, conferences, and forums.

The Art Institute of California—Sunnyvale is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 45 education institutions located throughout North America. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South
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Patrick will be one of the distinguished professionals to review portfolios at the AIGA/SF portfolio day 11 on Saturday the 4th of June in San Francisco.