“I didn’t want college,” he told the Eagle last week. “I was working a steady job at the time, but my high school counselor (Brooks) suggested I reach out.” He was designing posters, logos, murals and social media content for clubs, advocacy campaigns and extracurricular activities. Devaun Longley was content
“I sent applications to some 16 colleges,” he said, “and was accepted at 13.”
He chose Pratt.
Not for volleyball — although he admitted he was an advocate for volleyball while a student at the Bronx Academy of Letters. In fact, he played baseball in high school.
“I thought Pratt had a baseball team after I was accepted,” he said. “They once did, not now — so I went for volleyball, made the team and have been a three-year starter.”
Devaun Longley has a talent and has expanded it at Pratt Institute.
“My mom was a painter and a graphic designer,” he said. “It was her hobby.”
And when son found out about mom’s hobby, well, “I wanted to live out this life for her.”
He says he has taken his training seriously — probably more than his volleyball. He claims to be a self-taught artist.
In fact, it was his mom who noticed his doodling at a young age.
Longley says he has developed new skills in Pratt’s Communications Design program. “I thought it would be mainly drawing, but I have learned some new concepts.
“I’ve learned how to express myself through animation, graphic design, typography, printmaking, website design,” he says. “I have the ability and understanding to perhaps work in any field I choose.”
After graduation — and volleyball — he plans to create his own material, and perhaps do some studio work within a group, he says.
His proudest moment thus far must be his summer work as a graphic designer and researcher with the New York City Department of Records and Information Services.
The mission of the department is to foster civic life by preserving and providing access to the historical and…
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