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From Concept to Customer – Ringling College Students Design Pet Toys Sold Locally at DOGPerfect

From Concept to Customer – Ringling College Students Design Pet Toys Sold Locally at DOGPerfect

Ringling College student, Tu Cam Malaspina (right), stopped by DOGPerfect to see her toy design on display.

Toys for pets designed by Ringling College of Art and Design students are now available exclusively at DOGPerfect through October 31 and will be available at other retailers thereafter. DOGPerfect will also donate $5.00 to Ringling College of Art and Design for each toy purchased until October 31!

“We’re thrilled to provide the opportunity for Ringling College students to see their exceptional designs on our store shelves,” said Fernando Carrera, Director of Operations at DOGPerfect. “Our customers will love the toys, and knowing they were created by local students is an added bonus.”

The project was run through Ringling College’s Collaboratory, a partnership between Ringling College and the Patterson Foundation through which the College is able to guarantee every student the opportunity to work on a real-world project with a real-world client before graduation.

“Our Collaboratory Commitment helps our students overcome the often-faced dilemma of recent college graduates: I can’t get a job because I don’t have experience, and I can’t get experience because I don’t have a job,” said Larry R. Thompson, President of Ringling College of Art and Design. “We are thrilled to have partnered with DOGPerfect to give our students this incredible opportunity to use their art and design education in a real-world context.” 

The students were able to see their work go from concept to design, and then from production to finished piece. The top three designers, Tu Cam Malaspina, Bea Patarata, and DeAnna Boyer, were each awarded scholarship money. Dog toy manufacturer SmartPetLove created the prototypes and produced two of the winning designs.

Tu Cam Malaspina designed the tender-tuffs Platypup, a 24-inch multi-function toy that can be stretched, tossed, and shook to maximize play. It has a squeaker located in its tail and one in its head. Bea Patarata designed the tender-tuffs Cactus, a 10-inch toy with a squeaker and enticing shape to keep dogs engaged and having fun. Future production plans may include DeAnna Boyer’s concept for a line of toys called Cozi Cosmonauts, designed to embrace the bravery and companionship of our furry pets.

“The opportunity offered by SmartPetLove was one I was eager to participate in,” said DeAnna Boyer, Ringling College of Art & Design scholarship winner. “I have always loved problem solving. Being able to freely create and see my sketches turn into a real-world product in the future is an experience I will not soon forget.”

Want to pick up the perfect toys for your pooch? Stores are located in Lakewood Ranch, University Park, and the Landings of Sarasota. www.dogperfect.com 

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Co-Interim Director of Library Services

941-359-7582

Pat Mizak

Co-Interim Director of Library Services

941-309-4055

Alexandra Vargas-Minor

Digital Curation and Special Collections Librarian

941-359-7583

Janelle Rebel

Technical Services Librarian

941-359-7586

Janet Thomas

Instructional Design Librarian

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Instructional Design Librarian

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Library Technician III (Cataloging and Metadata Assistant)

941-359-7631

Lisa Martinez

Library Technician II (Periodicals and Interlibrary Loan)

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Library Technician III (Circulation Manager)

941-359-7587

Tim DeForest

Library Technician III (Acquisitions Manager/Office Support)

941-359-7584

Yolanda Coleman

Library Technician II (Assistant Circulation Manager)

941-359-7587

Christina Song

Circulation Assistant

Jean Ferderber

Circulation Assistant Sooyeon Baek
Circulation Assistant James Harrison

Borrowing

Patron Type # of Items Type of Material Borrowing Time
Student 40 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* 7 days
Faculty and Staff 40 Books 6 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 7 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* 7 days
Trustee, Alumni, Cross College Alliance, and  15 Books 3 weeks
Ringling College LibraryAssociation Members CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
PreCollege 5 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
Local Teacher 15 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
Chartwell’s and Follett employees located at Ringling 15 Books 3 weeks
CDs and CD-ROMs 3 days
DVDs and Blu-Ray 3 days
Magazines (unbound) 3 day
Magazines/Annuals (bound) 5 days
Videogames* N/A
*The video game collection supports the research and teaching of the Game Art & Design program. Video games may not be checked out by Alumni, Ringling College Library Association members or Family members.

Spaces

The Alfred R. Goldstein Library features a wide variety of quiet, group study, and work process spaces. Looking for a quiet study area? Make your way up to the 3rd floor to look for a book in the Research Collection or peruse the new art magazines while relaxing in comfortable seating. When the weather is nice, you can take your coffee from Roberta’s Café on the first floor to one of the four terraces to work outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Looking for meeting space to get together with a group? Check out the group study rooms, which are available on all three floors of the Goldstein Library. The 10 group study rooms are available to students on a first-come first served basis, or available for booking by Ringling College faculty and staff for group and class meetings.

Library Hours

Library Services Hours (when classes are in session):

Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Holidays and Breaks:
The Library is closed on holidays, as designated by the institution, and typically operates on a Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm schedule during breaks.

Ringling College ID Access Only

Please note a Ringling College ID is required for access, except from 8:30am – 4:30pm from Monday – Friday.

Hours for the Brizdle-Schoenberg Special Collections Center:

By appointment only from Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, no drop-ins. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Contact specialcollections@c.ringling.edu to schedule an appointment.

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Ringling College of Art + Design
Alfred R. Goldstein Library
2700 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234-5895

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