DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
I am a first-generation Chicana senior who has lived my whole life in Chicago. I am majoring in Graphic design and have a minor in animation. I have always gravitated towards the arts and creative fields from a very young age. During my sophomore year of high school, I took a digital media course and instantly knew that graphic design was where I truly belonged. At the end of my junior year at Depaul, I realized I had a passion for publication design. I had never been so inspired before. A determination to excel in typography awakened. When not designing or researching, I go out in my community and wait for inspiration to come naturally. Most of the time, It comes when watching a movie or just doing day-to-day errands with my family and friends.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
When I feel stuck on a project or burnt out, I look at other media to feel inspired. I’ll watch movies I’ve never seen before, go into bookstores, and explore. There are so many layers to set design when watching films that focus on world-building that often get overlooked.
WHAT AREA OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
I enjoy working with motion graphics and brand identity; however, I would love to see myself in publication design.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
Before starting my journey at DePaul, I didn’t fully grasp the profound impact design could have. This realization sparked my passion for design and fueled my desire to become a problem solver for long-standing societal challenges.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
One designer with whom I had the privilege of working is Mark Addison Smith. Along with having beautiful typography, Mark’s pure love and excitement for publication design inspired and stayed with me.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING (BOOKS, MOVIES, TV, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC)?
In the early stages of my creative process, I often turn to horror films to immerse myself in a unique mindset. The intense emotions and unconventional narratives they offer inspire me to explore new approaches to storytelling and visual expression. My favorite directors I turn to are Robert Eggers and Ari Aster.
DO YOU, OR DO YOU PLAN TO, DESIGN FOR ANY CAUSES OR CHARITIES, I.E., DESIGN FOR GOOD?
One cause I’m deeply passionate about is supporting the educational systems of marginalized communities in Chicago.
DO YOU FEEL THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS PREPARED YOU TO FIND A JOB?
Within my four years of design school, I have been challenged and inspired time and time again. I have created a strong sense of community among my peers that I would love to extend as I begin the job hunt. With such a wide spread of classes design school has to offer I feel excited and ready to create.
