FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Marie Chacon is an Ecuadorian designer who graduated in Fall 2024 with a BFA in Digital Arts and a minor in Art History. She served as an Event Director for FIU’s International Art and Design Club and is currently a designer for the K-pop scene in Florida. Her creative journey began through broadcast as a child when she followed her dad into radio broadcast stations, assembling tripods, controlling the soundboard, and editing content on the 2008 MacBook. This transitioned into fine arts in middle school until she became a layout editor for her high school’s literary magazine. Today, her interest grows in creative problem-solving through conceptual advertising campaigns.
mariechacon.myportfolio.com
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Advertisements are inescapable yet inspiring. The best kinds are the ones where the message is visually expressed.
WHAT AREA OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
My internship has introduced my desire to work as an art director in the creative advertising space.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
Great design cannot exist without a concept, and a concept cannot exist without an insight.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
Emily Oberman’s attention to detail in her work is inspirational. Every type, color, and composition choices are made with intention.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING (BOOKS, MOVIES, TV, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC)?
My playlist ranges from 80s Pop to Korean Pop music. If I’m not listening to music, I’m listening to a video essay on pop culture.
DO YOU, OR DO YOU PLAN TO, DESIGN FOR ANY CAUSES OR CHARITIES, I.E., DESIGN FOR GOOD?
I dedicated my thesis to a design for change advocacy on gender-inclusivity in menstruation by challenging the assumption that menstruating is exclusive to cisgender women. Doing so through poly-meaning, the word “period” acts as a punctuation mark, an interval of time, and menstruation.
DO YOU FEEL THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS PREPARED YOU TO FIND A JOB?
I’m in a fortunate position where I’m able to attend on and off-campus networking events provided by the art department. The portfolio reviews, career fairs, and art talks have prepared me to grow and establish myself as a creative in the field.
