PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Maya Valencia is a graphic designer based in New York City. She is in her final year at Parsons School of Design, working on her BFA in Communication Design. Maya works as a design assistant for Caspar Lam and YuJune Park at their design practice, Synoptic Office. She is currently self-publishing her first print magazine, Phase Zero, a publication documenting the current DIY scene in New York City.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Going on walks. Understanding how language is manifested in a city — in the present and in the past — but specifically through cultural movements and their printed matter. The ephemerality of design excites me!
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
Printed matter and installations. Editorial design!
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
I have two things:
- Only you can see the world the way you do—how can you communicate this to everyone else?
- What you are making is a material manifestation of an idea that is naturally always changing. Nothing is finite or complete, as there are infinite ways to convey one idea in suitable forms. Take off the pressure.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
I am surrounded by incredibly talented people — my friends, classmates, professors, family, etc. The following designers/artists are inspiring to me right now: Paul Elliman, Daniel Eatock, and Julian Klincewicz (among many others). The design collective, Tomato — their process, philosophy, history, work, etc. — is most exciting to me at the moment. Richard Turley is interesting!
WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?
Reading: Dune (always). Listening to: Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star. Watching:Drugstore Cowboy.
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