GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ART
Rizelle Dela Paz is a graphic design student working towards her BFA at George Mason University. Like many designers, in high school she started in the arts: as a painting student. Unlike many designers, in high school she hated graphic design. She thought that with a design career, all she would be doing is making logos… boringg! Her trajectory was suddenly and forever altered by an alumna of her high school who is a graphic designer who delivered a career seminar in Rizelle’s senior year. (Shout out to the alumna: Yes, your presentation changed lives!) Rizelle was hooked: Posters? Packaging? Books! Now that’s something she could spend her life on! On entering college, she took intro design classes and never looked back. She dreams of designing something that will have a lasting impact, even years after she dies. Maybe it’ll be an identity for an internationally known corporation, or a poster for an iconic movie. Rizelle will one day be saying: “Do you know that epic piece? Yea, I designed that.”
What makes you feel inspired?
I enjoy the challenges graphic designers on YouTube give themselves. I also look for inspiration in my daily life; in movies, music or books.
What area or areas of design are you hoping to work in or specialize in?
Editorial design. I like designing each page of a book/magazine and playing with type and layout.
What is one thing that design school has taught you that you did not expect?
In design school, I was always taught the rules of graphic design. I think you can break these rules and I want to try that.
Who is someone you look up to in your field? Either today or historically?
After completing a recent project on Michael Bierut, I purchased his book How To: and I appreciate how he uses simple shapes to make type, icons, and logos.
What are you reading, listening to, watching?
Working with music blasting through my headphones is a must. My recent playlists include Korean artists. I’m also collecting design books and reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon.
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