CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS (CCA)
Janice Echevarria is a senior Graphic Design student at California College of the Arts. She was born and raised in the Bay Area and she spent years traveling the world while also working in the service industry as a bartender. One day, in the middle of a shift, she realized she needed to do something different and began her journey back to school. Janice pulls inspiration from all aspects of life, and she’s not afraid to address important issues in her designs. Last summer she drove across the United States, a solo trip in which she encountered chummy squirrels, happy cows, a mellow donkey, dead armadillos, aggressive ants, and a vibrant tarantula. She randomly breaks out into song and dance.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Oakland, California/San Francisco, California.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty all the way.
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Both. Can’t stop won’t stop.
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Sponge Bob and Cleopatra.
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
My life is a musical. Every moment has a song lyric attached to it. I grew up playing the piano and singing in the choir. My grandparents had a vast musical movie collection. We watched them all on repeat.
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Jem and the Holograms. The fashion was on point.
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
I co-parent. A schnoodle named Stella and a cat named Sam. They are my sunshine.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English. And just enough Tagalog so my family can’t talk about me when I’m around.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Impossible question.
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Mark Rothko
FAVORITE CHARITY?
I donate to ODC dance studio every year because dance was such an important part of my life growing up. It kept me out of a trouble and was a healthy way for me to express myself.
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Making mini music videos or collaging.
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
My best friend sent a random text saying, “I’m really proud of you and you are doing a really good job”.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Crystals and vintage porcelain dolls
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Electric pinks and teals
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Scala
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is bravery. Weakness is indecisiveness.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A farmer
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
To thine own self be true.