KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
Kiana Melendez is a 22-year-old KSU student born to a Colombian immigrant and a Puerto Rican, whose unique story of hardships and change shaped how she perceives the world and life. Growing up in a house like that meant nights where dinner consisted of Mofongo con un side de arepas and where the language of the house was English, Spanish, and Spanglish. Her journey into graphic design stemmed from a passion for art that didn’t align with the traditional paths of most artists. Influenced by her mother’s unrealized artistic dreams and her encouragement to venture into the field of art, Kiana became a designer. Growing up in the Southern US and being exposed to the concepts of Southern Gothic, while watching classic horror movies like Halloween (1978) and Friday the 13th, sparked a fascination with a Gothic macabre style that permeates her life, particularly evident in her art and design. The aesthetics of classic horror and the uses of colors, especially red, are something she looks at as inspiration. Now as an adult who is entering the professional world, she is excited to see how her work and style can influence the design world.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
I draw inspiration from pursuing a career in the arts. The fact that I’m not engaged in a non-artistic field propels me forward, fueling my optimism and drive.
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK IN OR SPECIALIZE IN?
Packaging design is my favorite! What I love most is not just envisioning the design but also how tangible it feels in the end. There’s something incredibly satisfying about crafting these packages and bringing them to life. I almost find them cute in their physical form.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DID NOT EXPECT?
Initially, I hadn’t associated graphic designers with UI/UX and hadn’t even heard of the program Figma. Yet, realizing the need for visual appeal in these areas made sense to me and I ended up really enjoying it. Similarly, programming on Dreamweaver, once unfamiliar, turned into an unexpectedly enjoyable and fun experience.
