Tell us about yourself and your work.

I believe that design, at its core, is rooted in the human experience. Since there are so many facets and lenses to that experience, collaboration is one of my favorite parts of working in design. I have learned so much about design from learning technical skills, but also in learning how to listen and gather alternate perspectives. Taking all of that in has pushed me to create more inclusive and complete pieces.

What agency or designer inspires you?

Last fall I was researching agencies with expertise in the food & beverage industry and I came across an agency called Mucca. I was immediately blown away by their work and design philosophy. They believe in creating “unboring brands” that stand the test of time, are rooted in story, and bring a cultured perspective to design that is rooted in a diverse team.

I chatted with my instructor, Hank, about how much I loved the agency and he had a connection with the founder, Matteo Bologna. Matteo came to our class and gave us a presentation on how his team created the branding system for the Tin Building in New York. I found not only Matteo’s ability to shed light on their work, but also their creative process as a team enthralling and inspiring. Matteo was also able to call out and give credit to each piece of the system that a team member was responsible for.

Mucca creates brands that are timeless, and so impactful. They have such a heavy focus on typography that they have their own type foundry. Each of their brands has a unique visual language that is memorable, impactful, and steeped in story. Whenever I look at their work, I am reminded of the importance of using type to tell a story.

What is your ideal job at the end of school?

I love branding. I would love to gain more branding experience whether that be in developing new brands, or applying brand guidelines to new materials and campaigns. My ideal job after school will help me grow in that area with strong mentors and collaborators to learn with.

How do you deal with creative blocks?

When I am feeling stuck creatively, I like to bake something. Even if I am not experiencing a traditional creative “block”, baking has helped me hone my problem solving skills, and feel grounded in a moment. It also helps me get out of my comfort zone. I have made pavlovas and creme brûlées to naan, soda bread, sourdough, and milk breads. Every time I make something, I learn something new. That feeling of learning and problem solving is so rewarding and really helps me feel confident when I go back to an existing design problem.

If you could interview any creative, who would it be?

I would love to interview Ilse Crawford. She is an interior designer who leads with empathy and collaboration to create pieces that are not only functional but also engaging. I have been a fan of her Together Table for a long time. It is narrow enough to encourage easy conversation, and it has rounded edges so that more people can be seated comfortably around it. It is a beautiful design that engages users and embraces function so gracefully. I can’t wait to own one someday!

How do you want people to remember your work?

I want to be remembered for creating work that is impactful and the product of more than one perspective. I want my designs to be inclusive, accessible, and beautiful.

If you had to rebrand a logo which one would it be and why?

I actually worked on an identity project in school. I was tasked with rebranding Snapchat. I have used Snapchat since it debuted and it has evolved into way more than just a chat platform. I think the brand is so fun and dynamic that it would be fun to create an identity with as much personality as the platform and its users.