Design Journey

Growing up, I never knew that I could pursue a career in design but going to UC Davis changed things for me. I started college on the Pre-Med track as I had always loved learning about science and would express my creative side through hobbies like dance and crochet. At first, I admired my friends in the design major from the sidelines but the major kept calling to me. I decided to take the introductory course my sophomore year and switched majors soon after. The design major at Davis was exploratory and I started with courses in graphic design and 3D-modeling. I began working as a student graphic designer to start gaining work experience under my belt and helped with creating graphics that were used around campus.

I quickly grew passionate about classes that explored experience and physical space design. I took courses in Exhibition, Interior, and Set design and I found that Exhibition design combined the elements I enjoy most. I loved the emphasis of using subject and audience research to drive design decisions, while using technical skills to visualize and communicate plans. Graduating during the pandemic was definitely a challenge. I knew what career I wanted to be in, yet struggled to find entry level positions in exhibition design. I expanded my search and landed a job at an interior design firm in San Francisco. During my time there, I got to experience every part of a working project and familiarize myself with how a firm in the design industry operates.

After working there for a couple of years, I missed creating spaces intended for larger audiences. Though I enjoyed the work I did and how much I learned, I wanted to make design choices based on the stories a space is trying to tell and to find ways to immerse people in a real world experience.  From a conversation with my Exhibition Design Professor at Davis, I found out about the MA program at FIT and knew it would be a great next step for me. I started the program last fall and truly feel it is the right place for me. Working through projects with my professors and my cohort has given me the space to expand on new skills and create more in-depth, meaningful projects in a way that I really enjoy. As I continue through this journey, I am very excited to see where my career will take me.