Institution: ArtCenter College of Design (United States)
Programme: Product Design with a concentration in DesignMatters
Year of Graduation: Spring 2016
What made you decide to become an industrial designer?
I’ve always found it a bit magical that you can put two things together to create a whole new one. As a child, I was interested in crafting stories out of nothing and making my own toys out of whatever I could find, be it buttons, paper, food, umbrellas, anything! As I grew up I became interested in creating more with my hands and attended a magnet school where I was taught darkroom photography and drawing. In my teens I was fortunate enough to apply myself in a school called Design and Architecture Senior High or D.A.S.H. where I found my passion for industrial design. Industrial design put two of my main interests together: creating new things and making visually beautiful things. However, it wasn’t until the 2010 Haitian earthquake when my class was tasked with creating disaster relief product concepts that I realized the impact design could have on the lives of people. I decided to become an industrial designer when I recognized that design could change the world we live in, for the better.
In your opinion, what types of people are best suited for the profession of industrial design? What is a typical industrial designer like?
If you want to be an industrial designer, you must not fear failure. Industrial Design is about creating solutions to various problems, testing them out and reiterating to create the best answer. The faster you are able to test your concepts the faster you’ll reach an effective solution. A typical industrial designer is able to create a multitude of ideas, pick the good ones and mix and match them to create even better ideas. They aren’t afraid to try new things and are eager to tackle new problems whenever they appear. A thoughtful designer is interested in culture and what is happening in the world around them, searching always for new ways to grow as a human and a designer.
Where did you study industrial design and what was the most important thing you learned?
I studied industrial design at a young age at DASH in Miami, Florida where I learned the value of expressing my ideas through sketching and presentation. I then chose to pursue a career in industrial design by studying at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California where I grew to appreciate challenges, embrace failure, think positively, and value my aspirations.
What do you believe are the major obstacles or challenges for young industrial designers today from a professional standpoint? Are there additional challenges for women in the profession?
As young industrial designers we face a changing economy and a changed view of where design can come into play in business, which has opened a whole new play-area for us. We don’t just craft physical products, we now create experiences and services that could change our future. As young designers we have a responsibility to our environment and our community. Our work will change commerce and how business is done. Our challenge is to make the right choices to afford sustainability and equality. There is much more thought to be placed on the impact of your work on society as a whole than 10 years ago.
Tell us about the projects you are working on now.
I’m doing a design fellowship with Dalberg’s Design Impact Group in New York, though I am currently in Sierra Leone doing design research. In my spare time I am working on bringing my personal alternative jewelry brand into existence. I am also working with a few different doctors and caregivers to get funding for my project “Monstas” which are interactive exercise toys for children with juvenile arthritis.