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.

Monstas are toy creations made for children with juvenile arthritis.
Macro / Micro is a line of body jewelry that emphasizes the safe use of non-toxic materials for body modifications, such as the stretching of ear lobes.

Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals listed by the United Nations, which do you believe represent the most important challenges facing your generation today? 

Goal number 4: Quality Education.When you empower people, especially children, you open the doors to opportunity. An educated population can make better choices and move forward on their own. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Goal number 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure. A smart community can only fight a corrupt system for so long. For there to be success in innovation industries must work with the people and take their practices to settings they haven’t visited before. There is a need to reform industries that not only take care of themselves but take care of their people, their surroundings and pay close attention to their lasting impact. When industries begin to innovate wholesomely and with the population we can begin to see large scale change.

Goal number 11: Sustainable cities and communities. Sustainable cities are a necessity in the expanding world we live in. With growing population and the fast conversion into mega cities, we must become efficient with the resources we have in order to sustain the upcoming large population.

Thinking of those most important challenges facing your generation, do you believe that industrial design is part of the solution?

I believe industrial design is definitely part of the solution, because it is part of the problem. I believe industry re-prioritization will make a large impact in the way we live and the way we consume products. Changes to manufacturing, a focus on the life cycle of products, environmental impact, sustainable resources, and more innovative solutions will help create healthy cities and communities. When the stakeholders begin to make conscious choices together, industrial design will be able to help create products and services that could help our generation move forward.


What do you most love about industrial design?

I fell in love with industrial design because it is everywhere around us. Almost everything you see was once designed by someone. I love that the field is continuously growing. Being an industrial designer has given me empathy and it has allowed me to understand people better. It has given me the ability to solve problems in a unique way and most importantly it has made me a student of the world. The ability to use awareness, creative thinking and empathy to create are what I love about industrial design.


As an industrial designer, what is your biggest dream?

As an industrial designer, my goal is to create as much positive impact as possible. My biggest dream would be to use my skill set and imagination to create something that helps as many people in the world as possible.


How do you see yourself working with Icsid to design for a better world?        

I see myself working together with Icsid to bring awareness to the field of industrial design. Empowering the youth to learn about design thinking all over the world. I believe a better world can be achieved through design, be it through workshops that spark a new way of thinking, new products and services that target specific needs or new strategies for better health and wellness. When we work together to teach others we can make an impact by planting a seed that will mature into creative thinkers.

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