Tell us about where you studied and some of your highlights and favourite lecturers.
I studied Graphic Design at the University of Central Florida and I honestly couldn't have asked to be part of a better design program. My professors Victor Davila and Ashley Taylor truly shaped how I approach design and experiment with my work. They were incredible resources for feedback and constant sources of encouragement throughout my college career. I'd also like to thank Ashley for exposing me to the world of UI/UX as her classes helped me discover my love for creating unique user experiences and establish where I wanted to thrive in the design industry. Additionally, I'd like to shout out my high school Visual Communications teacher Dale Brooks for introducing me to design and pushing me to be the best designer I could be at such a young age.
Some highlights from my studies include late-night design sessions at the studio with friends, working alongside students and professors as the Vice President of the Graphic Design Student Association at our university, and getting my prototypes to work on Figma.
What weird and wonderful things are you obsessed with right now that inspires your creative work?
Although this isn't a current obsession, I've always found that a lot of the inspiration for my work comes from indie games and comics as they always have great world-building, storylines, and experimental art styles that inspire me to think in new ways. I also really enjoy watching the animations and short films being released by the students at Gobelins School as their work often leaves me feeling motivated to create.
Favourite travel destinations that inspire you?
I would have to say the SF MoMA, this local coffee shop in Orlando called Lineage, and the Miami Design District.
They inspire me because each of these destinations either house the work of several creatives or facilitate a space to collaborate and create. They're places filled with pieces I've studied and admired, and people that remind me of how fun and exciting this career truly is.
Tell us about your tools / what tech, programs, equipment and environment do you do your best work in?
When designing, I typically use my laptop or desktop computer and work across Figma, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Sometimes I also like to sketch or ideate physically so I often have a notebook and sticky notes with me at all times.
Which 3 creatives do you look up to and why?
Angelo Torres, Yoon Je An, and Alexis Jamet! Although their style of work varies, I enjoy how Angelo Torres and Alexis Jamet use every area of their canvas to experiment with type, imagery, and color. Through this exploration, they produce vibrant works that exemplify the creativity and child-like imagination I aspire to have when working on my own projects. As for Yoon Je An, when illustrating, I often look at his work because I admire the unique style and energy reflected in each of his illustrations.
What are your biggest hopes and dreams for 2025, both for the world and your career?
Looking to the new year, I hope to continue to grow as a Product Designer and also push myself to create work in other areas of design that inspire me. As a student, I always had this drive to put my best work forward and showcase my strengths. But as a recent grad and full-time UX Designer at Oracle, I find myself wanting to use my free time to—still produce personal works that I'm proud of but—take more risks, return to previous creative outlets like painting, and focus on aspirational projects that I didn't get the chance to work on in college.
Thinking about the world in 2025, my hope is for people to have more empathy and compassion for each other as life isn't always easy and oftentimes the biggest support we have is each other. I would also love to see more design opportunities for undergraduate students across the world as the design industry continues to grow.
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