Evangelina Rios

What do you wish you’d known now when you started your design course?

To not worry about being the best, just work hard. Avoid comparing your work so much to others around you, and feeling like that's what you should be doing too. Be true to yourself. Your education should be about a balance between learning and finding your personal style.

What originally lead you in to design, and how has that changed - what do you want to do/are doing now?

Makeup of all things. I followed a lot of brands on social media and one day one of them posted a position for a graphic designer. Until then, I had never heard of that career. After reading up about it, it felt like a light went on. Previously, I had always had my foot in the door with art. I'd say I experimented with about most you can think of, from sculpting to acting. I knew deep down that I wanted to have a career in art but wasn't really sure about how obtainable one would be in fine or performing art. When I found graphic design, it felt tangible. It allowed me to have the creative freedom that I craved, but gave structure because it was about problem-solving. I am now continuing my education at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and recently landed a dream internship with Jessica Hische!

Any hot tips for getting ahead at uni?

Work hard - design is not easy. Listen and take feedback. Nail down your software skills so you can execute your ideas. Most importantly, ask for help! I struggled a lot with that and still do sometimes. You have to remember that you're not alone in this as much as you feel like it. Your classmates are most likely feeling the same pressure and have the same concerns. We're all trying to achieve the same thing, and are in this together––so reach out. Your professors also want you to succeed, so try not to feel intimidated by going up to ask them questions or get one on one feedback. You're not supposed to know all the answers, that's why you're here––to learn. Also ask for help outside of your field of study. Your friends and family have your back. I relied on them for a lot of emotional support as well as helping me with a lot of weird and mindless tasks such as cutting and folding paper or filling bottles for photoshoots, while I worked on other larger tasks. It never hurts to ask for help so do it.

What do you love about the design scene in your city and what companies are on your dream list to work or collaborate with?

When I lived in San Diego I loved the school I attended, San Diego City College. Their graphic design program is beyond phenomenal and I felt that I got a lot of support to achieve my goals. For a community college, they are competing with some of the top design schools in the country. I don't think I could have been as successful or pushed myself as much as I did if I didn't have them as such a close-knit design community. I have always had an affinity for firms like Collins, Turner Duckworth, &Walsh, Leta and Wade, Land––honestly, the names could go on and on. I moved to SF not only to continue my schooling but to also be in a place where I can work with those kinds of firms.