Why are you involved with AIGA Raleigh?
I am involved in AIGA Raleigh because of the opportunities they present to emerging designers like myself. It allows me to network with other designers and make connections that will benefit me as a professional. A few ECU alumni are apart of AIGA Raleigh and have really taken myself and my fellow classmates under their wing, which gives me confidence in myself and in my work.
What is your overriding professional goal?
To obtain the ultimate professional success—wake up in the morning and absolutely love what I do for a living.
How do you explain what you do to “regular people?”
It’s difficult at times, because the span of what graphic design entails is so encompassing. I generally explain that I enjoy working with logos and identity systems (using Apple or Nike as an example), but that graphic design is everwhere, and then give a few examples of that such as editorial design, advertisement design and web design.
What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?
Although I am still a student, my greatest accomplishment to date is my full-time internship at Clear Blue, an advertising agency in Huntersville, North Carolina. I worked there for a month as a part-time unpaid intern, but showed such promise and dedication to the dull intern work that they hired me full-time as a design intern. There, I have been able to accomplish many impressive projects while still an undergrad, such as designing the tradeshow graphics for an international construction machinery client, and being allowed to redesign the logo of AAA Car Care (formerly AAA Car Care of the Carolinas).
What is your non-work creative outlet?
I am just getting into embroidery! I am already passionate about illustration, but I have been looking for a way to add a new sense of depth to my work. Embroidering my illustrations onto pillows and the like is an exciting new way for me to do this, and to potentially launch a small brand of embroidered designs.
What’s your biggest design-related pet peeve?
I am infinitely irritated by typos. I firmly believe that a graphic designer, someone who creates the vehicle of communication to an audience predominantly through type, should understand and appreciate the simple art of spelling a word correctly.
What is the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
My roommate’s dog is the most expressive dog I’ve ever met. I laugh out loud every time I come home and Emmer is standing there with a bone in her mouth, whining loudly and pressing herself against my legs in a “dog hug” because she is just SO excited that I’m home. Dogs rule!
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability or quality, what would it be?
I would love to gain more compassion. I care deeply about people around me, but I sometimes have a difficult time reminding myself that every human is different and are facing their own struggles.
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
I love Stewie and Brian Griffin from Family Guy.
What have you gained or what do you hope to gain through your involvement with AIGA Raleigh?
I am excited to meet professional designers who I can view as a group of mentors, and other students who I can network with as I begin to build my small arsenal of design cohorts.
What led you to volunteer or join the board?
I want to help out in any way I can that will benefit my community of creatives, and also serve as a learning opportunity for myself, since I am still an undergrad.
What have you done as a board member or volunteer that you are most proud of?
I have just joined, so I am excited for the opportunities to come!
What goals do you have for the future of the chapter?
I would love to get more of my fellow classmates involved in AIGA.
What have you seen other chapters do that was really cool?
Anything that a chapter has done to better their community and provide a learning opportunity for students and professionals alike!
