Image Alumni ’06 Education BS in Visualization Current Career Freelance Design Director Location Chicago, Illinois Why did you choose the bachelor of science program? When I was in high school, I visited MCAD, but choosing to attend an art school felt limiting to me. I chose to go to a liberal arts college for a year and there I was able to narrow down my passions to writing and design. I was really inspired by the work that was currently being done in the program and it felt like a way I could come to MCAD without knowing exactly what discipline I was interested in. What was your experience living in the Twin Cities? Any hidden treasures? My favorite thing to do is to check out improv at Huge Theater, drinking coffee and working all day at Common Roots, scones at Isles Bakery, catch a show at Open Eye Puppet Theater, and camping at Afton state park. Briefly describe at least one of your internships. I interned at Allen Interactions and worked on animations and illustrations for employee training software for Eco Lab. It was really good prep for working on a team in the real world. I remember I was so nervous for my interview that I sweated through my blouse and convinced myself to stop at Walgreens to buy a new one. In retrospect, I probably should have just gone in wearing a blouse rather than an oversized t-shirt. Favorite project you worked on for a client? A surprising thing that happened to me while I was at MCAD was that I became really interested in filmmaking and used what I learned about budgeting and project management in the BS program to produce my senior film. It was great to come to set in the morning with my production binders ready to go. That prep work alleviated a ton of stress so that I could be creative and troubleshoot while we were making the film. Best thing you ever found on the free shelf? A huge box of acrylic paint! Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way? MCAD made me pretty fearless. I can't believe how many times at MCAD I was challenged to do something I did not know if I had the capacity to create. But I was constantly so inspired by the people around me creating amazing work. It excited me. It made me believe that I could do great things too. So many times in the world after MCAD, I had to show up and make something that I wasn't sure I could pull off, but MCAD made me brave. Even the critiques that didn't go as planned, I'm so thankful for that guidance. So thankful that I was on my way to having thick skin at such a young age. As a designer, you are critiqued everyday and MCAD helped me shape my good critique bad critique barometer. I know the feeling when I'm receiving a hard truth and when I'm hearing a lazy anecdotal suggestion. Name your biggest takeaway from the program? When I was in the BS Program, I thought if only this person did more or if I could master a new skill, the project would be perfect. And I think people even told me, "This is what it's about: how you manage your team and how you show up as a teammate is the point!" But I did not believe it. Even today, I'll lose myself for awhile in the work, and I'll need to be brought back to the surface and reminded that what is important is your team. How you show up for the people below, beside you, and above you is what will determine the level of success you receive. What inspires you/your work? My friends. They are constantly growing and asking for what they deserve and they make me think, huh? I think I can too. How do you network yourself and your art? I'm sober and have social anxiety, so you won't find me at an AIGA happy hour or mingling at a conference, but I try to show up for the artists in my life whenever possible. And I think one of the best ways to network is to be really amazing at your job. Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been. Most recently, I was the Design Director at the Democratic National Committee during the 2020 presidential campaign. I'm a politics and news junkie so this was a dream job. Working in politics is notoriously challenging. But I loved my team and I loved contributing to making Donald Trump a one-term president. How did you get your job? I actually applied to be a graphic designer. I knew that I wanted to play a role in this campaign cycle. And I was looking for anyway to be involved. The former creative director at the DNC, was really into my editorial illustrations and book cover designs and reached out. She suggested that an art director role was a better fit and I was quickly promoted to Design Director. Are there challenges to being a professional creative? Oh my god, yes! You have to dedicate yourself to getting better every day and no one pays you to do that. Workplaces sometimes cover a class here and there, but life as an artist means dedicating yourself to a lifetime of learning and growing. It's the absolute best part about this life, but yikes, it's a huge responsibility. Current obsession? Some Kind of Heaven, a recent documentary about The Villages in Florida.