Norah Stone

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD?

I am originally from Minneapolis and I remember going to classes at Mia when I was really young. I knew about MCAD because of the proximity to the museum and by sheer interest in the arts from a very early age.

What was your major and how did you choose it?

Graphic design. I loved drawing and illustration but I was also very interested in typography and art history. Graphic design was something that combined all my passions into one, which was the best fit for me.

What advice do you have for current MCAD students?

In the words of Sister Corita Kent: "Pull everything out of your teacher. Pull everything out of your fellow students." Take the extra time to go to office hours and connect with your teachers one-on-one. Not only do they have valuable advice to give but can connect you with other like-minded people that will help you navigate a career in the arts. Last but certainly not least: cherish your friends. Nourish and nurture them so they can do the same for you in times of need.

Describe your internships.

I worked at a small design studio in New York called Dress Code the summer of my sophomore year. It was a very short program so I wasn't able to get fully embedded in a project but it made me fall in love with New York City and help me realize I wanted to move there after graduation. My other internship was with Michael Cina where I worked alongside him as a studio assistant as well as a design intern my junior and senior year. Working for him was a very formative experience as I got to see first-hand what the design process looks like for a variety of different clients.

Did you receive any scholarships? If so, how did that impact you?

The Matching Grant! Seriously, I would not have been able to go to MCAD without this.

Your biggest takeaway from MCAD?

MCAD's workload is HARD but real life is HARDER. My time at MCAD forced me to learn time management skills and how to work more strategically (which are skills I still lean on today).

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Nicole Killian. Hands-down the most influential teacher (and friend) I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Nicole allowed me to see that design is whatever I want it to be and that I can trust my own instincts, especially as a woman. She helped me step away from all the preconceived notions I had about design and what it should or should not look like. Nicole is still a friend to this day and I would not be where I am without her guidance at a very crucial point in my life.

How do you feel about the Twin Cities?

They will always be my first home and where I cultivated the strongest, most resilient, life-long friendships.

Where do you live now?

Brooklyn.

What do you do for work? How do you feel about it?

I’m a designer living in New York City with experience working at major media companies like MTV and Refinery29, and, more recently, Paperless Post. For the past three years at the company, I’ve worked on creating a new digital events product called Flyer, which is a platform that is home to a variety of original content created in-house. Often working in a strategic space between graphic design and art direction, most of my work revolves around animation, photography, and set design in order to develop an idea from its conception to final execution. I'm extremely grateful for the ability to live and work in such a creatively diverse city and I am excited about the future!

How did you get your job?

I was contacted by a recruiter who I believe saw me on LinkedIn or Working Not Working.

How do you network yourself and your art?

Reaching out to friends-of-friends on my peripheral who I wouldn't normally seek out. I try to be radically honest as much as possible: I've found that most people will probably feel similarly and a little bit of truth goes a long way.

What inspires you?

Feeling my feelings, poetry, photography, objects.