Design Alum Reflects on USF

Why USF?

I remember walking past the X-Arts studio garage doors on a sunny day during my first visit to campus. Students were inside working, laughing, and moving between projects in a way that felt alive and collaborative. At that moment, I could see myself there. I did not just want to attend the university, I wanted to be part of that community.

What ultimately drew me in was USF’s emphasis on community engagement and applied learning. Students were encouraged to collaborate with local organizations, respond to real audiences, and think about the social impact of their work. That approach aligned directly with how I understood design: not as isolated studio practice, but as communication that exists in real spaces and serves real communities. I believed then, and still believe now, that art and education should extend beyond the classroom. At USF, that expectation was built into the culture itself.

Why did you choose to major in design at USF?

I chose design because it sits at the intersection of communication and connection. I was fascinated by how visual language shapes understanding, influences emotion, and determines who is invited into a narrative. Very quickly, I came to understand design as a form of translation — one that has the power to take complex ideas and cultural histories and make them accessible, inviting, and human.

USF gave me the space to explore that belief fully. Through experimentation, critique, and collaboration, I developed not only technical skills but a clear design philosophy. What I valued most was the creative community. I was surrounded by designers, artists, professors, and professionals who challenged one another while offering genuine support. In that environment, ambition felt shared rather than competitive.

What did you like most about the design program?

The design philosophy at USF emphasized empathy, clarity, and intention beyond aesthetics. We were taught to consider perspective, audience, and impact before form. That foundation continues to guide my work today. For me, design is not just about making something look good. It is about making someone feel seen.

What are you doing now?

I’m now a Graphic Designer at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where I started as a Graphic Design Apprentice through the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship Program after graduation. I collaborate on marketing campaigns and institutional materials, contributing to visual systems that exist both inside the museum and across broader public platforms. 

In addition to my museum work, I freelance independently. I recently appeared on Adobe Live, where I shared my workflow using Firefly, Illustrator, and Photoshop for branding and packaging projects. I have also completed commissioned projects for Adobe through the apprenticeship program.

Many of the opportunities I have pursued since graduation can be traced back to relationships and mentorship I developed at USF. The creative community I built there continues to inform and support my work in tangible ways.

How did your USF education prepare you to do your work?

USF instilled in me a lasting commitment to accessibility and inclusion, both in process and in outcome. Whether designing for a local initiative or a hypothetical client, we were consistently asked to consider who was being centered and who might be excluded. That habit of asking “who is this for and who is being left out?” has become the backbone of my professional practice.

Your career advice for current USF students?

This is a rare time in your creative life to experiment without limits. The work you create during your time at USF will shape your artistic identity and continue to represent you professionally. I still reference projects from school, and they remain part of how I tell my story. Use this time to build not just a portfolio, but a perspective that reflects who you are and what you stand for.