All About Me!

I grew up in a multicultural family. My mom is from Baguio, Philippines, and my dad is from California, with Puerto Rican and African roots. We spoke English at home since my parents have different first languages. Sometimes, I felt like I didn’t fully belong to any one culture because I wasn’t taught my parents’ native languages. Growing up mixed in Oklahoma brought challenges, and I often struggled to relate to others. Still, these experiences taught me to speak up for myself and others. I realized early on that minorities’ stories aren’t often represented in the media. Characters rarely looked like my family. I want to help change that by creating work that celebrates diversity. Design can bring people together by highlighting what makes each of us unique.

As a designer, I will make a positive impact. Design can reach people from many backgrounds, and I aim to create work that represents and connects with everyone. By sharing my perspective as a woman of color, I hope to offer representation, but I also want to learn from others’ experiences. Listening to people’s stories and cultures inspires my work. I hope my designs help people feel seen and valued.

Collaboration is a big part of design. Working with others helps us learn, grow, and spark creativity. I enjoy seeing how each designer has a unique approach to solving problems. There are many ways to reach a solution, and I love that design is always about learning and trying new things.