Get to know me!
Hi, my name is AJ! I'm a Junior from Cincinnati studying Visual Communication Design at The Ohio State University. I fell in love with the visual and language arts at a young age. Throughout middle school and high school, I was an avid writer, drawer, and painter. I funnel both of these passions into my career as a visual communication designer, earnestly creating through the means of visual language and graphic art.
My love for design motivates me to work hard everyday, but my passion for my community supersedes all. Outside of my classes, I'm a Mount Leadership Society Scholar, a living-learning community centered around community service and leadership education.
I serve as the Vice President of Marketing for Buckeye Professional Advancement & Development, a student run organization centered around professional development and community leadership. I run a team with two directors, three chairs, and a committee, leading meetings and overseeing BPAD's Branding, Design, Social Media, and Marketing content.
My Design Pillars:
(1.)
Discovery
My personal creative motto, “Discover, don’t invent” originally comes from my high school improv coach. Nothing can be created in a vacuum. I see design as a collaborative effort between those who came before, and the world around us. There are beautiful things to be found in the world. Through design, I use my observational skills to be a conduit for the beauty I see in the world.
(2.)
Rhetoric
George Orwell once stated when writing, "If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out." I believe that this same logic applies to design. When I design, I make sure I'm never decorating. To avoid this, I make sure that every element of a project is intentional and necessary.
(3.)
Play
In order to create something compellingly unique, one must find them self in a state of play. When I ideate, I don't believe in bad ideas. Pursuing my creativity with a childlike whimsy keeps my ideas fresh and my love for what I do alive.
(4.)
Yes, And
Another perspective gained in my time doing improv comedy, I believe that this is the best way to collaborate. Instead of shooting down others’ ideas, I try to say “Yes, and,” and implement the feedback while adding my final decision. Open mindedness and willingness to listen are the key to working well with others.
