UPSTNY Member Interview | Michelle Harris

AIGA member Michelle Harris, recent Graphic Design graduate at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

Can you give me a little biographical information on your career?

I studied Graphic Design at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. During my junior year, as a part of the program, I participated in an internship at In House Graphic Design, Inc. in Geneva, NY, where I took on a full time position as designer after graduating in 2009. While at St. Rose, two other students and I founded the AIGA Saint Rose Student Group in our senior year. We recruited members, educated our peers about AIGA, and grew the group for future students.

As a designer just getting started in the field, what would you say is your biggest challenge?

Managing a sort of checks and balances relationship with creativity and time constraints. My goal is always to make something look beautiful and function well, but I have to keep deadlines in mind. At first, I felt like the time constraints were hindering my creativity, but as I have become more familiar with the speed I have found that it encourages me to be even more creative. It also makes me more decisive and forces me to develop very clear concepts.

What inspires you?

Research. Learning something new or seeing something exciting is my way of finding inspiration. Being thoughtful and observant is hugely important in my career and I try and get inspired by everything that I am surrounded by. Getting different perspectives is a great way to compare and contrast your own point of view, which lets you grow more knowing of what you have to offer and what you enjoy doing.

What role do you think designers should play in going green?

We have an obligation to take care of the world we live in, and as designers, we have a great impact. What we do is very related to our environment, whether it's using paper or using energy for interactive work. It would be great to see studios use paper responsibly and to educate themselves about how they are affecting the global community. We should also educate clients on how their electronic or printed material could best help us fulfill our responsibility to sustain a healthy environment.

What would your top piece of advice be for other designers just getting started in the industry?

Ask lots of questions. Ask everyone lots of questions. People in and around the industry are your greatest resource for advice, counsel, and inspiration. Going it alone is pretty scary and most people are happy to share their experiences with you. I have learned so much about my field and about being a professional by asking questions. Ask about your work, too. Getting feedback is crucial because it is too easy to get lost in an idea and lose the bigger picture, and critique helps to keep you grounded.

In what way does being a part of AIGA enhance your career being a designer?

The AIGA is the greatest resource for people in our career to be a part of the design community. With the AIGA I am in contact with countless other people in my field, which allows me to stay current and connected. The AIGA is also a great resource for research; online I can look at other people's portfolios or access a huge archive of quality work from past and present.

Posted by newyorkupstate in Member Interview | May 10, 2010