Design influences lives in ways I never imagined—and it has profoundly influenced mine.
It all began in high school when I first discovered graphic design. During my junior year, I got accepted into Bollman Technical Education, a program where we could explore potential career paths. I knew I wanted to be a creative person but also use my creative knowledge to help people. I became captivated by the way design allowed the community to view things in different ways and the way it had an effect on people. I also loved the design process, particularly when it came to branding. I had no idea what I was getting into but I knew this was my calling.
As I delved deeper into design, I found a desire to collaborate with nonprofit organizations. I grew up in a low-income, single parent family. My mom of three kids was working 12-hour shifts, making ends meet and still got us everything we needed. So I know what it’s like to struggle and need some extra support and that’s where nonprofits have such a big impact on everyday families like ours. Working with nonprofits directly would mean so much to me after everything I’ve been through.
One thing I always struggled with was expressing my emotions. I would often keep my feelings inside, always too hesitant to be open. But my experience as a graphic designer has aided me in overcoming that. When I design something, I feel my own self shining through, making my work stronger. A professor of mine once said, “vulnerability will be your superpower.”
My goal is for my designs to transform the lives of those around me and leave a long-lasting impact. In my search for an internship, I sought a team dedicated to community-driven design, one that prioritized the well-being of their clients and collaborated with nonprofit organizations. I discovered Barefoot PR and what intrigued me was their mission and values as an agency, which closely matched my design passions. Additionally, they are a women-owned design firm and I believe women embody strength and power.
I’m excited to continue my journey in graphic design as a senior in the Communication Design program at MSU Denver and intern at Barefoot. My hope is to create transformative designs that are bold, impactful and radiant.
Written by Ana Robles, Intern at Barefoot PR