Treat: What's your canvas?
Andrea: I am a graphic designer. But I also love to draw. So, I work on the computer most of the time but I also love illustration.
Treat: Are you involved in any art/design hobbies? If so, what are they?
Andrea: No, not at the moment.
Treat: What or who inspired you to go into Design, and how did that transpire?
Andrea: I have always loved art—even as a child I was always drawing or coloring or making something. However, when I got my bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina I had an amazing
Professor who really inspired and encouraged me to be a graphic designer. I later applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design and earned my MFA degree in graphic design.
Treat: What was your undergraduate major in college, and how does it help you in design?
Andrea: My undergraduate degree is not even in design actually. I have a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a major in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration. My undergraduate degree has aided me to develop great concepts and know the basics about the advertising and business world. Both of my degrees have really made me a well-rounded person and designer.
Treat: What was the difference between your undergraduate education and graduate school for design?
Andrea: My undergrad degree was in Journalism and Mass Communications and my Graduate degree was in graphic design
Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Andrea: There have been times when I have had limited resources. I always overcame certain challenges by really focusing on the idea of a project and making sure my concepts were strong. Even if I did not have the proper resources to make my projects look phenomenal—I always made sure my ideas were strong.
Treat: Did you have a mentor? If so, what did they do, and how did you meet? If not, how do you maneuver through learning about design and progressing ahead?
Andrea: I did have a mentor who also kind of coached me and help get my portfolio together before I enrolled at The Savannah College of Art and Design, She is a wonderful graphic designer that really taught me
the basics of design. She is also a graphic designer and I met her through a relative of mine.
Treat: More and more schools are taking away art education. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Andrea: Art can really be beneficial to a student. Art allows students to use their imagination and to explore their creativity.Students need to see that having an interest in art can eventually turn into a career. There are many careers out there for people who have a love for the arts.
Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Andrea: My design education has helped me tremendously. Being able to do something I love everyday and make a living is a dream come true.
Treat: What are your design interests for the future?
Andrea: In the future, I would love to teach graphic design with an emphasis in typography at the college level. I would also like to design for children and eventually illustrate children's books.
