Meet SUMMER 2023 TEAM

+ Who inspires you?

Many people from different walks of life inspire me and the quality that is a common thread among them is 'authenticity'. Its easier said than done to be authentic in a world that is driven by social-media. What we hope we are providing our students, in that regard, is a space to be themselves, to listen to their voice through design.

+ What is your favorite part of running DesignX?

My most favorite part by far, is watching the delight in kids when they see their work coming together - that moment of surprise when they realize that they made an idea come alive! It's simply precious.

+ What is your professional background?

Growing up with a fantastic floral designer as a mother I was immersed into the world of design at an early age. She would constantly teach me the importance of scale, movement, contrast, etC. within designs. This along with my knack for wanting to learn how things were made, ultimately led me to a BS in industrial design from San Francisco State University. During my studies I have studied abroad in Ireland, worked as a furniture making intern, and have produced new materials from Rice hulls a byproduct of rice farming.

+ Who inspires you?

I am inspired by a great many things however I am constantly inspired by my peers, mainly my brother who is my best friend and greatest mentor. We motivate each other and help inspire ideas, emotions, and solutions. Another source of inspiration for me is natural bodies of water. It seems as though every time I do a cold plunge in the ocean, or river I find myself feeling more connected with nature and more stimulated.

+ What is something few people know about you?

Few people know that I have lived in both Ireland and Portugal for about 8 months each to understand my roots better, as I grew up and lived with my Portuguese Grandma and my mother is Irish. Both trips helped me realize their cultures and in a way gave me a better understanding of my own, which was both extremely fun and (going back to the 2nd question) inspiring.

+ What inspires you?

I am inspired by the social landscape. I use social justice to fuel my design so the struggles and stories of my community inspire my work.

+ What is your professional background?

I am a clothing designer and have worked mostly in activewear including sports and dance apparel. I just graduated from UC Davis with an MFA in Design.

+ What have you been working on lately?

Lately I’ve been working on clothing to protect activists from violence. This work was created in response to the number of injuries sustained by protesters during the 2020 protesting of the Murder of George Floyd

+ Where are you from?

I am originally from the Bay Area and I went to school and worked in Los Angeles. I recently moved back to the Bay Area to have better air quality and less traffic!

+ What inspires you?

I am inspired by nature and learning new things on my own and from others. Connecting with nature is very important when I am in a creative block. No matter where I go I am always learning something new either from my surroundings or others.

+ What is your professional background?

My professional background includes graduating with a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Most recently I have been working in the film and tv industry as a costume assistant. One of my most favorite experiences was working on the annual Rose Bowl Parade 2023. Previously, in high school I was the costume designer and team lead where I led and guided other students all four years.

+ Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Shiraz, Iran. I moved to the United States a year ago to pursue my master’s degree and currently, I’ve been living in Ames, Iowa.

+ Who inspires you?

I draw inspiration from the myriad works of art that surround me, finding profound inspiration in their concepts and executions. In addition, I find great admiration for renowned fashion designers, whose creations and the underlying principles they embody captivate my attention. By closely observing their works and delving into the conceptual framework that underpins them, I derive immense motivation and stimulation for my own creative endeavors.

+ What is your professional background?

At the age of 16, I embarked on a professional journey in fashion design by enrolling in a technical school, where I honed my skills and knowledge in this field. Even during my early childhood, I passionately engaged in creative pursuits, crafting bags out of cardboard materials. Despite my limited grasp of mathematical concepts at that time, my creative spirit remained undeterred, driving me to explore the world of fashion design with unwavering enthusiasm.

+ Where are you from?

I was raised in Shiraz, Iran, and lived there for most of my life. I moved to the United States five years ago, and have been traveling with my partner, lived in Raleigh, NC, completed my master's degree in Portland, OR, and currently reside in Seattle.

+ What is your professional background?

I hold a Master of Science in Sports Product Design from the University of Oregon in Portland, along with a Master of Mechanical Engineering. I have a few years of practical experience as a mechanical design engineer and a softgoods designer, as well as a graduate teaching assistant in human-centered design, 3D modeling, and design thinking.

+ What have you been working on lately?

Lately, I’ve been focused on bag design projects, where I explore innovative softgoods technologies using design thinking principles. I also work as a product designer for therapy beds, prototyping assistive devices. Additionally, I’m developing my research plan in softgoods technologies and expanding my knowledge in textile engineering and knitting.

+ Where are you from?

I am from Turkey (Turkiye).

+ What is your professional background?

I just graduted with a master's degree in architecture from California College of the Arts. I did my internship at 19six Architects. At college I was Vice President of AIAS CCA Chapter which is a student led non-profit organization committed to advancing architecture and education. As an independent nonprofit, the AIAS offers a range of dynamic programs, valuable information, and abundant resources, addressing critical issues in the field. I have worked as a Graduate Teaching assistant in an interior studio class with undergraduate students.

+ What have you been working on lately?

My most recent project was my thesis project: designing a new urban re- and up-cycling center for e-waste on the site of the existing Apple Store in the heart of downtown San Francisco’s Union Square.

+ Where are you from?

I have grown up and lived in the bay area all my life. I currently live in Los Altos.

+ What inspires you?

I am inspired by achievements that go against the odds. People inspire me when they achieve things that were doubted by others.

+ What are your interests?

I am a junior at Los Altos High School, where I am an official peer tutor. I am the Vice President of a program that teaches the Rubik’s cube to elderly people and kids, called Rubik’s Buoy. I have worked at Design X as a Creative Assistant in the past.

+ Where are you from?

I am Egyptian-Pakistani, and was born in London, but I moved to the United States when I was five.

+ What are some of yoru interests?

At Synapse school, I’ve lead a creative writing, fashion design, and dance elective, as well as participating in the garden club and helping younger kids during recess. Outside of school, I have been a CIT at Galileo summer camp.

+ What have you been working on lately?

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with water colors, practicing tailoring clothing, and sketching portraits with pencil.

+ Where are you from?

I am from Mountain View California and I have been living here my whole life.

+ What are some of your interests?

I have been designing for about 3 years and I am currently working towards getting my degree in fashion design. I was recently lucky enough to take part in my school's annual fashion show where I got to design 3 looks.

+ What is something few people know about you?

Very few people know that I like to sing. Growing up my mom would always sing to my sister and I so music has always been a significant part of my life.

+ What inspires you?

I am very inspired by the essence of childhood, both from my personal recollections and also by reflecting on how the lens of experience changes from one chapter of life to the next. As a young adult, I find themes of child-like joy, curiosity, and innocence very comforting, and I think everyone has their younger selves and indulgences at the core of their identity—no matter their age.

+ What are some of your interests?

I am currently a rising sophomore at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), majoring in Industrial Design.

+ What have you been working on lately?

For one of my second semester final projects at RISD, I created My Korean-American Picnic, which is a picnic of different foods that embody my Korean ancestry and the history that I carry, the cultural nuances between my Korean and American identity, and the historical changes in cuisine between the generations of my lineage. Being a hyphenated American is inevitably a significant part of who I am, and I look forward to fusing Korean and American culture in my future designs.

+ Where are you from?

I grew up in California, and have been living in Los Altos for the past 8 years.

+ What are some of your interests?

I am currently a rising junior at Los Altos High School, where I am an officer for several clubs. Most notably, I am involved with TEDxLAHS, where we encourage students to speak out on topics they are passionate about.

+ What is something few people know about you?

Something that not many people know about me is that I do classical Chinese dance, and have been competing for 5 years.

+ Where are you from?

I’m from the north suburbs of Chicago (Vernon Hills, IL). My family recently moved to San Jose, so I’m spending my summer in the Bay!

+ What are some of your interests?

I’m a rising third year undergraduate student at USC in the Bachelor of Architecture program (B. Arch ‘26). I’m a part of the undergraduate architecture student council (uASC) and a Content Editor for SPACE Magazine, a student-run architecture publication at USC.

+ What is something few people know about you?

I was born in Kansas - I’m a true midwesterner!