Like most people my age, ten years ago I had a plan for how I saw my life going. I would have a budding career in my intended field by this age. A husband, house, and a handful of kids by that age. And I surely would be finished with any and all schooling as I neared the age of thirty... I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of telling a story. I used to have tens and tens (if not hundreds) of books as a kid and would spend hours reading and rereading as I stared at the illustrations. As I grew older my interests shifted to storyboarding and how Disney could completely envelope you in anticipation of the release of their latest feature. And now as an adult I am constantly surprised at how well a company’s branding speaks to the aesthetics of my soul. Case in point: Target. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that graphic design is telling a story, and what’s more, it is the attention to the details that incites memorability and connection. It is the kerning of letters and the selection of harmonious colors. It is even so much as the consideration of an audience and the subtle decorum of not offending them. The past ten years of my life have been filled with stories of all shapes, sizes, lengths, and varying levels of defeat and triumph. And much like graphic design, these stories have taught and will continue to teach me valuable lessons in telling my story and the stories of others through a willingness to understand and persevere. If admitted into the graphic design program, it will be my goal to learn and apply myself as much as humanly possible to become the best graphic designer I can be and contribute to the world design and society. Ultimately through my abilities as a graphic designer I hope to be a visually creative and communicative voice from the perspective of a woman, Muslim, and Black-American and work closely with those communities (especially in Alabama and the South) to advance their socioeconomic goals.
