Lauren Andersen has always had hustle and drive, whether she was pursuing her career goals or working retail jobs when she was younger. Her college professors provided rich opportunities that were just as impactful as any standard coursework. “They lent me cameras they had used to photograph Andy Warhol, gave me honest critiques, and appreciated […]
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Elizabeth Rees comes from a tradition of printing, and knows that the right graphics can have a lasting impact. The family business specialized in large-format projects like billboards and advertisements found on buses. When Rees lived in Manhattan, she helped a friend who needed to update her office, and came up with a peel-and-stick wallpaper. […]
Interior designer Gala Magriñá studied film and television at New York University, and after graduation she wanted a job that would allow her to continue to make movies to submit to festivals. She accepted a position with Italian clothing brand Diesel creating window and in-store displays. Magriñá eventually opened her own production agency and orchestrated […]
When Jackson Schwartz was a teenager he watched videos of glassblowing and was transfixed by the process. As he worked with glass he became fully immersed in the craft, responding to the material as it changed. It became a meditative practice for him, and it is one that still resonates today. After studying abroad for […]
When Lise Vester was completing her design school application, it marked a turning point in her life. Exploring an open-ended theme of family, she visited a hospice center. It was there that Vester experienced the concept of healing architecture, and also realized that she could merge her intuitive instincts with her passion to create something […]
When architect and painter Leo Marmol was a student, he was an awkward and shy boy. His sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Laurie, had him give presentations to the class until he was more comfortable. His instructor not only helped young Leo gain self-confidence, he also sparked his love for learning beyond the standard curriculum. The Salk […]
A native of Denmark, Stine Find Osther embraced artistic pursuits at an early age. She explored a range of media, from painting to sculpture, even before her formal design education began. Drawn to color and tactility, Osther focused on the path ahead. “I have always known my way forward – and creativity has always been […]
Ben Mickus has always gravitated to the art of making, even from an early age. His first job was in a lumber yard, where he learned the fundamentals of craftsmanship. He decided to study architecture and lived in Copenhagen for a year, traveling extensively throughout Denmark. It was an exciting time of exploration for Mickus […]
A career path to architecture unfolded for Elizabeth Graziolo when she was accepted into the architecture program at Cooper Union in New York City. At the time, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, yet within a few months at the storied institution her course was set. “After my first semester everything clicked,” Graziolo […]
Damien Carrette has devoted himself to two passions throughout his life, drawing and motocross. He eagerly explored these seemingly disparate worlds. It struck a chord, though, when he realized that he was more comfortable sitting in chairs than his motorcycle seat – he wanted to make products that people could use and enjoy. “I delved […]
Jolie Ngo first enrolled in the sculpture program when she began her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. It wasn’t quite what she had envisioned, and she decided to take a break from school for a few years. She spent a summer working with Brian Rochefort, who is known for vibrant pieces that […]
Ceramist Alex Matisse is a member of a storied family of artists and inventors, including his great-grandfather Henri Matisse and father Paul. Raised in a small New England town, he was making things from clay in the fourth grade. By the time he entered high school it was all that he wanted to do. Matisse […]
Rooted in Scandinavian principles, the work of Danish designer Rikke Frost exemplifies simplicity, elegance, and a deep commitment to sustainability. She crafts pieces that inspire and endure, often looking to traditions markedly different from her own for inspiration. When Frost was 19 she spent more than a year traveling through South America, and the ancient […]
Makers Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow are known for their artistic approach to materials and composition, with a range of influences from fashion to traditional craftsmanship. Upcycling pioneers, the duo began their design journey by reinventing furniture and objects in their signature style. During an early open studio they asked people to bring in […]
From an early age Amanda Leigh had an affinity for art, and she was intrigued by residences of various styles. She was also a volunteer for the Appalachia Service Project, which provides home repairs and replacements for income-eligible families. Yet no matter what other interests captured her attention, she always found her way back to […]
When Karim El-Ishmawi was a child he often visited a home located in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. The memorable residence, integrated into the mountainside, was designed by Hans Ziegler. Spacious and multilayered on the inside, the structure is barely visible from the outside, and to the young El-Ishmawi it was comparable to a […]
Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Amanda Gunawan knew that she wanted to be an architect by the time she was 10 years old, and she carefully mapped out her journey from then on. Travel was a key element of her enrichment as she considered various structures while studying at the Southern California Institute […]
10. Larry Booth Shares the Places + Spaces That Captivate Him + More Larry Booth’s natural flair for design and architectural convictions have garnered him some 50+ years of professional practice where he has significantly contributed to Chicago’s cultural landscape in addition to the broader academic arena. As the founder and principal/director of Booth Hansen, […]
From a young age Icelandic product designer Theodóra Alfreðsdóttir knew she would follow an artistic path, and was particularly inspired after she watched the film Mrs. Doubtfire. Sally Field’s character, Miranda, a mother and interior designer, had beautiful sketches and fabric swatches that Alfreðsdóttir was fascinated by. When Alfreðsdóttir began seriously considering her options, she […]
As a child, Dan Harden was always drawing, painting, or taking apart appliances and lawnmower engines. His parents encouraged the fledgling maker to follow his creative instincts, and he already knew what his career would be, even though he didn’t have a name for it yet. “I was born to be an industrial designer, and […]
Growing up in Geneva, Switzerland with a Norwegian mother and Sicilian father, Giulio Barresi was convinced he would follow a more traditional route, with an emphasis on biology. As he looked into more artistic fields he became intrigued, and decided to study media interaction design at university. Photography was a starting point, but soon his […]
Switzerland-born, Texas-based weaver Anya Molyviatis’ creative journey was shaped by her fascination with natural and built spaces, particularly their impact on human perception. After studying sustainable architecture in California, she eventually traveled to Taos, New Mexico. While there, Molyviatis apprenticed with a master weaver, refining her techniques and deepening her focus on material research. It […]
Sallyann Corn always knew that she would end up in a profession where she could utilize her imagination and translate ideas into forms. Growing up in a small town, however, meant that she had only heard of three potential tracks: art, architecture, and fashion. Her interest in clothing then led to an exploration of visual […]
Kevin Frankental tried different mediums throughout his life, but he could never fully commit to a particular endeavor until he paid a visit to a friend’s steel workshop. Even though it wasn’t in an ideal location, the space was an oasis for the makers and Frankental, too. From that moment on, he knew what he […]
