Amber Leeds BFA Essay

Amber Leeds
Graphic Design Emphasis

As a child, I was soft-spoken and shy. My parents gave me a small whiteboard and I started utilizing it as a means of communication. I quickly realized that drawing, making charts, and even writing out words could convey what I wanted to say. I used drawing as a means of getting thoughts out on paper. Despite this, I didn't think I would work in the creative field.

As a teenager, I spent my free time photoshopping pictures, drawing, and designing themes for my online friends’ profiles. I enjoyed researching trends and learning new ways to create traditional and digital arts. During my freshman year of high school, I took a digital media class that was suggested to me. As the teacher explained the class, I realized that he was describing exactly what I thought I had just been doing for fun. Within the week, I knew I wanted to pursue graphic design. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join SkillsUSA, complete a graphic design internship at The Standard Examiner, and improve my technical skills at the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College all during my time in high school.

I am influenced by illustrators such as Claire Belton and Lois Van Baarle who showed me how to make something sweet and sincere while designers like Dori Novotny showed me that I could organize those thoughts into a meaningful message. More recently, the Salt Lake City artist Heather Mauler has been a huge inspiration in finding my own voice and learning the importance of being self-driven.

I would also consider the internet as whole as a major influence on my work. Watching how technology has moved from something that is mostly functional to a beautifully designed and user-friendly experience is exciting. Much of the internet still seems cold, sharp, and lifeless though. I’d like to incorporate what I learned from those inspirational artists to create work that brings the human touch back to design. I believe that mixing the digital and geometric with the organic will construct design that truly communicates and becomes relatable.

My college experience has shown me how much I like physically creating things. Although I enjoy rendering projects on my laptop, I think starting things off with physical work is gratifying and that passion shows in the work. Since learning this, I’ve decided that I want to create more with my hands. I would also like to focus on clarity as well as depth in my work.