Alysa Daves, an environmental product design major from Pasadena, California, plans to start a project or work with a company she aligns with morally after graduation and plans to travel "safely" when she can to gain more perspectives as an environmental designer.
Aside from all of the long nights in the ENVD basement freshman year, I think one of my favorite memories was in the spring of my junior year. I was taking Marcel's EPOD 3100 and he gave us the opportunity, as a class, to design our own studio space. We spent the first few mornings planning out seating, shelving, and lighting options in order to create a space we all felt comfortable working in. This has to be one of my favorite memories just because it felt special and like I was personally a part of my studio.
Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
I have been a TA in ENVD for the past year and have really enjoyed helping other students navigate the program. Outside of ENVD, I have a strong interest in graphic and packaging design. I look forward to merging my EPOD knowledge with those interests.
What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I loved how the ENVD program gave a big school like CU a small school feel. I knew the smaller studios and ability to connect with my peers would push me to become a better designer.
What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
I think the greatest lesson I've learned in ENVD is to connect with those around you. Over the past four years, I have gained so much from simply just reaching out to my professors and classmates. Collectively, I've not only learned a lot but have gained creative confidence through this.
Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice would be to love what you're doing. With a major like ENVD, projects can be long and tedious at times. By tailoring your deliverables to you (whether it be a park, a product, poster, etc…), it can make the experience so much more meaningful in the end. Plus, you'll be proud to put it into your portfolio in the end.
If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
I would say thank you. Thank you for motivating me, for all their feedback throughout the years, and during all those late nights in studio.
What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college to me represents a beginning. I am thankful for the foundation that ENVD has built for me and am looking forward to getting out there and applying it to the working world.