I was born at Humana Hospital in Hoffman Estates, IL, weighing in at 6 pounds, 9.4 ounces. It was right there in the nursery where I picked up my first pencil and sketched my rendition of the Mona Lisa, complete with the smirk.

Just kidding.

I grew up in Elk Grove Village, a suburb of Chicago, IL. Beginning in elementary school, I always had an interest in art. In fact, one of the watercolors I painted in fourth grade still hangs on a wall in my parents' house. In junior high, I began to learn new varieties of art forms. A few of the things that I enjoyed included printmaking, collaging, and even designing the school logo that is still being used today. It wasn't until I entered high school, though, when I truly discovered an artform about which I am passionate - graphic design.

During my first two years in high school, I took traditional art classes which taught form, composition, shape and value among other things. However, my junior year I enrolled in an art imaging class which introduced me to a new art medium that I found very intriguing. Creating artwork through the help of a computer allowed me to explore new worlds of design that I wasn't able to experience with conventional art. Programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop gave me the freedom to put photographs into digital images that I had created. This form of art also meshed well with my individual style.

After that initial course in design, I enrolled in as many classes as I could that dealt with computer imaging before I graduated. My senior year, I took Advanced Placement (AP) Art, and my final concentration comprised of a barrage of digital works pertaining to the theme of real people entering a digital world, much like I had done in reality. As I came to the end of my high school days, I looked forward to entering college, hoping it would offer me a fresh outlook and perspective on design and would help me grow to be a professional designer.

Today, I am still on my path toward becoming the designer that I have always aspired to be. College has helped me learn more about myself and has taught me valuable design skills. Attending Drake University has been an excellent opportunity to put my skills to use through freelance work for various organizations on campus. I have designed posters for the Public Relations committee which have been placed around campus. I have designed T-shirts for multiple events which people continue to wear long after the event has passed. I have designed logos that still adorn refrigerators and T-shirts today. I have done a lot; but, I still have a lot to learn.

I look forward to taking my final step into the real world where I will gain hands-on, professional experiece and knowledge. Even though I will soon earn my bachelor's degree, I will be learning new things my whole life, and I can't wait for that adventure to begin.

Personal Statement:
I would like to design advertisements for various media such as magazines, newspapers, billboards, and television commercials. I want to take an active part in my role as a graphic design artist and advertising designer so that I might understand the creative side as well as the marketing and promotional side of visual communication.