My dad was an artist and graphic designer. I inherited his artistic talent and, nurtured by my mother, combined it with my interest in home design. I chose to major in Interior Design at the University of Oklahoma, which focuses on commercial design. Upon graduation, I started working for an architecture firm as a junior interior designer. What inspires me to design is the opportunity to solve problems in a way that is both efficient and beautiful.
There were times that I had to downplay my experience and intelligence in order for a male teammate to listen to my ideas. It can be dehumanizing to have to choose between representing my capabilities and the improvement of a project.