THE DESIGNER Melissa Ewart ’ 02
IN A BUSTLING CITY OF STUDENTS , it ' s hard for a club , student org or resource center to stand out . Melissa Ewart has seen her share of trends come and go over her 10 years spent leading the Associated Students Graphic Studio , a student-operated , in-house creative agency on campus . Along with senior designer Alfredo Vilano ’ 00 , she ’ s helped students create attention-getting promotions and awareness campaigns , just as they ’ ve helped her stay in touch with what ' s trending nowadays .
“ Young people know how to best promote to young people ,” she says . “ When I started in 2008 , they were the ones who said we need to be on Facebook , then with Instagram and so on .”
Before social media , however , the Design Studio grew out of the “ Creation Station ,” a graphic design shop focusing mostly on print posters for student orgs and campus events . Ewart , a visual arts major who worked in event planning with her sorority , Alpha Chi Omega , and then in the tourism industry , jumped at the chance to build something from the ground up . Associated Students soon took ownership of the operation —“ to see if it was accessible ,” Ewart says , " something students would really use .”
Use it they did . AS Design Studio now has upwards of 40 projects going at any given time — anything from rebranding the Sun God Festival to advising the student clothing line , Triton Outfitters . The shop is home to eight student workers from all disciplines , not just the arts . “ Our students come in full of excitement and talent ,” Ewart says . “ They really grow and shine while pursuing their academic studies .”
Former Design Studio workers keep in touch with the space as alumni , even as they pursue careers in marketing or design at companies like Google , Marvel and Disney . “ We ’ re a family team here ,” Ewart says . “ Having a part in the growth of our workers and growth of this campus keeps us growing as well . Just like with any project , I ' m excited to see what happens next .”
WHAT ABOUT YOUR WORKPLACE ?
Do you work with fellow UC San Diego alumni ? Let us know ! We ’ re starting a “ Workplace Showcase ” series highlighting Tritons who work together — so if there are alumni at your job , reach out to tritonmag @ ucsd . edu or @ ucsdalumni on social media .
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