The world of visual arts and design is something that's always intrigued me on a personal level. When I think back to my younger days, there were times I held back from expressing myself creatively because I was worried about what others might think. Those memories have definitely left their mark on me. They've made me really value the idea of nurturing creativity and letting your unique self shine. You can't deny the impact that technology, like artificial intelligence and digital art, has had on how we create. It's opened up so many new possibilities and pushed the boundaries of what's considered traditional. But in the midst of all this tech, I can't help but circle back to the core essence of art—it's not just about the medium, it's about the stories, feelings, and viewpoints that artists pour into their work. Looking forward, I have a long-term project in mind that I’m really looking forward to developing and launching—an artist commission app. I'm aiming to empower individuals to boldly showcase their uniqueness. Remembering my own struggles with self-expression, I want to build a platform where artists can confidently show off their talents and get the recognition and compensation they deserve. This project is really about storytelling—many people have stories to tell but don’t have the skill set to bring them to life. On the app, clients can choose from a multitude of artists and request and purchase commissions all on one platform. By connecting artists with potential clients, the app will become this space where all sorts of art forms can flourish. I also want the app focus on protecting artists from being taken advantage of. The app will be a safe space where artists and clients can collaborate with each other securely and creatively. Being a student of the arts, my commitment is bigger than just tech trends; it's about being a champion of true self-expression. My goal is to be the bridge between technology's potential and the personal narratives that make up creative journeys. My own journey has taught me that real magic happens when individuals feel empowered to share their stories in ways that are unique to them. Through this project, I'm hoping to add to a world that's all about embracing and celebrating individual expression. In the end, my exploration of the world of art and design isn't just about tech and fancy tools—it's about understanding the urges we all have to express ourselves and appreciating those who are brave enough to do the same. My project is about turning up the volume on creators' voices, creating an environment where everyone's uniqueness is celebrated, and the art of storytelling stays evergreen in a world that's constantly changing. Thank you all for this opportunity!

Significant Influences, Artistic Ambitions, and Unique Skills: A Journey of Self-Discovery In life, many people leave deep-rooted marks on our journeys, shaping our perspectives, aspirations, and abilities. For me, the person who has had the most influence on my life is my mother. Looking back on the mountain of life lessons and hard truths she’s given me, I recognize how privileged I was to grow up with such a strong black woman as a role model. Her unwavering support, growing wisdom, and diverse spirit continues to push me forward on my creative journey. From crossing the threshold of highschool graduation to facing college head-on, my artistic skills are evolving into a powerful tool, and my plans to use them intertwine with my unique perspective and experiences. Since I was born everyone said I acted just like my mom. Headstrong, immune to authority, and a feisty attitude was never just a part of my behavior, it was my lifestyle. However, around the time I turned nine, the fire in me seemed to have burnt out somehow. I went from being “Mama’s little twin” to her complete opposite as my sassy comebacks and fiery attitude were replaced with timid silence and compliance. Even as I got older, trading my self worth for the acceptance of others, she supported me throughout my life. Through the depression-riddled years of middle school, to attending my first therapy session, to now feeding me her experience in finances. My mother's influence on my life is nothing short of immeasurable. Her dedication to my success, consistent encouragement, and unyielding belief in me ignited that weary flame, and turned it into a wildfire. Not only did my mother guide me through bettering my personal life, but she also introduced me to my dream school, Savannah College of Art and Design. Now, my dream school is about to become a reality this fall. SCAD has a plethora of career opportunities, so after I graduate with my Bachelor’s in graphic design, my plan is to merge my artistic abilities with modern technology to create experiences that resonate and connect with people on a deeper level. I’m really interested in gaining experience designing for companies like Disney, Cartoon Network, or 20th Century Studios. Designing things like graphic animations or digital illustrations are skills I want to explore in the design industry. Through the field of digital art, I aim to nurture my artistic skills and my knowledge in both the principles of design and the business of the industry itself. Combining my personal experiences and diverse influence is what sets my art apart. I have been exposed to various perspectives, skills, and backgrounds. This rich tapestry of experience finds its way into my work, infusing it with complex layers of relatability with my imagination. My artwork is the result of my own thoughts, feelings, and inspirations and I encourage my audiences to express their own. In the end, my mother's influence, coupled with my artistic ambitions, has paved the way for a future where I can use my skills to create impactful experiences for the people around me. What truly sets me apart is the unique blend of my diverse background and burning passion to capture the essence of the human imagination through my art. By combining it with emerging technologies, I will to create experiences that resonate deeply with audiences across the globe. As I embark on this exciting journey, I will remain committed to pushing the boundaries of my creativity and living a life I can be proud of, just as my mother showed me. Thank you for this opportunity!

To me, design, similar to art, is a means of expression that enables designers to express themselves in a plethora of ways! I think it also means helping others who don’t have the skillset of designers, bring their visions to life. Pursuing a career in design would be transformative for me as it offers the uncommon opportunity to work in a field that is not only financially rewarding but also personally fulfilling! My number one fear is being stuck in a career that trades my happiness for money. But a career in design offers a balance between financial stability and creative satisfaction, allowing me to merge my passion for artistic expression with a highly valued profession. Design goes beyond aesthetics, involving understanding people's needs and desires. In pursuing it as a career, I am able to empower individuals by promoting authentic self-expression and enhancing their overall experience. It would enable me to continuously learn and grow, collaborating with diverse individuals and organizations to solve problems and actually make a positive impact! Ultimately, design is a powerful tool for transforming lives, and I am dedicated to utilizing it to help others communicate and thrive.

In the summer of 2022, I was taking Design 101 at the Savannah College of Art and Design. At the time we were learning about cause posters and our professor, went through various examples of the type of art we would be creating. We had to take regular photographs and use them as a canvas to spread awareness about a cause of our choosing. At the time, Roe v. Wade and Black Lives Matter were popular subjects but I wanted to bring to light something that’s not widely talked about by the media. After some hard brainstorming, I finally settled on my cause. I wanted to use my photograph to depict the extreme pressure that is put on teenagers to plan out their entire lives before they leave high school. I had my idea, the difficult part was bringing it to life. I asked my roommate to help take the picture that would set the stage for my piece. Back in design class, our teacher had us upload our photos, edit them so it was in black and white, and set us loose to design our cause posters. I used a mixture of Posca paint pens, felt tip markers, and colored pencils to achieve the look I was after. The pressure of having to plan your whole life before you get out of high school was one of the hardest causes to put on paper. Mainly because every person experienced differently as a kid and in many ways, it’s normalized. To contain what I wanted to say in one artistic photo, I had to break it down further. Each part of the piece represents the four most important aspects of the cause I had chosen. First, the bold, red slogan, “NO PLAN NO FUTURE”, was put there to draw attention to the message I wanted to send. Even before we’re old enough to comprehend what a job is, we’re asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. That same question shows its face throughout our childhood, but as soon as you hit ninth grade the education system starts to get a little more aggressive. The idea that you have to have a plan in place is repeated in more ways than one, and I wanted to say in my poster what we had to read between the lines of our education. Second, the two beings I drew in the photo were the two sides of the spectrum. The black demon represented every voice that we heard as kids, be it teachers, our parents, or even ourselves telling us we wouldn’t have a future without a plan. The grey demon was less of an evil entity and more of an anxious one. He was the voice in our heads that always questioned if our plan was complete or good enough to follow, whether we liked it or not. Third, was the dripping bulb. Most people choose a career based on money or economic status. In doing this, we often lose whatever passions or creativity we used to have in return for the guarantee of a better financial situation. I wanted to visualize what it looks like when we tap into that passion. And finally, the earbuds. Those were to represent the methods of escapism often used by teenagers to get away from the pressures they’re put under. Music was the method I, and a majority of my other peers, used. The four ideas in my cause poster came together beautifully. I was so unbelievably happy with my creation that, even now, I still consider it my favorite piece.

I have read many books over the course of my life. Most entailed adventures, fictional mysteries, and plot twists that fueled my imagination as a child. As a teenager, I got lost. I had spent my life putting on charades for others and had forgotten who I was. It was in books that I really felt the freedom of being one’s self. After starting my journey to self-discovery, I found out about self-help books. In February, 2023, I purchased my first one. I went from the Bones graphic novel series to The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. I’ve long believed that in order for me, and anyone else, to change the world, I must learn what changes I need to make to myself. In the words of J. Cole, “The only real revolution happens right inside of you.” Books took me from a world of wonder and adventures to a world that shows me how to heal myself. Joseph Murphy took his research of the human mind to build his novel, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. I got it to figure out why and how I think. I am currently reading it and I’m sure there are more important lessons to come in later chapters. So far, the most significant lessons I’ve read are the power of affirmations and improving your present moments through gratitude. Implementing these lessons into my daily life I have already learned to unlock pieces of my subconscious mind and how I view my life as a whole. First is the power of affirmations. So, how did saying positive messages over and over help improve my impact on the world? Well, it didn’t. It helped improve my impact on myself. More specifically, it improved how I see myself. And that, in turn, improved how I see the world, because I see the world through myself. I used to look at myself in the mirror and think about everything I have done so far, and think that it wasn’t enough. Staring into my own tired eyes, I said “I am enough. I’ve done some pretty awesome things. I am enough.” I would repeat those words in my head, and out loud, even if I didn't believe them. Until, I looked in the mirror at those same tired eyes, but this time there was a light inside them. “I am enough. I’m doing some pretty dope stuff.” This time it was like a reminder, a checkpoint so I could keep going. Joseph Murphy’s book taught me that just repeating a simple positive affirmation can really benefit my view of self and improve how I see my impact on the world. Finally, the most essential of Murphy’s lessons, utilizing the expression of gratitude. I have a hard time living in the moment because my brain is often running at high speed in a million different directions. The book teaches that by appreciating the moment, being present can become a beautiful experience. Maybe sitting in traffic or standing in a long line doesn’t sound like much of an experience. I learned that taking things from the moment itself and being grateful for them makes being present easier and more gratifying. Sometimes, while sitting in traffic on the way to school, I’ll look over to see the sunrise coming into view. It’s those things that made me appreciate life more and also have the desire to make it better. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind showed me how to better myself as a persona and helped me see the world through new eyes. Eyes full of optimism, self-love, and capability.

Seeing as I am one of the thousands of people-pleasers in the world, I figured this question would come easy to me. But the reality is that pleasing people because you don't want them to dislike you is not generosity. When you think about it, genuine kindness and generosity are rarely seen in everyday life. Generosity isn't the constrained smile of a store clerk, followed by the same forced welcome that's left their mouth a hundred times already. It's not an overworked mom shoving a pacifier in her baby's face to shut it up, or a woman accepting a date from a sketchy guy who doesn't know the difference between a catcall and a compliment. We do these things because we feel like we have to like the receiver is entitled to our obligatory service and artificial kindness, but that's not what generosity is. Generosity is the email from your teacher instructing you to take a mental break and confirming a three-week extension on that project you couldn't finish. It's your best friend suddenly "contracting a rare virus" and having to be rushed to the hospital, forcing you to bail out on that sketchy date. The official definition of generosity is "the quality of being kind and generous", but those qualities are often forced. To me, generosity means that you are the cause of someone's happiness and comfort because it makes you happy and comfortable.

1. I deserve this scholarship for the same reason Elon Musk spent all his allowance on an express trip back to Mars... because I have nothing better to do. 2. I'm thinking about growing my own garden outside my luxury cottage in quiet village near (but not too near) human civilization. I plan on showing my face once every fifth day of the month so I can charge people $450 an hour to breathe the same air as me. And if that doesn't work out... Doja Cat's personal housemaid. 3. I had to overcome the crippling pressure of human society, old people bargaining with my future for a paycheck, and the annoying, eye-rolling existence of these meat bags labeled as "humans". After dodging those bullets I am currently overcoming the unnecessarily long waiting period for my check, (provided by the US Government), for emotional compensation.