The everyday world is my greatest inspiration. As a Brazilian graphic designer pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in California, my art is about finding beauty in the places and people around me. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was lucky to share a house with artists: a photographer and an illustrator. Joining the photographer on outdoor shoots taught me to notice the subtle beauty in nature. While she worked, I’d sit nearby, sketching. Those quiet moments sparked a deeper connection to the world around me. Living in California has since strengthened that bond. I’ve started hiking, explored Yosemite, and am even planning my first camping trip. These experiences renew my spirit and fuel my creativity. I’m especially drawn to skies, their vivid blues and fiery sunsets inspire me to capture their shifting colors in paintings. My current project focuses on skies in special places, such as a beach in Rio, where I lived, the Cathedral in Brasília where I was born, and Griffith Park, one of my favorite spots. Frequent travel between California and Brazil also shapes my art. Long flights often find me sketching or painting to ease the nostalgia. These pieces help me process the emotional pull of being between two places I love. Even as a graphic designer, my passion for painting and illustration shines through. Incorporating hand-drawn elements into my designs brings me joy and reconnects me with the creative freedom that first inspired me. This scholarship would help me continue exploring these ideas, aligning with my thesis focus on the importance of taking time for personal projects, connecting with nature, and appreciating analog methods such as drawing, painting, and collage. These practices renew my creativity and allow me to express the beauty of everyday moments in meaningful ways.

Heart disease has shaped my family’s story in profound ways, leaving a legacy of resilience and strength. Its impact on my life started even before I was born, when my heart stopped in the womb. I was born prematurely at eight months, purple from lack of oxygen. Though my start in life was uncertain, I turned out to be healthy, tall, and strong—a testament to the care and love that surrounded me. My maternal grandmother’s journey with heart disease profoundly influenced my life. A dedicated schoolteacher, she spent her days teaching children to read and write. She loved her work, but a heart attack forced her into early retirement, taking away the career she cherished. Despite this, she and my grandfather devoted themselves to giving my mom, my sister, and me opportunities they never had. Their hard work and sacrifices allowed me to pursue my education in the United States, a dream they made possible through their resilience and unwavering belief in the power of learning. My grandmother’s strength, even after losing so much, continues to inspire me to face life’s challenges with grace and determination. On my father’s side, my paternal grandmother’s battle with heart disease also left an indelible mark. She lived with a heart valve that was only supposed to last ten years but defied expectations by lasting twenty. Her courage and optimism through years of hospital visits were remarkable. In the months leading to her passing, her condition worsened, and her hospitalization overshadowed my 18th birthday. Many of my family members couldn’t attend the celebration because of her worsening health, and though I understood, it was difficult. A week later, we lost her, and the grief was immense. Her life and loss taught me the importance of cherishing time with loved ones and the enduring power of family bonds. These experiences have shaped how I view obstacles—not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow and honor the sacrifices of those who came before me. Heart disease has tested my family in ways I wouldn’t have chosen, but it has also forged our strength, resilience, and love. My maternal grandparents’ determination to provide a better life and my paternal grandmother’s ability to defy odds for two decades fuel my drive to succeed and give back. Their stories remind me to carry forward their legacy of hard work, generosity, and hope. Through education, I aim to honor their sacrifices and make a difference in ways that reflect their strength and love. Heart disease has challenged my family, but it has also given us a reason to strive for more—and that is the spirit I carry into everything I do.

Why I’ve Chosen My Field of Interest and How I Desire to Make an Impact I have always been drawn to the intersection of creativity, communication, and design. As a graphic designer with a background in communication, I see my field as a powerful tool to connect people, share ideas, and spark change. The ability to create designs that influence perceptions, tell compelling stories, and bring attention to important causes is what fuels my passion. Whether I’m working on branding, album packaging, or advocacy campaigns, I strive to use design as a vehicle for positive impact, especially in a world that is increasingly shaped by visual language. What excites me most about my chosen field is its potential to make a difference beyond aesthetics. Design has the unique ability to engage people on an emotional level and communicate messages that transcend language and cultural barriers. I want to create work that connects with audiences and influences them to think critically about the issues that matter most—whether it’s social justice, sustainability, or mental health. By integrating purpose-driven design into my projects, I aim to raise awareness, foster empathy, and create a sense of shared responsibility within communities. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I’ve always believed that creativity is a universal language. My childhood, shaped by moving to different places, taught me how to adapt and find inspiration in unexpected spaces. These experiences fueled my interest in how cultural narratives, colors, and symbols can bring people together. In my work, I aim to create designs that honor these diverse perspectives while also promoting positive, sustainable change. My goal is to develop design solutions that not only address immediate needs but also create long-term, meaningful engagement with the communities they serve. The drive to make a positive impact stems from my desire to leave a legacy. Much like John Young, who used his expertise to further humanity’s exploration of space, I hope to use my skills to contribute to the world in ways that go beyond personal success. For me, the greatest achievement is knowing that my work has had a lasting effect on individuals and society, whether it’s through raising awareness about critical issues, supporting marginalized voices, or shaping the way we view the world. Through my education and experiences at ArtCenter College of Design, I am honing my technical skills while continuously refining my personal vision. My passion for purposeful design, combined with my background in communication, fuels my ambition to make a difference. I am committed to using design as a tool for empowerment, growth, and positive transformation. By staying true to my values and embracing creative challenges, I am determined to create work that not only reflects the world around us but also contributes to a better future for all.

Growing up with a father in the Air Force shaped much of who I am today. While my sister and friends experienced more frequent moves, my dad made sure that our family’s life felt stable despite the constant transitions. He worked hard to secure assignments that would benefit us and prioritized bringing us back to my hometown whenever possible. Above all, he always ensured I finished the school year before a move, a small gesture that provided me with the consistency I needed. My dad’s career taught me important values that have guided me in my own life, especially the lessons of dedication, resilience, and ambition. One of the most impactful memories I have revolves around an episode of Hannah Montana that aired when I was in middle school. It was my favorite show and it was the last season, which made it emotional already. In this episode, the main character writes a song for her boyfriend’s dad, who is in the military. The song is called "Been here all along" and it is about enduring love despite distance. At the time, I didn’t understand all the lyrics in English, but I understood the emotion behind them—love, sacrifice, and perseverance. It hit me hard because it reflected the very experiences I was living with my dad’s long absences. That moment, sitting alone in the living room with tears in my eyes, made me realize how much my dad’s work and sacrifices meant to our family. It wasn’t just a song on a TV show—it was the story of our lives. My dad’s ambition to serve his country was always evident, but so was his commitment to his family. Despite his demanding career, he always made us feel valued. His impact on me has been immeasurable: he instilled in me the drive to pursue my dreams and make a difference in the world, just as he did in his service. I’ve learned that ambition isn’t just about personal success; it’s about making an impact on the people around you. My dad’s work in the Air Force and his role as a father and husband showed me that true drive is about dedication to something larger than yourself. The sacrifices he made—enduring long periods away from his family and facing the challenges of military life—shaped my own values and ambition. I aspire to follow in his footsteps by pursuing my goals with the same dedication, resilience, and drive to make a difference in my community and in the world. My dad’s influence has shaped the way I view my future. His service wasn’t just about flying planes or earning medals; it was about creating a legacy of commitment, integrity, and love. These are the qualities I carry with me as I work toward my own goals, determined to make a meaningful impact just as my dad did. His life has inspired me to pursue my ambitions, not only for personal success but to serve others and create positive change wherever I can.