Hi!

I'm Mikayla, originally from Cincinnati Ohio, and hailing from Purdue University, and I am all about the tiny details in design, not just aesthetically, but experientially - the kind that make people think, "WOW, they really thought of everything" I love diving into research to find the information that reveals what needs to change so I can design effective solutions. I am quick on my feet with ideas and enjoy collaborating with others. Teamwork and strong leadership are important to me, and I am always ready to step up and organize a plan to ensure we meet our goals. Understanding and valuing other's unique ideas is crucial, as it builds a solid foundation for creating exceptional products and concepts.

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When I'm not immersed in design, I enjoy the hands-on-problem solving of rock climbing, visiting art museums to get inspiration, mixology, soaking up the great outdoors, and chatting with friends and new faces. Conversations don't scare me - they're my ticket to understanding the wonderful variety of people out there, especially during my design research. I firmly believe that as designers, we hold the keys to understanding the world, and we should seek inspiration in every nook and cranny.  

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Looking forward, my goals are clear. I recognize that the curiosity and excitement for bottle packaging (fine wines & spirits), cosmetic packaging, and luxury goods packaging, that gets me distracted at the store may be my true calling. When I see a product that I want to buy, it is often the packaging I like rather than the product itself, and that is something I have always found interesting on the design research and branding side. If it isn't packaging design, I want to dive even deeper into understanding user experiences, ensuring that every design decision is grounded in real world insights with design research as I absolutely love trying to understand people. Some may call me a chatter box when I work, but working together on the same initiative is my creative power hour, and I cannot help it. Bouncing off people's ideas and coming up with more detailed micro ideas that others can also bounce off of or give an opinion on is what I really look forward to in the future.