The University of Washington selects 100 students from across all three campuses for special recognition each spring. The Husky 100 website says that these students connect activities inside the classroom and beyond to make a difference at the UW, in communities, and into the future.
We are proud that two students from the School were selected for the Husky 100 this year. Both are graduating in June 2022. Dustin Mara is receiving a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Visual Communication Design and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Studies. Joyce Lin is earning a BDes in Interaction Design and a minor in Art History. Read more about their UW experiences and future plans below.
Joyce Lin
Husky 100
Being a Husky 100 is an honor that I never thought I could achieve when I started out at UW. This is a testament to the significant academic, professional, and personal growth I’ve undergone in my past four years thanks to the incredible mentors who have taught and guided me along the way. Some of these mentors were also in past Husky 100 cohorts, and being a part of that legacy of disabled student activists is the highest honor for me.
Reflections
The UW Design program had a huge influence on my Husky experience. Namely, my design cohort of hard-working, ambitious, supportive, and inspiring people. Through the long nights, weekly critiques, thoughtful conversations, and hugs after tears, the rigorous program, faculty, and community honed me to become a better designer and person. I wouldn't be who I am today without these wonderful people!
Words of Wisdom
Find your passions and connect with communities in and outside of design! Learning and drawing from other fields to bring into your design practice makes the work much more motivated and rewarding. Design doesn’t happen in a vacuum, so when you challenge traditional ways of thinking with these outside perspectives, the work is more original and thoughtful. Design came to life and became more impactful when I brought other interests into my projects.
Most importantly, learn to set boundaries and prioritize your health. It’s so difficult to balance life and health in any creative program/career, but knowing and honoring your limits will help your creativity flourish.
Post-Graduation Plans
I’m looking forward to a real break this summer with travel plans before starting out as a UX Designer at Amazon! In the longer term, I hope to one day be in research & development labs to apply disability justice in innovation and ensure that the design of consumer technologies is accessible for all.
Dustin Mara
Husky 100
Being a part of this year's Husky 100 cohort is honorable recognition for all the experiences and effort put into the past four years. From being a part of a Division I athletic program to being accepted to the design program to having to choose between the two to all the small and large moments in between, my four years as a Husky has been quite a journey. It was these experiences that led me to proudly be who I am today. I am beyond grateful to the faculty, my peers, and the University for guiding me to this accolade.
Reflections
The School of Art + Art History + Design has been a part of my Husky story since the very beginning of my college experience. Sitting with athletic advisors, they recommended I ease into my college experience with Art 101, especially if I wanted to go into communications. Art 101 was where I found design and the start of my network that was so talented, hardworking, and supportive. When I finally entered the design program these people continued to appear in my life — all of whom I am inspired by every day!
Words of Wisdom
Design, art, and honestly any creative pursuit can easily lead to burnout and imposter syndrome. We have all been there, and no one should think they are alone in this. Follow your passions and interests and keep a tight-knit group of friends and peers around you. Know that you belong, take breaks when you need them, and just keep pushing — the effort and passion will always pay off in the end. The advice I always give younger cohorts is to have a bedtime — it gives you a good stopping point for the day and allows you to be well-rested to design the day after.
Post-Graduation Plans
My curriculum and network in the design program helped me land a design internship at Lippincott's New York office for the upcoming summer and fall. Lippincott is a global creative consultancy — one I looked up to since starting the design program — where I will continue to push my design knowledge alongside my International Studies degree — a perfect mix of my two worlds!
Finally, I want to thank everyone in the School of Art + Art History + Design. The Art Building is like my second home and its faculty and students are like my second family — being a part of the Husky 100 is not only a personal success, but a success of all those around me.