Stella Richman graduated from UT Austin’s M.F.A. in Design program with more than a degree; she left with a portfolio built by hand, a design voice she could confidently claim as her own, and a community that still influences her creative practice. Now a brand designer at Brooklyn-based studio Super Okay, Richman traces her path forward to long nights in the Design Lab printing on a risograph, learning to think like an educator, and pushing weird ideas alongside the cohort that became her creative compass.
In what ways did the M.F.A. in Design program prepare you for the path you’re on today?
The biggest takeaway from the M.F.A. in Design program that led me to where I am now was the opportunity to build a design portfolio that felt true to my own style and that I was proud to show design studios I wanted to work at. I was able to build my portfolio through the resources at the Design Lab– woodpress, risograph, and screenprinter. Use them!
Can you describe a project or experience from your time in the program that played a key role in shaping your direction as a designer?
Some of my highlights during the program were Julie Schell’s pedagogy class, Tasheka’s 100 items project, painting a mural for my exhibition, screenprinting Christmas presents for my family, and spending time with my cohort outside of school, like at De Nada or Radio Coffee.
How has your career or creative practice evolved since graduating, and what impact do you hope your work is making right now?
Working at a design studio, I’ve learned what preparing a presentation and presenting to a client looks like. Talking about my work in an eloquent and considered way is a skill I hope to get better and better at as time goes on. I watch my peers at work and take notes from them.
What are you currently working on—professionally, creatively, or both—and what excites you most about your work today?
I work at a design studio in Brooklyn called Super Okay. We do brand design for a wide array of different clients, from an outdoor magazine to a non-alcoholic beverage. Right now, I’m working on an outdoor shoe rebrand. I feel lucky to work at a place where I can be fully creative and not fear that the weird ideas I try will be shot down. I’ve been able to see things I’ve worked on out in the world, and it’s really exciting. Especially things you can hold in your hands.
What advice would you share with prospective students who are considering the M.F.A. in Design and wondering how it might expand their practice or career path?
First, think about what you want to get out of the program. It will be different for everyone. My goal was to, again, build a portfolio I felt proud of and explore my personal design style.
I knew it was lucky to have two whole years to make work where design-wise I was the main stakeholder. Two years feels long and short at the same time. I tried to use my time wisely. Truly, my biggest piece of advice is to use the resources at UT. It’s a huge school. Talk to a professor whose work you admire. Take a class in a different discipline altogether. I took a bookbinding class just because I wanted to have work where I didn’t have to look at a computer, and I loved it.
To learn more and apply for the M.F.A. in Design program, visit https://designcreativetech.utexas.edu/mfa-design