ThoughtForm is happy to announce that Ashante Dujour is joining us as our newest design intern for the Summer of 2022. We sat down with Ashante to learn more about her university experience, and what to do when you don’t have all the answers.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I spent most of my high school life practicing traditional arts. So I was excited to discover and embrace the digital world as my choice to carry out creative endeavors. I recently received my BFA in Graphic Design from Howard University. Working closely with multidisciplinary artists gave me the chance to brand visual identities for entertainment industries, develop product design, even build out digital assets and stationaries for small businesses. I’ve been able to immerse myself in various fields and I’m excited about how much more there is to learn!
What’s an example of design you admire today?
Graphic designer Cheryl D. Miller taught a design course for a semester at Howard University, and I was completely blown away. She’s a great advocate for gender and race equality within the field of graphic design. While that adds to my excitement, her logomarks put it over the top — including the first BET logo! Seeing her transition from pre- to post-technology-driven design was truly amazing.
What excites you most about working with ThoughtForm?
I’m most excited about ThoughtForm’s approach to problem solving. As someone interested in finding multifaceted solutions, I recognize that roadblocks ahead won’t be too uncommon. So far, I’ve had the pleasure of getting a bit more familiar with the way teams focus on problems together and think critically about them apart. I’m excited to be a part of a process that is both challenging and assuring as I have a strong team of people I can lean on and learn from!
What advice do you have for someone just getting started down a similar career path to your own?
Be thoughtful and intentional when you can, and honest and enthusiastic when you can’t! You won’t know all the answers starting right away. You might not know exactly what field of design you’re interested in or how you can approach a project. Don’t be afraid to admit that and take initiative to learn about the things you or even others don’t know!
Who’s currently on your work playlist?
I usually tap in intensely for work, so I tend to enjoy the silence, but right now I’m enjoying Sudan Archives!