Meet Our Launching Studios
DFA is launching at Tufts University, Colgate University, and Anderson College!
We asked Studio Leads:
What are you most excited about for DFA?
Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?
What are you currently reading, listening to, or watching?
What are you most excited about for DFA?
I'm really excited for our first academic year as a DFA studio at Colgate! I can't wait to meet new people as we recruit members and I'm looking forward to finding a project to work on. – Ryan D'Errico, Geology Major 2025
Who/what is inspiring you at the moment?
I'm inspired by the one and only David Bowie. I think the true mark of genius, if there is such a thing, is the ability to constantly reinvent one's self and one's work for the sake of something greater than success (art, in Bowie's example), and yet to still find success nonetheless. – Everett Shinn, English/Creative Writing Major 2027
What are you currently reading/listening/watching?
Alien: Romulus – Phoebe Li, Econ Major 2027
What are you most excited about for DFA?
We would like to expand opportunities for students of all identities, especially those who have been historically excluded from STEM fields, to collaborate and materialize the changes they wish to see through design.
We want to use this opportunity to empower more female, non-binary, and POC designers to make social change. With our DFA Tufts chapter, we aim to build a supportive community and an inclusive environment that promotes creativity and dynamic problem-solving while amplifying diverse voices. – Hazel Scullin and Karina Malm, Engineering Psychology Major 2025
What are you most excited about for DFA?
I am excited to be part of the creation of a DFA studio on Anderson University’s campus. I look forward to see how our DFA studio can make an impact in the Anderson community. Not only with Anderson students but also other community members that make up this beautiful city. I am excited to see how we can create a community where people can feel seen and welcomed. Where everyone is encouraged to explore ideas and not be afraid to ask questions. – Jessica Wiggley, Graphic Design Major 2025
Who/what is inspiring you at the moment?
One of the professors at my school, Professor Benson. He teaches ceramics and sculpture at Anderson University. I had this moment where I connected with one of his sculptures (as a daughter of immigrants) and it really made me feel seen and heard. It’s a topic that can be hard to talk about, but he reaches into this place of discomfort, and I highly admire him for it. Sometimes we have to leap into discomfort to be able to mend the brokenness of this world. – Miriam Cabrera, Graphic Design Major 2025
What are you currently reading/listening/watching?
I am currently reading Racing to Justice by John A. Powell, and it is thought-provoking, philosophical, and real. It speaks on how our understanding of race is skewed, but how we can create opportunities to change that. For fun, I’ve been listening/watching Dungeons and Dragons campaigns by Dimension 20 (Brennan Mulligan is probably the most talented dungeon master I know). They are hilarious, adventure-packed, and helps keep my brain stimulated when I’m getting work done. – Tabby Lo, Graphic Design Major 2025
