Questions and ideas. 

During my time living in Israel, I commuted into Palestine every Wednesday to student teach at a high school. This journey looked like a 30-minute public bus ride and a quarter-mile walk up a hill to the school. I can still smell the mixture of coffee and jasmine wafting through the air.

These bus rides were my retreats. 

From ancient complexities to modern-day conflict, I was fascinated by Israel and Palestine. The region contains a breadth of varying climates and people. For Muslims, Jews, and Christians, this land holds countless sacred sites to unpack, and perhaps too many questions than there are answers, especially when it comes to sacred space. There was so much to explore and learn, and the bus rides gave me the opportunity to process all of the information swirling in my mind. Sitting on the bus, I’d also listen to the conversations circling around me even if I couldn’t understand them; I often understand a portion by observing expressions, listening to tone, and noticing someone’s posture. On the way, the bus drove past a number of abandoned homes, barren valleys, and broken-down cars. Dozens of ideas flashed in my mind about what possibly become of those spaces and places. 

My memories of these bus rides are a staple of who I am as a person and as a designer. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and circumstances where there are more questions than answers. But that doesn’t mean answers don’t exist, or that there aren’t visions someone can have for someone or something. I’ve learned that design is not the answer--the solution or the prototype or the mockups. Design is a process; it is the ongoing process of ideating and planning the development of products. I’ve seen this play out in my experience abroad, teaching in the US, and in my liberal arts education.

I am excited to continue asking questions and imagining the potential of digital products in new opportunities ahead!