Meet Riya Patel in Sugar Land, TX

Today we’d like to introduce you to Riya Patel.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Design is a career path that I’ve always envisioned myself being in due to my passion for art, fashion, and graphics.

Throughout middle school, I took art classes, which sparked my initial interest in art and design. In high school, I began taking digital media, interactive design, and coding classes while still continuing art classes to establish my foundation in it. I came to the realization that I wanted to pursue a career in something involving art but also incorporating technology since technology has become so ingrained in our lifestyles today. I am currently enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin because this city is the epicenter of startup culture, and I hope to work for a startup and eventually begin my own small business in the future. Startup culture embodies the sense of adventure and independence that I value and hope to be a part of through my love or design, an aspect that is vital to the success of any business. Design is the perfect middle ground between my love for art and the world of technology, and I am captivated by the possibilities that exist for me.

Has it been a smooth road?
Growing up in an Indian family and in a suburban town that had a predominantly Indian community, I always felt different from those around me. All of my peers were going into career paths such as medicine, engineering, or business while I wanted to go into the world of art and design. However, the adversity I faced in this community for choosing to go into what was considered to be an abnormal career path helped me come to terms with my identity and allowed me to appreciate my uniqueness. I began to value how differently I saw the world around me, and I started to love who I was as a designer by incorporating it into different parts of my life. I was well-known in my community for my expertise in design, whether it was regarding fashion and aesthetics or creating graphics to help establish a brand. My love for design differentiated me from those around me, which in turn helped me become more confident in who I am.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I hope to impact the world as a designer by changing the perception that others have of design. Design is incorporated in all parts of everyone’s lives, whether they know it or not. It impacts the cars we drive, the houses we live in, the clothes we wear, the products we see and use, and even how the cities we live in look like. Despite the ubiquitous presence of design, it oftentimes under-appreciated over overlooked. This trivializing perception of design is something I have experienced first-hand and something I hope to change. I want to show people that design is not only about creating an image or product, but it involves thinking deeper into others’ minds and understanding their wants and needs. It is not just about the visuals or graphics, but it is about understanding the emotions and feelings that others connect with those visuals and graphics.

Design truly is all over the place. It has given my life purpose and direction. I hope that I can use my skills in design to impact the world in a meaningful way and show people how important design is in our day to day lives.

Contact Info:

• Email: rvp388@utexas.edu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyapatel_/

Image Credit:
Irfan Booya
Jenni Choa

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