Check Out Fabiola De Candido’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola De Candido.

Hi Fabiola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Fabiola but everyone calls me Fabi. I was born and raised in Venezuela and now, I’m pursuing my Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design.

My journey into design began quite early, much like many others in this field. As a child dealing with a heart condition, I found my happy place in drawing, building, painting, and creating. These activities weren’t just play for me; they were a refuge from endless hospital visits and doctors’ appointments. Through them, I crafted my own world and magical reality.

Growing up, my appreciation for design deepened. I realized its power to elevate experiences and ideas, sparking real, positive change. This realization was a revelation. I fell in love with the concept of using design to make a meaningful impact.

Now, my mission is clear: to create value through purposeful and impactful design.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating my path hasn’t been easy, especially with a deep-seated drive and ambition to surpass my own expectations. One significant challenge I’ve faced as a woman in the design industry is self-criticism and underestimating the worth of my work. However, in conversing with fellow designers, I’ve come to realize that this self-doubt is quite common. We’re constantly striving to refine our skills, which, in a way, transforms this challenge into a positive force.

As a Spanish-speaking Latina immigrant, I’ve experienced numerous highs and lows, both emotionally and in terms of my status. These experiences have driven me to produce work that envisions a better world for myself and others. I’ve come to view these challenges as sources of inspiration, enriching each of my projects with depth and meaning.

For instance, inspired by the immigration challenges faced by my husband and me, I developed ‘The Global Union’ as a class project at ArtCenter. This concept envisions a “World Citizen Passport,” enabling talented professionals to live and work wherever they choose. Furthermore, my thesis project is a personal homage to my roots. I aim to establish a non-profit design studio dedicated to projects that will positively impact my home country, Venezuela.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My journey in design is still unfolding, with many aspirations and dreams yet to be realized. Nevertheless, I’m deeply appreciative of the experiences and growth opportunities I’ve encountered so far in my career. Before joining ArtCenter, I had the fortune of being part of an amazing team at Levie, a design agency based in Miami. There, I not only honed my design skills but also had the invaluable chance to collaborate with talented peers and clients, each interaction contributing to my professional growth.

Now, with two enriching years at ArtCenter behind me, I find myself increasingly motivated to engage in strategic design work. I’m passionate about crafting designs that can breathe life into values and meaning, thereby creating a tangible impact within communities. Post-graduation, I anticipate engaging in projects that align with my vision of using design as a conduit for hope and progress. My goal is to contribute to initiatives where design isn’t just an aesthetic tool but a catalyst for positive change and development.

How do you think about luck?
I’ve never been one to rely on the notions of good or bad luck. Instead, I find myself drawn to the concept of energy – the belief that the energy we emit into the world circles back to us in time. Prior to embarking on my professional journey at Levie and subsequently at ArtCenter, I dedicated time to introspection and self-development. I committed to visualizing and steadily working towards my professional aspirations.

Interestingly, life unfolded in ways I hadn’t anticipated. After a period of waiting tables, an ideal opportunity emerged, allowing me to start my design career at an agency. This was followed by another wonderful twist of fate – meeting the person who would become my husband. And then, another significant milestone arrived: my enrollment in the Masters in Fine Arts program. These experiences reinforced my belief in the power of positive energy and the importance of being open to the unexpected turns life can take.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fabesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabesign/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiola-de-candido-53005a90/