Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatiana Khoury
Hi Tatiana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I am Tatiana Khoury and I am a graphic designer, with a focus on branding and packaging. Ever since I was in elementary school, I have always had a passion for everything to do with art. Whether it was modeling a dish with air dry clay, or painting a self-portrait, I always enjoyed the process of creating something. But no one ever really told me that I could make a career out of it. My love and appreciation for art started with my elementary school art teacher Mrs. Jay, who allowed us to explore our creativity freely through different materials and methods. On weekends, my grandma and I would paint or make collages together. Oil painting has always been her biggest passion. Through her, I gained an up-close perspective of art. Whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered that I would be a teacher, a writer, or a therapist. But the truth is I could never fully picture myself in those careers. Something always felt off and I wasn’t convinced that I would love those jobs and be happy doing it for the rest of my life.
During my junior year of high school, I took a graphic design elective as a requirement, I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed it. I fell in love with the ability to apply my creativity in an innovative and fun way. Before that, I didn’t know much about graphic design—or that it was a career.
Choosing art as a career to pursue was always in the back of my head, but I never allowed myself to feed into the idea. During my first semester at community college, I took a graphic design course. There, I learned about ArtCenter and realized I could see myself going to art school and pursuing graphic design professionally. And honestly, the more I think about it, the more I truly can’t see myself doing anything else. Deep down I know this is the right career path for me.
After two years of community college, I applied to art schools. After touring ArtCenter and seeing how immersed in creativity it was, I knew it was where I wanted to be. This fall, I will be graduating from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and I am so excited to start this new chapter and see where my creativity takes me!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, I’m not sure if there is such a thing as a smooth road. Through my whole journey, I’ve learned that nothing worthwhile comes easy. And growth can’t occur without challenges. In retrospect, if I had gone to a different elementary school, I would’ve never taken Mrs. Jay’s class and connected with my creativity. If the pandemic didn’t happen when it did, maybe I wouldn’t have had as much time to apply to art schools. If I hadn’t taken the graphic design class at community college, I would’ve never even known about ArtCenter or a career in graphic design. “A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian jungle and subsequently, a storm ravages half of Europe (Neil Gaiman).” It all boils down to the butterfly effect. So, no it wasn’t a smooth road, but all the potholes and flat tires led me to face and overcome adversity. It taught me to follow my passions and to embrace change. The biggest struggle was learning to accept that I can’t control when a butterfly flaps its wings and that’s okay because when it does, it’s meant to soar and embark on its next adventure.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Within the world of graphic design, I specialize in branding and packaging. To me, graphic design is like a collage of multiple media. Through it, I can express my love for art, by combining my paintings, illustrations, photography, and typography all into one composition. Graphic design motivates me because it has the ability to impact people. I love when people can resonate with my work. Even if that means simply trying a new brand of pasta or inspiring someone to pursue their dreams. Graphic design is essential in everyday life. From massive billboards to a clothing label, it’s something we can’t escape or live without. It’s everywhere and I think that’s the beauty of it.
In terms of my design process, I love researching and then synthesizing my research into a strategic design that tells a story. Whether it’s packaging, a logo, or a pamphlet, every medium is just a tangible vessel of a story. My purpose is to connect with people through storytelling and for me, that comes through the details of a design. When looking at designs around me, I am always drawn to those that are thoughtful and leave no detail unaccounted for. When I design, I approach it in the same way, with intention. Carefully crafting every detail in a way that is so seamless that you don’t even realize how it was designed. I think that’s what sets me apart from others, my ability to problem solve in a thoughtful and empathetic approach. Embracing the process and exploring all angles thoroughly to find the right one. Through my design process, I am constantly asking myself why. Why this typeface? Why this tone of voice? Why would this resonate with the target audience? I always push myself to find the most strategic answer because nothing should be without reason. Every design choice should be intentional and connected to the research, target audience, and design goals. If you were able to visually see the thinking behind the design, it would be an organized spider web connecting each design choice to a rationale. I don’t feel satisfied with my designs until every connection on the web has been deliberately intertwined.
I believe that a lot of my strengths stem from working a part-time job while taking full-time college courses. I am proud of my ability to balance work and school without compromising the thoughtfulness and quality of my designs. Through that experience, I have developed invaluable skills in time management as well as communication and people skills. Training new employees at the workplace expanded my skills to being a leader and through it, I discovered that I enjoy learning and teaching others. That experience led me to be selected by multiple professors to be a teaching assistant at ArtCenter.
Applying what I’ve learned in my classes, I like to give back to my community by helping students and inspiring them to strive for their best. I truly believe that the best way to practice or reinforce what you’ve learned is to teach it to others. Being a teaching assistant allows me to be a bridge between a student and a teacher. I enjoy learning from both perspectives and collaborating with faculty to strengthen my teaching skills. I have always appreciated the passion, drive, and support of the teachers I’ve had. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll come back and teach at ArtCenter and continue the cycle.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I may be biased because I did a hypothetical rebrand for them in a recent class but I think everyone should check out the Libby app. It’s a free app that is connected with your local library and allows you to access free digital books, audiobooks, and magazines. I’ve been obsessed with listening to audiobooks while driving. Being a life learner myself, I think it’s an amazing way to feed my imagination and connect back to the library, which was one of my favorite places as a kid. So I highly recommend checking it out because the reading possibilities are endless!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tatianakhoury.com
