How has your HES journey changed or shaped you?
Almost exactly four years ago I was sitting on a piece of cardboard on the frigid winter streets of Palermo, Sicily, struggling to rub some warmth back into my hands so that I could pick up a can of spray paint and build the next piece of art for the group of onlookers and tourists that crowded around me.
I thought it was what I wanted at the time — the romantic life of a street artist just getting by day to day, living off the frugal profits from messy compositions of paint and the generosity of passersby.
My HES journey did so much more than just change or shape me personally and professionally; it gave me a whole new reason for existence entirely.
However, the toxic fumes from the constant spraying left me with an intensifying discomfort in my lungs and a violent cough that at times had me on my knees, struggling for breath. It was leading me to an inevitable — and potentially cancerous — ending. This was not a sustainable lifestyle at all.
It was time to go back to school.
Harvard Extension School saved my life, not just academically, but in a manner much more profound and transcendental. Through its discipline and training, I discovered a secondary route in life — one that did not lead me astray from my artistic path, but instead complemented and magnified my endless hunger for creative expression.
I enrolled in the Digital Media Design graduate degree program at HES, and my eyes were opened to an entirely new cutting edge art form, infused with the incredible powers of advanced technology.
Visual Communications showed me the endless possibilities of design/image reconstruction, while the Art of Video Editing introduced me to the world of animation where anything and everything can be brought to life.
There are so many interpretations of the meaning of “success.” I genuinely believe that the answer is not so much related to income, status, or prestige.
For me, “success” simply means waking up every day and being excited, even genuinely ecstatic to go to work.
I did not expect to build such a big network here, but ended up being pulled into so many diverse communities.
With the training and expertise I gained at HES, I was recruited by Dassault Systèmes, the second biggest software company in Europe and a trailblazing leader in the our current age of digital transformation. As the strategic content specialist on our North America PR team, I am given the privilege to explore new creative avenues to assist our company in brand awareness and recognition.
My HES journey did so much more than just change or shape me personally and professionally; it gave me a whole new reason for existence entirely.
It has never been so clear what I want to do in life and the future has never seemed so bright.
What was your capstone project?
For my capstone project, I am building an animation that brings to life 300+ static images illustrating a dynamic story about artistic imagination.
I aim to inspire viewers to look at reality from an alternative lens which will reveal the infinite possibilities of creativity.
What’s something unexpected that you learned about Harvard?
I did not expect to build such a big network here, but ended up being pulled into so many diverse communities.
One of these communities is the Harvard Staff Art Show, where I am now the designated animator for all the shows.
As I live locally in Cambridge, I also plan to be actively involved with other Harvard events.
Describe your HES experience in one word.
How about an emoji instead? 😄
