Student Feature

Julianne Ramsey

Anonymous — Tue, 14 May 2024 18:21:08 +0000

Julianne Ramsey Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/14/2024 - 12:21

Julianne Ramsey majored in architecture with a minor in leadership, and participated in a two-year INVST Community Program at CU.

Where are you from?
Parker, CO

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I loved that ENVD majors seemed to graduate with a well-rounded skillset, from problem solving to graphic design to presentation skills. I saw ENVD as much more than a design degree, and I feel as though I got that.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
During my time at CU, I learned that a little resilience goes a long way. I feel as though college taught me that I can get through any challenge I face with a little bit of grit and perseverance.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Put your all into everything from the beginning of the semester til the end. It will make for a project you are so very proud of.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories at ENVD was becoming great friends with my partner, Olivia Hayes, during our ARCH 3100 studio. We chose each other as partners, not knowing each other, and became so close through the late nights in studio together. Not to mention, we made the project we are the proudest of together!

What does graduating from college represent for you?
This represents the closing of a long chapter in my life where I learned and grew so much.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I hope to find a job in architecture in Denver, Southern California, or Chicago.

Julianne Ramsey majored in architecture with a minor in leadership, and participated in a two-year INVST Community Program at CU.

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Annie Geoghegan

Anonymous — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:46:42 +0000

Annie Geoghegan Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/03/2024 - 10:46

Outstanding graduate Annie Geoghegan will graduate with a B.EnvD in landscape architecture and a minor in Spanish. Some of her favorite memories are from the nights spent in ENVD working on projects, sharing laughs and yawns with classmates that are now dear friends.

Where are you from?
Denver, CO

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Within ENVD, I was a first year mentor for two years, I worked under Shawhin and CEDaR as Research Assistant. I also went to Colombia for Jota's Summer Studio which was big highlight of ENVD. Beyond ENVD, a huge part of my college experience was the club ultimate frisbee team. I captained my Junior season and found my best friends through the team.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I was an inter-university transfer. My freshman year I was undecided and I had a friend in ENVD that I got to see his projects and homework and it made me went to apply for ENVD my sophomore.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
�鶹ӰԺ and the people I met in my time at CU helped me discover who I am as designer but also I learned so much about myself and in the role. Sound cliche but I will never forget my study abroad in Colombia and my ultimate frisbee team.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Be empathetic to others and yourself. It's everyone's first life and we are learning.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories is the nights and times I spent in ENVD working on projects. Sometimes the most energy you can feel in ENVD is in the late hours of the night while the rest of campus was dead. It was always buzzing in the computer lab. Shared a lot of laughs and yawns with classmates that are now my dear friends!

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating makes me feel a lot of gratitude to my family. My older sister went to CU and was a May 2020 graduate. While she got her diploma, I'll always wish she got to walk across the stage so next week I am proud to represent my family and as I walk across the stage and officially graduate.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Beyond graduation, I hope to work as a Landscape Designer in Denver this next year or so. No jobs lined up but excited to enjoy one last summer in �鶹ӰԺ before launching my ~professional~ life.

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Zo Turner

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2024 23:19:21 +0000

Zo Turner Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/01/2024 - 17:19

Zo Turner's advice for other students is to stay curious: the more you ask questions and embrace a sense of childlike wonder, the more rewarding and expansive this program will become. She'll be graduating with a dual-degree in product design and creative technology & design.

Where are you from?
Breckenridge, CO

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Treasure of iDSA, social media coordinator for AIAS my sophomore and junior year, fabrication labs assistant at the CLC and at BTU for ATLAS.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I was initially drawn to ENVD for its architecture program, but I chose to stay for the product design emphasis. The amazing professors and creative projects in this area provided me with opportunities to delve into the more intricate details of design

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Design is fundamentally a mindset—it's about approaching the world with curiosity over fear. My experiences in ENVD and EPOD have underscored the value of maintaining curiosity and always asking "why?" Thanks to a foundation in creative thinking, I am equipped with the necessary skills to tackle not only design challenges but also real-world problems.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Stay curious! The more you ask questions and embrace a sense of childlike wonder, the more rewarding and expansive this program will become. Also, remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. With dedication and consistency, your efforts will yield substantial rewards.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
In EPOD 3100, you'll work with a group for the entire semester to develop a product that is showcased at a holiday market. One of my favorite experiences was collaborating with my group members to brainstorm, create, and finally bring our product to market. There's a strong sense of community in EPOD, and the collective success of our class at the market stands out as one of my most cherished memories

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating college symbolizes all the late nights, hard work and dedication that went into countless creative projects. It marks four years of significant personal and educational growth. Graduating also reaffirms that hard work truly pays off. I am immensely grateful for the ENVD community and the friendships I've formed along the way

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After college, I plan to return to Breckenridge, my charming hometown. This summer, I'll be working to save up to go backpack through Europe. In August, I'll embark on a backpacking trip for a few months. Upon my return, I will begin my career as an associate interior designer at Collective Designs, working for the Pinnacle Companies in Summit County.

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Zoë Camp

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:07:44 +0000

Zoë Camp Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/01/2024 - 14:07

Distinguished graduate Zoë Camp will graduate with a B.EnvD in product design. During her time at CU, she raced downhill for CU’s Cycling Team, participated in ENVD’s six week design-build studio in Medellín, Colombia, worked as a graphic designer at the CU’s Environmental Center and stayed heavily involved in �鶹ӰԺ’s cycling community.

Where are you from?
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Throughout college, I raced downhill for CU’s Cycling Team; a community where I met many of my best friends and got to see new parts of the state when traveling to different races each weekend. Over my sophomore summer I participated in ENVD’s six week design-build studio in Medellín, Colombia. It was an incredible experience getting to work with Colombian students and the local community. I also worked as a graphic designer at the CU’s Environmental Center, a part of a student-led outreach team. Outside of school, I try to stay involved in �鶹ӰԺ’s cycling community. I worked at Community Cycles, �鶹ӰԺ’s non-profit bike shop, and volunteer with adaptive mountain bikers.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
Growing up in a family of athletes and creatives, I was looking for a hands-on learning environment to pursue a creative degree in a place where I could continue racing my bike and immerse myself in mountain sports.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Throughout my four years, I’ve learned not to be afraid to take risks and fail sometimes. I often choose ambitious problems to tackle, and at times feel discouraged because I “fail” so many times before arriving at any kind of solution. But every time something doesn’t go to plan, I often learn a new and valuable lesson. I hope to take this mindset into the next chapter of my life, looking at setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to grow.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Enjoy the process! Don’t forget to celebrate all the little wins along the way, whether it's a new prototype, your classmates' success, or a final project on pin-up day. Also take advantage of all the resources you have. Don’t be afraid to bring a project to another professor, use the shops for personal projects, and ask the CINC staff to show you that machine you’ve been wondering about!

Describe one of your favorite memories.
The most fun project I’ve worked on was a group project with Geroge Davis and Fletcher Spear for the Epod market-led studio. I have so many great memories ideating, sand-casting, and joking around with these two talented designers. Everyone in this studio showed so much camaraderie towards each other's projects, and it made bringing our products to the EPOP Shop a special experience.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college is bittersweet. While I’m excited for a new chapter, I’ll miss my Epod family, the long days and late nights spent at the CINC working on cool projects with classmates who have become my closest friends.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After graduation I'll be looking for a job in the design industry, working on the personal projects I finally have time for, and riding my bike. You can find me at �鶹ӰԺ’s Thursday Cruiser Rides!

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Talissa Brownell

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:46:06 +0000

Talissa Brownell Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:46

Distinguished graduate Talissa Brownell will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a Lighting Design Certificate. For Talissa, every favorite memory from ENVD includes the best friends she's been inseparable from since freshman year.

Where are you from?
Colorado

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Involvement to me does not have to mean being in a million clubs, it can mean surrounding yourself with a community where you feel accepted. Although I did not spend my time in official leadership positions, during my free time I was always at a CU sporting event, play or exhibit where I could cheer on my peers. I am grateful to have found an amazing community here at CU �鶹ӰԺ where I was excited to be involved in my own way.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
When choosing schools, I knew that I was going to pursue architecture. I wanted to go somewhere with a focus on sustainability, but also a program that provided a well-rounded design education. Environmental Design is a one-of-a-kind program, as students have the opportunity to learn design through so many different lenses. With �鶹ӰԺ being beautiful and offering the college experience that I wanted, the ENVD program was a perfect fit for me.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
One of the greatest lessons that I have learned throughout my time at CU �鶹ӰԺ is not to take life too seriously. Life is not only about school and work – it is important to have fun and create a balance for yourself. Of course, as ENVD students, we are passionate about our careers, but it is crucial to always put your happiness first.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice for current and future ENVD students is to study abroad if you are able to. As an architecture student, being able to see some of the buildings that we talk about in class and really experience design outside of the US has been extremely beneficial not only to myself as a designer, but also in my personal growth/perspective. (Also, look into the lighting design certificate!)

Describe one of your favorite memories.
It is so insanely hard to choose a favorite memory but the important part is that every single one includes my best friends Nicole, Franki, and Colton. Since freshmen year, I have been inseparable from these fellow architecture students; studying abroad together, dancing together, going to Raising Canes together, watching movies together, etc. I am so beyond grateful that the ENVD program brought these wonderful people into my life.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college means everything to me. As a first-generation student, I knew that college was not the only option. I knew that I would only go to college if I was passionate enough about something to want to do it for the rest of my life – not just to make money or obtain a title. I love design, I love architecture, and it means everything to me that I was able to find my passion here in the ENVD program.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After graduation, I am starting full time at AKLD Lighting Design in Denver. I am extremely excited to start working on projects where I can develop my skills and showcase my ideas. I am also excited to travel as much as possible, as my main goal in life is to see the world.

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Submit a grad feature

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:15:41 +0000

Submit a grad feature Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/18/2024 - 09:15

Share your answers

What is your name and major?

What, if any, minors, dual-degrees and certificates are you graduating with?

Where are you from?

Tell us about your involvement and student leadership roles in and outside of ENVD?

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?

Fill out your grad feature today!

Environmental Design is excited to showcase its graduates! Share your accomplishments and experience.

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Evan Faucher

Anonymous — Tue, 09 May 2023 22:58:24 +0000

Evan Faucher Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/09/2023 - 16:58

Evan Faucher will graduate with a B.EnvD specializing in environmental product design and plans to live in New Zealand for a year.

Where are you from?
Colorado Springs

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
Nothing is better then being about to just make product for classes and for a career.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Never let the fear of not knowing how to do something stop you from doing something, only way to know something is to do something.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Always put in the work, people who put in more time and effort always have better projects.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
For EPOD 3100, we had the opportunity to design for a market and actually sell products in Pearl street. It is great knowing that the products you made are our there in the real world.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
That was fun.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
It represents a time of growth in my life.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Going to New Zealand for a year.

Evan Faucher will graduate with a B.EnvD specializing in environmental product design and plans to live in New Zealand for a year.

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Carr Tancig

Anonymous — Tue, 09 May 2023 22:46:02 +0000

Carr Tancig Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/09/2023 - 16:46

Carr Tancig will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a minor in business and plans to go abroad to Italy this summer before entering the workforce.

Thanks guys. It was a fun 4 years.

Where are you from?
�鶹ӰԺ, CO

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) Board Member 2022-2023

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I always knew I wanted to study architecture, and being from �鶹ӰԺ it made sense to go into Environmental Design because it was so close and such a good program.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Many, many skills. ENVD taught me a lot of valuable organization and communication skills which will help me in every aspect of my future.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Just keep looking forward and try not to be a perfectionist. Also, learn what your strengths are and focus in them.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
Freshman year in the basement studios finishing projects with friends the night before a presentation. The communal feeling that came from those times was incredible and the people I met down there will be some of my most valued lifelong friends.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
Thanks guys. It was a fun 4 years.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
A new exciting chapter. The future is exciting but at the same time I will miss being a CU student.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I am going abroad to Italy in the fall to finish my minor, then after that I want to either work in Colorado or move to a new place.

Carr Tancig will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a minor in business and plans to go abroad to Italy this summer before entering the workforce.

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Architecture student creates clothing company to spread positive message

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 18:07:47 +0000

Architecture student creates clothing company to spread positive message Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/28/2022 - 11:07

Environmental Design students may know Travis Weis as a classmate in their studio and lecture courses, others may interact with him regularly in the Digital Media Center, where he takes on the role of lead tech assistant. In addition to being both a full-time student and student leader, he manages an apparel business. Weis, a third-year architecture major from Denver, created Release The Mind to help spread positivity through clothing that aims to simultaneously support the community and environment.

Learn more about Weis’s fashion concept and how he hopes to spark inspiration with his audience.

Tell us more about Release The Mind.
"Release The Mind" refers to letting go. Often during periods of stress or hardship in life, my feelings and thoughts made whatever I was dealing with worse. Leading my actions to change from how I would normally face problems. I realized that feelings and thoughts can be manipulated by the world around us, but it also helped me understand they don't have to be.

My mind consciously or unconsciously holds on to expectations I have for myself and the world, but life became a whole lot easier to manage when I began to let go of these expectations. Releasing the mind comes down to individuals learning about how and why they think and using that to become less attached to the things that they see around them. It's learning to not get caught up in the words on a page because it is easy to forget it's only paper.

Not to learn to stop feeling. But to have enough control in mind to be able to take a step back and observe feelings, perceive what it affects. Never trying to outwit or fight what can't be controlled, it's the understanding that everything I perceived has influenced me to become the person I am today. So instead of being haunted by the pain and struggle of this world, it's knowing the hardships I face and overcome that truly define my character.

The understanding that feelings of want and sadness give more significance to feelings like selflessness and love. I couldn't keep looking for happiness in the things I saw around me because I would never truly find it. I needed to find happiness in the one place I didn't look. In myself. That’s what inspires the clothing. The idea of letting go resonated with me so much I wanted to use symbolism and imagery to get people aware of what I think releasing the mind means. The best part, just the words “Release The Mind" can inspire something different for everyone. I hope to spread a message in order to help out anyone who is struggling like me. If I can manage to do that, all of the work I put into this brand becomes worth it.

Truthfully, I don't like industry, especially a super wasteful and unethical one like fashion. My vision is for my friends and me to be some of the pioneers in a new type of thinking. Developing people, community, and environment as the new role for industries. The power of business comes from the people, so why shouldn't businesses give back to people too. That's why all of the shirts we sell are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and use materials that reduce their impact on the environment. Extensive research goes into who makes our clothing and how they are treated because we want to be proud of where it comes from. But that is only the beginning, since I am still in school, I am constantly researching how I can help the community and environment through this concept of Release The Mind. Hopefully, with the help of others, it will grow into something that can create real change, but for now, I'll just keep giving out stickers.

What went into making it a reality?
Making this company took months of hard work and constant failure. Through days, sometimes weeks of creative burnout, countless bus rides to and back from Denver, and even using my skateboard to deliver orders it took months to just create this idea in the first place. Sometimes I had to take three steps back before I could take another step forward. I had to start from scratch so many times that I got used to it. On top of that, the fashion industry is oversaturated with cheap, poorly made and unsustainable shirts. More sustainable shirts made from plastic water bottles, organic cotton, Tencel modal, or recycled polyester are starting to come into the market, but often have shortages and are more expensive. Yet with my background in ENVD, I realized how important it was to use more sustainable options so, in addition to using sustainable shirts, our newest [product] drop was hand pressed in my dad's garage.

How do you balance managing Release The Mind, working in the DMC, and coursework?
Balancing my ENVD coursework, clothing brand and student lead position at the Digital Media Center was a challenge getting used to, but eventually, I realized work doing each of these things often inspires work for another. For example, if I learn a tool on Adobe illustrator while I am making shirts I can use that same tool to help students at the DMC or in my own studio projects.

What’s something unique about Release The Mind you want everyone to know?
Release the mind wasn't started to make money, it was never and will never be the purpose for the work we do. Release The Mind is just my dream to give back, spread a message through fashion, and design to change the world.

Travis Weis, a third-year architecture major from Denver, created Release The Mind to help spread positivity through clothing that aims to simultaneously support the community and environment.

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Faces of ENVD | Bella Manzo

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:11:29 +0000

Faces of ENVD | Bella Manzo Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/12/2021 - 16:11

“Bella is strong beyond words. She always commits herself to strong work, she supports groups that she works in, manages a nearly full-time job all while being sweet and kind to all she comes in contact with. I appreciate Bella so much.”

–Emily Greenwood, Instructor

I love the interdisciplinary aspect and the focus on systems and sustainability. No profession exists in a vacuum, and I loved how ENVD emphasizes working collaboratively with other disciplines from the very beginning.

What is your major and year of study?
I’m a senior in Landscape Architecture, with a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Valparaiso, IN, although I’ve lived in Minnesota, Texas, and Colorado (of course)!

What do you miss the most about being in person on campus and ENVD?
I’ve really missed seeing friends every day. Working with some of my favorite people and then decompressing with a post-studio coffee or tea hangout was my favorite way to spend time on campus.

What has been one of your favorite memories so far this semester?
My favorite memories have been using this time to bond with my roommates. We’re stuck together all the time, so we’ve been doing regular PowerPoint nights where we all create a presentation on a topic of our choice and give it in the living room. It always results in some…interesting conversation and lots of fun!

If you could say or share anything to all of your ENVD peers, classmates and friends, what would you say?
I miss you all!

What’s your go-to, non-Zoom activity when you get to take a break from your screens?
I try to take a midday break during workdays and go for a walk with my dog, Zoey. We go to the dog park and I’ll read a little while she hangs out with her fellow canine friends. I don’t have a ton of free time—usually, I’d go trail running or camping—but I try to grab moments when I can!

Bella is strong beyond words. She always commits herself to strong work, she supports groups that she works in, manages a nearly full-time job all while being sweet and kind to all she comes in contact with. I appreciate Bella so much.

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