PEOPLE

Natacha Poggio, Visual Communication Design Faculty
Assistant Professor Natacha Poggio arrived at the Hartford Art School after working as a design consultant for Stanford University in California, and completing her graduate studies in Experience Design at the University of Texas at Austin. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Natacha is a world traveler, and as part of her experiences, she developed a strong passion for improving living conditions of less fortunate people. Since 2008, she spearheads the creative think tank Design Global Change (DGC), creating service-learning projects for students to get involved with local and international communities. Natacha’s research focuses on socially responsible design; she is interested in strategic design projects dealing with social change, to promote sustainable development and change the world for the better. The projects she undertakes educate design students on the impact and importance of their work –bridging worlds, whether locally or internationally– so that the interfaces, products and environments they create meet the needs of the greatest number of users. Natacha is dedicated to realizing design's potential to help improve the human condition and the global environment. She regularly speaks at conferences about the important role designers can play in enhancing social conditions around the world, as opposed to applying their skills to help companies manufacture false needs.
Laurie Kovac, VCD 2011 
I am majoring in Visual Communication Design, with a minor in Photography. Since the first day I found out about Design Global Change, I knew I wanted to take part in it. I had always been interested in art, as well as working toward the greater good, and knew that this program would be a perfect mix of these passions. Only a few weeks into the course, it had already surpassed my expectations and has been a very positive and uplifting experience. I hope to not only help promote positive change, but also learn how to effectively communicate to different cultures and ages and establish a greater sense of a global community.
Crystal Cote, VCD 2011
Visual Communication Design is my major and my minor is Photography. I grew up in a small town called New Milford, Connecticut. I have always wanted to use my design skills towards the greater good, and the course Design Global Change was a perfect place to do it. I am really excited to immerse myself in multiple projects and gain a meaningful experience through collaboration with my peers and clients. I look forward to creating a positive change and impact on other people and discovering more about the world we live in. I am thankful for being able to become a part of this unique and wonderful team.
Jonathan Eckels, VCD 2011
I joined the DGC team because I believe that design utilized to serve others is the most important work one can do in the design industry. Throughout the course of my final year of college, I am hoping to learn more about the process of working with non-profit foundations versus corporation/private clients, as well as to gain more insight into the grant-writing process that is often necessary for securing funding for non-profit design endeavors.
Cael Spillane, VCD 2011 
It has always been a strong belief of mine that as professionals, and as human beings, we should be giving back to our community. I believe that it is in everyone's power to change the world, or change a life. This is why, when I first heard of Design Global Change, I knew it would be a great fit for me. The idea of utilizing my passion for design with my passion for community and giving back was very exciting to me. Additionally, I was interested in working with my fellow classmates, faculty, alumni, and clients. I believe DGC is more than a class, it's an experience, and a community in itself - and I look forward to being a part of that community for long after I graduate.
Josh Parent, VCD 2011
Design as a medium reaches people in the most direct and influential ways. As a designer myself, I would like to capitalize on the potential for print and other methods of implementation for Design Global Change. Being part of DGC offers me a great experience in learning to work in groups to accomplish a task, and teaching real world implementations of designs. This is crucial knowledge in the the design workplace and I hope to be able to gather much from this course that will help my future endeavors.

Marene Ferguson, VCD 2011 
I’m from Cape Town, South Africa. I see Design Global Change as an opportunity to make a visible and active change in communities with the hopes to help the less fortunate and inspire friends and family around me to do the same. I am thrilled to be part of this ground moving chapter and invest the time and effort to make it yet another good and prosperous year for DGC.
Sergio Barrera, VCD 2011
I was born in Bogota, Colombia. I am most honored to participate in DGC, for the opportunity it gives me to help others and to learn from those around me. Given my different life experiences such as living in a country that is known for its violence and through encounters with people of different cultures, my perspective of the world has been molded into one that motivates me to want to make an impact. For me this isn't just an opportunity to take a course, but on a personal level it is an opportunity to make a difference on the world through design.

Amy Huston, VCD 2011
 As a student in visual communication design, I have worked on many interesting projects but non that directly involved or benefited real communities. I joined the Design Global Change class so that I could work with different people and learn about issues that I may have never known about otherwise. The projects that DGC tackles are very diverse and they have allowed me to see the variety of causes that are out there. It has been eye opening to discover how much you can help simply through design. For many of the people and groups we work with, design is one the first ways in which they can get their message and their cause out into the world.
Nikki Lee, VCD 2012 
I'm from a tiny little town in Connecticut named Beacon Falls. I signed up for Design Global Change for a number of reasons. I thought it would be a challenge, and a new experience. We don't do a whole lot of collaboration or working in teams in our normal studio classes, and I thought it would be great to have the chance to come together and work on projects with other students. Also, I loved the idea of making a difference. Art and design are usually thought of as superficial: just making something that looks nice. But I feel as if there is new meaning and respect given to design when it's done with a strong purpose. It's amazing to think that design can help to achieve goals that can better the world.
Ethan Bodnar, VCD 2012  
My belief in the power of design as a methodology and mindset is the guiding principle for the work that I do. Design and creativity can have a positive impact and can make change happen. Every day I am inspired by like minded people from around the world that have come together to develop solutions that help all different communities and types of people. Collaboration is the key to generating successful solutions. I think that all of us that are part of Design Global Change believe that ability equals responsibility and we are excited to help build the future. As a creative thinker I am also involved in many other collaborative projects with AIGA Connecticut, Design is Love, TEDxBloomington, Be Playful, and others.
Mullica Zudsiri, VCD 2012
 I have always been highly involved with helping others and contributing to my community and so I find that Design Global Change is a natural fit which combines my philanthropic interest as well as my creativity. My parents were born in Thailand so not only I can contribute my own personal cultural experiences to the design class, but I also have my skills as a young designer and illustrator. I am positive that DGC can only continue to help me develop my skills and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to participate in such an exciting initiative.
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