Ainsley doesn’t only teach critical skills to first-year students but also inspires them to go above and beyond in their creative work through her position as a TA for the TECH 1 class. During my final, I was encouraged not just to hit the deliverables, but also to use color and outside inspiration to create something beautiful. Ainsley also supports indigenous communities by leading trips to different natural places around Colorado, Wyoming, and beyond with the Alpine club. Hundreds of dollars have already been contributed to different native organizations. Ainsley is a welcoming, inspiring, and inclusive person.
–Fellow Design Buff
I have felt so lucky to be a part of this community and hope to see it continue to evolve. I love seeing my peers tap into their emotions and share designs that come from a vulnerable place and hope to see those values bolstered in the program.
What year are you and what is your major?
I am a senior studying product design
Where are you from?
I am from Saint Louis, Missouri
What inspired you to come to ENVD?
My love for woodworking in high school created my desire for tangible creation, a pull towards the design process.
Describe a typical studio day for you.
A typical studio day for me starts with my sketchbook and whichever pen or marker I’m currently obsessed with. I’m a big list maker and work best when I can write and sketch out my ideas on paper. Community is very important to me so tying in discussion and collaboration with my classmates and instructors is my favorite part about a studio environment.
What has been one of your favorite memories so far, this academic year/or throughout your time at ENVD?
One of my favorite memories from my time in ENVD has been sitting at camp with my classmates from Jade’s design/build studio at the Lama Foundation. We would end a long day of working on the build by making jokes and playing word games that always descended into a profane and dirty mess.
What’s your go-to activity during the fall and winter months?
Engaging with nature through activity is my favorite way to get out of my own head which makes climbing on chilly rock and camping in the fall leaves my real happy place. I love being out of service for the weekend and sending it in my Tiguan.