Megan Calvin, a double major in digital design and business at Tulane SoPA, has accepted a post-graduation position with the IBM Garage and its incubator-style approach to technology solutions for the business giant’s clients.
“As a UX designer for IBM Garage, I will be working directly with developers and architects, leading design thinking workshops with clients, creating ‘wireframes’ and prototypes, user testing, and iterating on these designs to deliver products that meet our clients’ needs,” Calvin said. “I am part designer, part consultant.”
Calvin used the credit-for-life-experiences flexibility of SoPA’s digital design curriculum to her full advantage. “I really appreciated the ability to learn both in and out of the classroom by getting credit for internships I've completed. I am someone who learns best by doing, and the real-world experience of working in a variety of settings with industry professionals is irreplaceable. I've been able to get credit for internships in digital marketing, web design, and a summer at IBM as a software designer, and each experience has helped me hone in what I want to do after graduation,” she said.
Critique and review, a central part of digital design coursework, also helped Calvin develop her abilities. “Another thing that was really valuable was being challenged to explain my process and design choices as I work on projects. At IBM and in the workplace in general, I will be working with a team of people on different parts of a larger project. It’s extremely useful to be able to articulate my process and the state of a project when you gain a teammate,” Calvin said. “I really enjoyed the projects that were a little strange and outside the scope of my normal work, like when I had to design a custom typeface or develop a set of wayfinding icons. Working on a variety of projects helped me flex my creative muscles and also encouraged me to research other areas of design.”
Rebecca Carr, a former instructor of Calvin’s, acknowledges her strengths in design. “The Digital Design program teaches students how to use design to solve problems. Megan is an example of a student who truly understands this. She has been a great model for other students by always coming to class with strong, well-thought-out, and well-executed designs,” said Carr, professor of practice in digital design.
Tulane School of Professional Advancement offers career-focused digital design courses with an emphasis on portfolio development. Students can receive a B.A. in Digital Design or sharpen their creative skills with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Digital Design. Explore our concentrations in Graphic Design, Game Art & Animation, and Interactive Design.
