Alumni Profile: Stephen

Packaging / product designer for Nestle Purina

BFA in industrial design, class of, 2004

When you first came to UIUC did you know for sure what you wanted to do as a major/career?

Yes.

How many majors/careers did you "go through" during your years here and how did you finally come to a choice?

Yes, I originally wanted to be a graphic design major, but got accepted to industrial eesign instead. This was the best thing that could have happened to me. I now love my career and could not think of a better industry for me.

What was one UIUC event, memory, person, class, that made a substantial difference in your career choices?

Mark Baskinger (visiting professor from Carnegie Melon) taught me the end all be all of how to be a successful designer. You have to work HARD. So many professors go easy on their students, but Mark cut no slack. He also taught me the essentials of other aspects of design (print, graphic, etc.) to make me a more well-rounded designer—ultimately making me more effective at my job.

What was your first job after you earned your degree?

Packaging / product designer for Nestle Purina in St. Louis, MO.

How did you land your first career related job?

NETWORKING. Throw your name to whoever you can and eventually you will get a bite.

What advice would you give to an FAA student who might be interested in your current or past careers?

Work your hardest and don’t get discouraged if you fail a few times. Something WILL eventually work out.