Creativity Pushed Forward: Alumna Anna Wulfson
Raised in Vermont, alumna Anna Wulfson graduated summa cum laude in May 2020 with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Creative Writing. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Visual Design at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan.
Anna Wulfson
What brought you to JCU?
Although my hometown was relatively remote, I was always determined to explore more of the world at large. Immediately after graduating high school, I embarked on a Rotary Youth Exchange year and was matched with a family in Sardinia, Italy. That year, I fell in love with the Italian culture, lifestyle, and people. To this day, my host family members have continued to be some of my closest relationships. In the year after my exchange while I was studying at Boston University, I decided to return to Italy and transfer to John Cabot University.
How did you become passionate about Graphic Design?
I have always been passionate about art and design, and this was one of the factors that prompted my move back to Italy. As soon as I took my first Graphic Design class with Professor Sabrina Schmidt, I discovered a more concrete passion for the subject. Over the years, Professor Schmidt has inspired me to pursue a career in graphic design and has provided me with the tools, professional insight, and confidence in my skills to do so. The three courses I took with her laid an incredible foundation for pursuing a career in graphic design, as the numerous projects always inspired me to push my ideas and creativity a bit further.
Which other courses and/or professors impacted you the most during your time at JCU?
So many of my professors at JCU had a significant impact on me during my studies. I learned the ins and outs of communications from my wonderful Communications professors. The Fiction Writing course with Professor Elizabeth Geoghegan was also very influential, as it taught me the art of storytelling and how to translate complex and creative ideas into coherent bodies of work. I am grateful for all of my professors and their dedication to helping me learn as much as possible at JCU while also preparing me for my next step.
Congratulations on being accepted to the Scuola Politecnica di Design for a Master’s degree in Visual Design. What attracted you to this program?
SPD was the first postgraduate design school in Italy, and with this comes a rich history and vast network of resources. One of the main aspects of the program that attracted me to SPD was the interconnectedness of the graphic/visual design program with the entire visual communication process. This combination seems to create a very hands-on, experiential learning environment. Another attractive element of this program is the three-month internship program where students gain professional experience at companies in the field. SPD offers an ideal combination of international experience and extensive network throughout the design world. I’m very much looking forward to commencing my Master’s and joining this creative community.
What’s one tip that you would give to aspiring graphic designers?
One tip I would give to aspiring graphic designers is to expose themselves to the field and participate in as many hands-on projects as possible through internships, freelance work, and volunteer projects. Also, to all the potential designers and creatives – believe that you can succeed in a creative career!
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to learn as much as possible at Scuola Politecnica di Design and build meaningful relationships while doing so. I look forward to joining such an accomplished group of professors and peers, and I am sure that we will collaborate and motivate each other in our endeavors going forward. It’s difficult to plan for the future with the world in the throws of COVID-19, but I hope to stay in Italy after graduating from my Master’s program and find work in my field.
Anything else you would like to add?
I want to end with sharing how valuable my time at JCU was. I knew I always wanted to work in a creative field, but first I decided to pursue a degree in Communications because it is an important base for many career paths. During my years at JCU, the various courses ranging from studio art to creative writing provided me with a creative outlet that helped me realize how important it was for me to pursue what I was genuinely passionate about.
