In college, I chose a cannabis clothing brand as the focus of my senior project—an unconventional choice at a time when cannabis was still illegal. My instructors debated whether I should even be allowed to pursue it, but I stood firm. That project, showcased at the Arizona Art Museum during my school’s portfolio show, was my first moment of truly feeling like a graphic designer.

Little did I know, I was setting the stage for something bigger. Five years later, I turned that early vision into reality with Trap Culture, a cannabis promotional brand that brought immersive festival experiences to medical cannabis patients. With the support of Greenpharms Dispensary, I had the opportunity to craft dreamlike events that blended creativity, advocacy, and culture—long before recreational legalization.

From a bold student project to shaping real-world cannabis experiences, my journey has been about pushing boundaries, storytelling through design, and manifesting ideas into tangible impact.