Design Dialogues: Quotable Insights from the Creative Industry

Conversations That Shape Creative Practice

SoFA Design Institute's Design Dialogues brought together creative practitioners and design educators for an exchange of perspectives on creativity, professional practice, leadership, and the realities of building a career in design.

The conversations offered students insights that extended beyond the classroom, emphasizing that becoming a designer requires more than technical ability. It calls for curiosity, conviction, continuous learning, and the willingness to create opportunities along the way.

Here are some of the key insights shared during the dialogue.

Marj Ramos-Clemente

Passion, Risk, and the Development of Taste

Marj Ramos-Clemente reflected on the realities of pursuing a creative career, emphasizing the role of passion in navigating uncertainty and taking risks.

“There is always risk involved, but passion remains the driving force.”

She also highlighted the importance of developing one's sense of taste, particularly when working within a brand or creative context.

“Beyond skill, your level of taste must align with the brand. Taste is not something you simply learn—it is something you continuously expand through exposure, curiosity, and understanding the world around you.”

Her perspective reinforces the importance of remaining observant and engaged with the world. For emerging designers, developing taste is an ongoing process shaped by exposure to culture, art, design, people, and different creative perspectives.

Lev Rodriguez

Creating Opportunities and Following What Excites You

Lev Rodriguez spoke about the importance of visibility, initiative, and creating opportunities for oneself, particularly in an increasingly connected creative industry.

“Before the internet, the challenge was to be seen and heard. Create your own opportunities—show up, introduce yourself, and have the courage to be seen.”

The conversation also returned to the importance of pursuing genuine interests as a source of motivation.

“Whatever excites you, pursue it. That excitement will become your motivation.”

For students beginning their creative careers, the message was clear: opportunities are not always given. Sometimes, they begin with the willingness to introduce yourself, put your work forward, and pursue the things that genuinely interest you.

IDr. Iris Ocampo

Building from the Ground Up

IDr. Iris Ocampo focused on the foundations of building a meaningful design practice, beginning with an understanding of one's strengths and the people needed to bring a vision to life.

“Building from the ground up starts with knowing your strengths. Innovation begins with finding the right people and building the right team.”

She also emphasized the value of understanding the fundamentals of the profession.

“Start with the basics—that is where structure comes from. Understand every segment and department, and combine academic learning with experience to become a visionary designer.”

Her insights highlight that creative leadership is built through both knowledge and experience. Understanding the fundamentals, working collaboratively, and recognizing the strengths of others can provide the structure needed to develop a sustainable and forward-thinking design practice.

Beyond the Dialogue

Together, these perspectives offered a broader view of what it means to build a career in design. From cultivating taste and pursuing curiosity to creating opportunities and developing strong foundations, the conversations emphasized that design education extends beyond technical skills.

Design Dialogues serves as a space where students can encounter different professional perspectives, question established ideas, and begin shaping their own understanding of what it means to practice design.

The insights shared by Marj Ramos-Clemente, Lev Rodriguez, and IDr. Iris Ocampo remind us that a creative career is built not only through what we know, but through what we pursue, who we learn from, and how willing we are to keep growing.

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