Tara Piccione

Since I was little, I knew I wanted to do something in the creative field. Growing up, I was surrounded by art and was heavily influenced by members of my family that share the same passion. However, when I got to the University of New Hampshire, I struggled with deciding how to pursue my
passion for art.

As a freshman, I knew I loved to paint and draw but concluded that these areas of art did not reflect my best work. I would often become frustrated with having an idea and not being able to express it in the way I imagined. However, this frustration changed after taking my first graphic design class, Principle of Designs, with Professor Zahabi, where I was introduced to a new world of art, graphic design.

This world allowed me to successfully create what I imagined with the help of Adobe Software- Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and more. I could focus on what I felt the most passionate about – the creative process – and no longer need to worry about making a mistake that would affect the end result.

This is what I love about graphic design the most; nothing is permanent. When I am designing, I can make mistakes. I can explore all my ideas and challenge myself until I am happy with my final design. It is reassuring to know I am constantly learning and growing as I create.

Over the past four years, I’ve learned that the creative process is one of the essential parts of being a graphic designer. Pulling all the tiny details together by breaking down each step helps me capture what longs to be created. I’ve been lucky enough to use these skills in the real world to create designs that satisfy clients’ needs, and in past projects I’ve done throughout my years at UNH.

I am excited about my future in graphic design and am incredibly thankful for my time in the Art Department at UNH!