LETTER FROM THE LEAD
At SMC IxD, we talk a lot about iteration—not just as something you do when designing, but as a way to move through life. It’s about trying things, getting feedback, making changes, and starting again. Sometimes the path is messy or surprising, but that’s where the growth happens. That mindset—of staying open and evolving—shaped so many parts of this year.
In Fall 2024, students partnered with the Library Foundation of Los Angeles of Los Angeles to explore how its ALOUD program—a platform connecting the public with leading thinkers—could better reflect and promote LFLA’s mission. Many attendees don’t associate ALOUD with the Foundation, and its potential to build awareness remains underused.
Throughout the semester, students conducted research and developed creative, human-centered solutions focused on branding, event experiences, donor engagement, and the archives. Their final presentations showcased thoughtful responses to complex challenges.
In February 2025, our senior class took a field trip to the Bay Area. At Meta Headquarters, we were welcomed by IxD alum and product designer Rhea Brown, who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour and introduced a panel of designers. The panel hosted a Q&A session, offering thoughtful advice about working in tech, building a career in design, and navigating the evolving landscape of technology. We also visited the Computer History Museum, where a docent-led tour grounded us in the past and reminded us how far—and how quickly—technology has come.
This spring, we were thrilled to partner with Designworks, A BMW Group Company, for a senior studio project that asked students to imagine the future of automated vehicle experiences. It’s always amazing to see what unfolds from a single, open-ended prompt—and our students delivered. From early research to final presentations, they explored bold, creative ideas with thoughtfulness and vision. A huge thank you to the Designworks mentors, who were with us every step of the way, offering guidance, feedback, and real-world insight that made this experience so meaningful.
As a program, we’re committed to growing alongside our students. This year, that meant looking inward as well as outward. We hosted our first-ever conference, “Tech as a Force for Good”—a huge thank you to B Local Los Angeles, Boldr, and Premium Blend Consulting for helping make it happen! The event created space for dialogue and inspiration across our broader community.
IxD Faculty also undertook a redesign of the IxD curriculum to better prepare students for the evolving demands of design and technology. Just like in our classrooms, iteration remains at the heart of how we learn, lead, and look ahead.
Looking back on the year, we’re feeling inspired by everything that’s been happening—new partnerships, incredible student work, and a growing sense of community. It’s been a year of real growth and change. We're excited to keep that momentum going as we continue learning, evolving, and designing with purpose.
Nicole Chan
Faculty Lead, SMC
B.S. Interaction Design program
Highlight Reel
As a member of the IxD Student Design Team, senior Antonio Renoj compiled a reel showcasing student work. This video highlights the extensive range and quality of projects created by the classes of 2025 and 2026 during their time in the IxD program.
Year in Review
A snapshot of our shared experiences—creative breakthroughs, meaningful collaborations, and moments that defined our time together.
Fall 2024
IxD Fall Kickoff
New
The Center for Media and Design campus marked the start of the 24-25 academic year with a warm welcome event for incoming juniors and returning seniors. Students had the chance to meet and connect with the IxD team, including Design Technology Chair Sheila Cordova, Senior Career Services Advisor Ann Marie Leahy, and counselor Amanda Garcia, among others.
The event also featured IxD alumni who shared their journeys and provided practical advice about navigating the program and pursuing opportunities afterward.
Marketing Team Launches New LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok Profiles
New
The IxD marketing team proudly launched new social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok to further reach their core target audiences.
Led by Jill DaSilva, the small but mighty team successfully launched several paid ad campaigns, increasing our reach to new targets, resulting in the highest amount of applications for the IxD program.
Alumna Chrissy Stevens Shows at PST ART Exhibition
New
Chrissy Stevens, an Interaction Design alum from Cohort 6 (class of 2023), continues to shine in her role at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her experiential light installation, Geomagnetic Sunsets on K2-18 b, was a highlight of the Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination exhibition, showcasing innovative collaborations between art and science.
Through this work, Chrissy invites audiences to explore light phenomena from distant exoplanets, sparking curiosity and awe. The exhibit, part of the PST ART initiative, celebrated the intersection of creativity and cutting-edge research, emphasizing our interconnectedness with the cosmos.
Annual IxD Advisory Board Fall Meeting Redesigned as Social Meetup
New
The IxD Advisory Board meets at least twice a year to discuss industry standards and trends—and ways they can apply to the IxD program.
Per Board feedback, there was also a need to socialize! This year’s fall meeting did double duty, as board members gathered at Santa Monica Brew Works to talk shop and hang out!
Candlelight Vigil in Honor of Felicia Hudson
New
In October 2024, the Santa Monica College community experienced the loss of our cherished colleague, Felicia Hudson, following the CMD shooting incident. In her honor, the community gathered for a candlelight vigil that provided a space for remembrance and healing. It remains a poignant reminder of our ongoing commitment to a safe and supportive campus environment.
Four IxD Students Receive Stanford d.school’s University Innovations Fellowship
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Four Santa Monica College Interaction Design students, Carey Corrow, Alison Parrales, Anna Gigliotti, and Antonio Renoj, were named University Innovation Fellows by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). They were among 164 students selected from 44 higher education institutions across 13 countries for this prestigious program, which empowers student leaders to drive innovation and foster entrepreneurial thinking, helping to shape the future of higher education.
Juniors Visit BMW Designworks
New
During the Fall of 2024 the junior class had a unique opportunity to visit Designworks, a creative design company for the BMW group for an inspiring exchange of ideas centered on urbanism and mobility. Students received a unique opportunity to engage with industry professionals and discuss the future of how we move through cities. It was a dynamic session filled with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration—an invaluable experience bridging academic learning with real-world innovation.
Annual Mobility Design Challenge for Incoming IxD Students
New
In the fall, Juniors kick off their program experience with the Mobility Challenge, conducting field research across Los Angeles to identify a location where they can design an interactive system that addresses a transportation or mobility challenge. Through in-depth research and user-centered design, students developed and presented innovative solutions tailored to their chosen locations, tackling real-world mobility issues in creative ways.
First-ever Recharge Winternship
New
This winter, Angel Tolentino was selected for the “Wintership” position offered by Recharge to participants in its mentorship program—becoming the first student from the program to receive this opportunity.
As a Winter Intern, Angel contributed to the company’s merchant portal by designing user interface components aligned with an updated design language and system. She also employed tools such as FullStory and various UX research methods to analyze complex user journeys, identify usability issues, and validate user behavior through session recordings, page analytics, and engagement heat maps. In addition, Angel conducted research and developed proposals presented to the product management team for potential implementation.
Senior IxD Students Field Trip to Silicon Valley
New
On February 13, students from Santa Monica College’s Interaction Design bachelor’s program, joined by faculty members Luke Johnson, Nicole Chan, and Maxim Safioulline, traveled to Silicon Valley for an enriching day of exploration and learning at some of the tech industry’s most iconic spaces. The trip began with a brief stop at the Google Visitor Experience in Mountain View, followed by a visit to Meta’s Menlo Park campus, where IxD alum Rhea Brown led a guided tour and hosted a Product Design Q&A session with eight other Meta employees. This experience gave students an inside look at the diverse career paths within the tech industry and invaluable insights into navigating their own professional journeys. The day concluded with a docent-led tour at the Computer History Museum, where students explored the evolution of computing and its lasting impact on society.
Spring 2025
Theresa Wong and Luke Johnson Help Launch SMC’s First Ever Podcast
New
Doing What Works—SMC’s first official podcast series—launched this spring. The podcast features two different seasons aiming to shape tomorrow’s workforce. Season One focuses on the Blue Economy, while Season Two takes a look at Innovations in Homeless Services.
Theresa and Luke helped create the design infrastructure for the podcast. This included developing the branding, social media campaign, and website content in collaboration with Dean Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins and SMC’s Director of Web and Social Media Services Paul Trautwein. The podcast is approaching 1k downloads, has over 100 Instagram followers, and generated created an ad campaign with close to 1 million impressions.
You can learn more about the podcast, and SMC’s certificate programs in Aquaculture as well as its Homeless Services Certificate program, at the podcast website.
MaCher and IxD Sponsor Sustainable Business Practices Talk at the CMD
New
SMC Interaction Design program hosted our long-time partners MaCher for an impact talk: Designing an Impact-Driven Business.
An innovative design studio from Abbot-Kinney, MaCher designs and manufactures sustainable branded products. They are also a Certified B Corp with a top 1% Platinum rating by EcoVadis.
They came for a conversation about running a sustainable business - we discussed several project case studies, including business and sales, design, project management and other aspects. They talked about what it’s like working at a B Corp and how to build careers in purpose-driven businesses.
IxD Students Visit ArtCenter Grad Show
New
In Spring 2025, IxD juniors and seniors were invited to attend ArtCenter College of Design’s Spring 2025 Grad Show in Pasadena, a premier showcase of graduating students’ work across disciplines such as Interaction Design, Product Design, and Media Design Practices. Held from April 23–26, the event featured virtual portfolio presentations via Zoom on April 23–24, followed by an in-person exhibition and industry networking event at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 24.
This opportunity allowed SMC IxD students to engage with cutting-edge design work, observe professional presentation standards, and connect with peers and industry professionals, enriching their academic experience and professional development.
Faculty Host NEW IxD Curriculum Workshop Ahead of Big Fall Changes
New
In Fall 2025 the IxD program will teach an updated curriculum, its first since the program in 2017.
This workshop provided old and new curriculum an overview of the program’s history, pro tips on ways faculty can make an impact, and chance to identify areas of class collaboration moving forward!
Maxim Safioulline Gives Design Conference Talk in Brazil
New
One of the IxD core faculty, Maxim Safioulline, presented his research on the applications of real-time generative AI in interactive experiences at the 2025 Interactive Media Experiences conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference is organized annually by the Association for Computing Machinery to promote research in interactive multimedia. The work is published at the ACM digital library.
Senior Capstone: Virtual Presentation, In-Person Exhibition
New
In June 2025, IxD seniors were featured participants in the CMD Student Showcase, a cross-disciplinary event spotlighting student innovation across the Center for Media and Design. The hybrid event included a virtual showcase on June 3 - with live Q&As and project presentations in UX/UI, gaming, data visualization, and experience design - followed by an in-person celebration on June 12 at the CMD campus. SMC IxD students had the opportunity to present their work to industry guests and the wider community while also engaging with projects from allied fields. The event fostered cross-program collaboration and offered real-world exposure in a professional showcase setting.
Angel Tolentino Becomes 5th IxD Student to Gain Acceptance into the RCA
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One of this year’s graduates has been accepted into the Graduate Diploma in Art and Design at the Royal College of Art, a prestigious pre-Master’s program designed to strengthen creative practice and prepare students for advanced studies in art and design. Like last year’s graduate Anna Larionova, this student has been awarded a full scholarship from Snap Inc., covering tuition and providing a living stipend. Angel is now the fifth member of the IxD program to attend the RCA.
Industry Conx
From mentorships to on-campus events to hands-on projects with real companies—this is where classroom ideas meet the real world.
Class Design for Community Change & Cognitive Psychology
However, many attendees don’t always connect ALOUD with the Library Foundation, and there’s an opportunity to highlight further LFLA’s programs and ways to support the library. This collaboration aimed to strengthen that connection by using ALOUD events to increase awareness of LFLA’s mission while enhancing the event experience for both in-person and virtual audiences.
How might we use the ALOUD program to strengthen its connection to the LFLA’s mission, enhance brand awareness, improve both in-person and virtual event experiences, foster long-term engagement with attendees, and creatively leverage archival content to support future programming and donations?
Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, Recharge collaborates with the IxD program to provide mentorship, career guidance, and professional insights to students. This year, 12 seniors were selected to participate in the Recharge Mentorship Program, where they were paired with C-suite executives and other leaders across various departments, including product management, engineering, marketing, and more. Through these mentorships, students gained exposure to different career paths, received professional development support, and built connections with industry leaders.
Building on the success of the mentorship program, Recharge offered its first-ever Product Designer Internship to students in the program. Senior Angel Tolentino was selected for the six-week winter internship, gaining valuable hands-on experience with Recharge’s Product Design team.In addition to one-on-one mentorship, Recharge expanded its involvement with the program through the Recharge Lecture Series. This initiative brought Recharge employees into the classroom to share insights on career development as a designer, navigating the job market post-graduation, and building a successful career in tech. Through these opportunities, students gained a deeper understanding of industry expectations, hiring processes, and strategies for career growth. This collaboration continues to equip students with the mentorship, industry insights, and career preparation needed to confidently transition from academia to industry.
In collaboration with BMW Designworks as the industry partner for this year’s 8-week design challenge, the senior IxD students explored the future of on-demand autonomous mobility. Together, BMW strategists and mentors worked closely with SMC IxD students and Professor Nicole Rife Chan, challenging them to push past conventional thinking and deliver bold, empathetic concepts. Across multiple team projects, students reimagined how autonomous transportation could serve the diverse needs of groups typically unable to drive, such as elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and those without access to personal vehicles. Each concept aimed to create inclusive, emotionally resonant experiences that rethink passenger interaction. This partnership offered students invaluable access to industry expertise, real-world design challenges, and mentorship from BMW’s global innovation studio.
Hosted at Santa Monica College’s Center for Media and Design, Tech as a Force for Good brought together industry leaders, B Corps, and purpose-driven brands to explore how AI and digital innovation can empower teams, foster inclusion, and drive sustainable growth.In collaboration with B Local LA, Boldr, and Premium Blend Consulting, the event welcomed a diverse audience of executives, students, and emerging leaders to engage in expert panels and thematic workshops addressing ethical leadership, workforce resilience, and the challenge of overcoming sustainability fatigue in the digital age.With robust participation from the SMC IxD faculty and student body, the event embodied the values of ethical innovation and human-centered design. Attendees left with real-world strategies for aligning technology with purpose—balancing automation with empathy, profitability with impact, and innovation with responsibility.
Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, Recharge collaborates with the IxD program to provide mentorship, career guidance, and professional insights to students. This year, 12 seniors were selected to participate in the Recharge Mentorship Program, where they were paired with C-suite executives and other leaders across various departments, including product management, engineering, marketing, and more. Through these mentorships, students gained exposure to different career paths, received professional development support, and built connections with industry leaders.
Building on the success of the mentorship program, Recharge offered its first-ever Product Designer Internship to students in the program. Senior Angel Tolentino was selected for the six-week winter internship, gaining valuable hands-on experience with Recharge’s Product Design team.In addition to one-on-one mentorship, Recharge expanded its involvement with the program through the Recharge Lecture Series. This initiative brought Recharge employees into the classroom to share insights on career development as a designer, navigating the job market post-graduation, and building a successful career in tech. Through these opportunities, students gained a deeper understanding of industry expectations, hiring processes, and strategies for career growth. This collaboration continues to equip students with the mentorship, industry insights, and career preparation needed to confidently transition from academia to industry.
Hosted at Santa Monica College’s Center for Media and Design, Tech as a Force for Good brought together industry leaders, B Corps, and purpose-driven brands to explore how AI and digital innovation can empower teams, foster inclusion, and drive sustainable growth.In collaboration with B Local LA, Boldr, and Premium Blend Consulting, the event welcomed a diverse audience of executives, students, and emerging leaders to engage in expert panels and thematic workshops addressing ethical leadership, workforce resilience, and the challenge of overcoming sustainability fatigue in the digital age.With robust participation from the SMC IxD faculty and student body, the event embodied the values of ethical innovation and human-centered design. Attendees left with real-world strategies for aligning technology with purpose—balancing automation with empathy, profitability with impact, and innovation with responsibility.
IXD NUMBERS
Curious about what drives the program? Here’s a peek under the hood—complete with stats for the data lovers among us.
140
98%
75
339
124
9
18
19
13
13
30
31%
5
66%
13
14
13
4
4
12
60
10k
IXD Culture
A quick peek into the areas of exploration and expertise of our IxD community.
These data points capture the tools, platforms, and spaces students turn to when designing or finding focus.
Some styles inspire. Others divide opinions. Here’s what’s shaping the visual language of our cohorts.
Meet The Students
From thoughtful UX to immersive visuals, these students have shaped all kinds of groundbreaking ideas into reality. As they step into the world, they bring fresh perspectives, dynamic skills, and the power to transform industries.
Snaps of IxD
Hear directly from some of our students about their experiences in the program.
I had the most wonderful time here at the IxD program. It gave me back 2 years to reset, to rediscover who I am as a designer, and to be better prepared for the job market today.
I love that I made friends and grow so much as a Designer and myself. IXD pushes me to be better and gave me all the resources I need to achieve my goals.
This program has played a big role in helping me grow as a designer and figure out my own path and goals. The support and opportunities I’ve had from the faculty have meant a lot, and the connections I’ve made during my time here are truly invaluable.
When I entered the IxD program, I had very little experience with interaction design—and honestly, I didn’t realize how expansive the field really is. One of the things I’ve most appreciated about this program is how it encourages exploration. Rather than locking us into one path, it introduces a wide range of perspectives, tools, and disciplines—from product design to speculative futures. It gave me the space (and support) to figure out what kind of designer I want to be, and the confidence to grow in unexpected directions.
Deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up was a question that challenged me for years, both as a child and again in my junior year of high school. During my journey, I discovered my passion for filmmaking. However, when the pandemic hit, I felt lost and was ready to explore new directions. That’s when I made the bold decision to return to school and better define my career path. With the encouragement of my advisors and professors, I discovered my passion for graphic design, which led to an exciting internship with the Snap Design Academy. It was there that I realized my true interest in UX/UI design, prompting me to apply to the Interaction Design (IxD) program at SMC. Being part of this program—while also being financially manageable—is an incredible opportunity. I have learned to think differently as a designer, delving deep into various research methods to uncover underlying issues that often go unnoticed. I now understand the importance of identifying problems and crafting effective solutions that genuinely help people. Collaborating with my peers has not only sharpened my communication skills but has also taught me new ways to work together effectively, even while collaborating asynchronously. I have also learned to be confident in my designs and the importance of continuously seeking feedback to enhance my experience and further my growth as an inclusive designer. Journeys without a roadmap are much more exciting. I discarded the original map I followed and discovered my passions and the IxD program along this winding path.
The past two years in the IxD program have been some of the greatest school experiences I have ever had. It is not just the wide range of content we learn and the preparation for the real world, but the community that was built here as well. Cohort 8 has some of the kindest, funniest, most enthusiastic people I've ever met and I am so glad I applied to the program when I did. This program has also opened so many doors for me that I would have never known to even step through in the past. My absolute favorite project was getting to work with designers from BMW Designworks directly and getting feedback on the collaborative project we had every week. It was such a cool and surreal experience to be able to say I pitched something I created to the CEO of BMW Designworks live in their studio. Thank you IxD for all you've given and shown me!
I had a blast during my time in the IxD program. It was engaging, inspiring, challenging, and stressful in the most beautiful kind of way. I learned a lot about myself and about the things that I like (such as product design, user research, and prototyping) and don't like (JavaScript coding). I realized that I am able to sympathize with people, and I can use that as a way to conduct research. It also allowed me to hone my presentation and critical design skills by presenting in front of CEOs and company executives.
My experience in the Interaction Design program has been transformative both personally and professionally. I came in expecting to improve my design skills, but I left with something even more valuable: a deeper understanding of collaboration, communication, and resilience. The program challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate, and I’m proud of how I continued to show up, especially during the most difficult moments. I learned to embrace failure as part of the process, to take creative risks, and to advocate for my ideas with confidence and humility. The support of the faculty and the close-knit bond with my cohort shaped my experience in powerful ways. I learned just as much from late-night critiques and casual hallway conversations as I did from lectures and workshops. We encouraged each other to grow, take risks, and design with intention. This program also gave me the freedom to explore new tools and technologies that once felt intimidating. Working with software like Blender, Unity, p5.js, and Figma pushed me to think in new dimensions and find joy in experimentation. Over time, presenting my work became less daunting and more empowering. I now see feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than something to fear. Most importantly, the IxD program helped me understand that great design is rooted in empathy. It’s not just about what you make, but how you make it and who you make it with. I’m leaving this program with a solid foundation, lasting friendships, and the confidence to continue growing as both a designer and a human being.
There are many things that the IxD program has taught me besides just what is laid out in the curriculum. I’m talking about things that can only be learned through experience, such as interpersonal, time management, and character skills. I’ve learned how to focus under the pressure of deadlines, how to communicate in constructive ways (it can be really hard), and how to keep a group project moving along. I’m thankful to the program that I’ve gotten the hang of navigating these challenges. Also, the field trip to Silicon Valley will always be a fond memory! It was such a fun and chill day with all of my peers, and it made me really care about keeping in touch with everyone after we graduate.
I greatly valued the opportunity to work with external clients during my senior year, including BMW and LFLA. Although the LFLA project was challenging, I’m still grateful for the experience because I learned so much! I especially enjoyed classes centered on hands-on project development, such as Nicole’s studio class in my first semester and Maxim’s microinteractions course, which organically evolved into a studio-style design class in my junior year.
Something I’ve recently realized is how much work and dedication I put into this project, and how that effort made me feel even more proud when I saw the final result. The IXD program has truly pushed me to go beyond the limits of what I thought I could or couldn’t do, helping me achieve more than I ever had before. I always looked forward to coming in whenever I had free time, and I have no regrets about being part of the program.
Being able to experiment, making friends, having a really nice time collaborating and ideating with fellow creatives and technologists. Also bantering with Maxim.
I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an interaction designer through this program. As a junior who had never taken a formal design class before, only art classes, I’ve already learned so much. I came from a college that didn’t offer design courses outside of architecture (which I took a few), so when I found this program, it immediately spoke to me. I never imagined I’d find such a supportive and inspiring community. From day one, I was pushed out of my comfort zone, and through those challenges, I discovered a passion for areas of design I never saw coming. I’ve learned not to fall in love with just the final product, but with the design process itself: the research, iteration, and collaboration that bring ideas to life.
A positive experience in the IxD program is the camaraderie between our cohort. It's a great balance of professionalism, play, learning, and self-growth
Being admitted into the Interaction Design (IXD) Program was a turning point in my life. Before IXD, I was a visual artist/graphic designer navigating the creative world through freelance work, gaining experience and internships with the support of SMC’s Career Services. At the time, I had no formal exposure to Interaction Design just a deep desire to inspire others to live more holistic, intentional lives and curiosity. I entered IXD with an open heart, asking the universe to stretch me—to challenge my thinking and help me grow through my love of learning. That request was answered. My beliefs were questioned. My curiosities around technology, art, design, and psychology were sharpened. I'm incredibly grateful to work alongside Cohort 9 & our faculty. I committed myself to not only seeking knowledge but to transforming that knowledge into something meaningful.
I was lucky enough to be able to move closer to campus, and I did it just to be closer to the friends I've met in the IxD program. From my first semester, I'd have expected we'd get together for team meetings, but it was not a given we'd also work out together, go dancing together, and meet each other's pet turtles. I feel so lucky to have been welcomed into this family, getting to explore the future of technology with my friends, and to interface with professors who take us seriously and do not gatekeep whatsoever — they truly believe that if we have the right resources, we can do anything.
The IxD has provided me with a sense of community and resources that have been helpful for doing my class assignments and overall just upgrading my skill set.
This program has felt like a long-awaited fit — not because it’s been easy, but because it meets me exactly where I am. As a returning student, I brought years of industry experience, creative intuition, and a bit of self-doubt about whether I was “starting over.” But the truth is, I wasn’t starting over at all. The projects, like the utility robot that we developed in the first semester, Casey, showed me how much my past experience enriches my design perspective, especially when it comes to empathy, strategy, and real-world execution. Being in this program has felt like permission to fully lean into the kind of designer I want to be: one who builds tools for movement, joy, and accessibility.
I really valued being able to attend different workshops and events, and getting inspired by them.
My experience in the Interaction Design program has been very different from my past college experiences. Here, I’ve felt genuinely supported by both the program and the professors. They have encouraged me to explore my interests, ask questions, and take creative risks. This is something I didn’t experience as much in previous academic settings. One example of this was an assignment where we were asked to schedule a coffee chat with an industry professional. I chose to meet with someone in industrial design, since I’ve been curious about how it differs from interaction design and whether it might be a path I want to pursue. Our conversation was eye-opening. Not only did we talk about the technical and creative differences between the two fields, but he also shared real-world insights about sketching, prototyping, and the role of storytelling in physical product design. That chat helped me see how my interests in visual communication and user experience could translate across disciplines. It also gave me more confidence to reach out to professionals and ask thoughtful questions. This is something I might not have done on my own before entering this program.
Before this program, I worked in a completely different field that was science-heavy. As a result, I came in not having a lot of experience in design and felt intimidated I was not as "creative" as my peers. After this program, I have come across multiple resources through my classmates, teachers, and other outside resources provided by IxD. Opportunities, such as Virtual Coffee Chat and Tech Events, have also helped me connect with alumni and other networks. Overall, this program tremendously helped me transition into this new field and gave me more confidence about being a designer.
Student Internships & Work
Experience is the best way to get your foot in the door. Learn how students used their time in school to get some real life projects working with great partners
Alumni Today
Success is built upon one another. Take a gander at what our alums have been up to after the program.
IxD Team
So what is our secret recipe? Beyond the 13 spices and our secret ingredient (it’s love), it’s really just a bunch of people that really care. Click on them to learn more about them.
As the Dean of Academic Affairs at Santa Monica College, Dr. Patricia Ramos assists the college by developing partnerships with business, industry, labor, NGO, and other educational institutions, in an effort to align SMC’s career technical education programs to the current and projected workforce needs of the Los Angeles region and the State of California. Her civic engagement spans over two decades. Dr. Ramos has served as an appointed official as a member of the Woman’s Commission and the L.A. County Workforce Development Board. She serves on educational and workforce committees at local, state, and national levels. Dr. Ramos holds a doctorate from the University of Southern California.
Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins: An Emmy award-winning journalist, with decades of experience hosting news, entertainment and educational content across a multitude of media and digital platforms. Blaize-Hopkins is also the interim associate dean of the Center for Media and Design at Santa Monica College and the president of the national Society of Professional Journalists.
Nicole Rife Chan is invested in accessible design education as a medium for positive community impact. She serves as Faculty Lead of the Interaction Design B.S. and Graphic Design Program at Santa Monica College. Nicole held non-profit and corporate design roles involving media, print, and digital before earning her MFA in Media Design Practices at ArtCenter College of Design.
Maxim is a creative technologist and a design educator with experience in multimedia-rich Web applications, interactive installations, and generative computer graphics. He comes with a background in linguistics and audio-video design. His current work centers on new forms of media and emerging interfaces for human-computer interaction. Maxim holds an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design in New York.
Luke Johnson is an employee engagement strategist and design educator whose portfolio includes work for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Nokia, and Riot Games. He collaborates with HR, internal comms, and executives to develop customized products to solve unique, internal problems. Luke holds an MFA in Media Design Practices from ArtCenter College of Design. He currently works as a professor in Graphic Design and Interaction Design at Santa Monica College.
Nicola Vruwink, MFA, is an artist, educator, and designer who is committed to mentoring future creatives. With an extensive background in private postsecondary education, Nicola is committed to making high-quality education more accessible and equitable. She has found her home in the California community college system. Her passion for design and design education fuels her teaching practice; currently, Nicola is full-time faculty in the Graphic Design program at Santa Monica College and maintains her own design studio Poni.
Sheila Cordova, AIA, is dedicated to sustainable urban development and innovative architectural solutions that foster community growth. Sheila’s career spans both public and private sectors, where she has led projects focusing on green building practices and resilient design. Obtaining her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and her Master in Sustainable Cities and Green Building Technology from Harvard, Sheila worked extensively on urban revitalization projects in underserved areas, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and environmentally conscious design.
As a former community college transfer student and first-generation college graduate, Amanda Garcia is dedicated to advocating for a more equitable and inclusive learning environment that serves all students. Her primary goal as the CMD Counselor is to empower students by highlighting existing strengths, so they can feel confident entering the industry as their authentic selves. Amanda is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Jeff Gordon comes to IxD with twenty-plus years of experience at Santa Monica College. He was a highly involved student leader at SMC before transferring to Cal State Northridge for his bachelor's degree in radio and television production. He later continued his studies at Loyola Marymount University for his master's degree in counseling. While at SMC he has served in a myriad of areas including classified staff in student services and as counseling faculty in Associated Students, Scholars, General Counseling and Transfer Services, Welcome Center, and Outreach and Recruitment. In his role as IxD project manager Jeff Gordon is focused on increasing the pool of talented applicants with students that come from a multitude of diverse backgrounds. At the center of his approach in working with IxD is a warm and welcoming environment that is inclusive and equitable for our students, faculty, and staff.
Ann Marie came to SMC’s Career Services Center with a background in marketing project management. With several years’ experience hiring artists and designers to execute corporate visions, Ann Marie brings and shares her knowledge on how to stand out and get hired to the IxD Program Students.
Dr. Lea Hald is a professor in the Psychology Department at SMC. She has a doctorate in Psychology with a focus in Cognitive Science, a master’s degree, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her undergraduate teaching experience includes courses in research methods, statistics, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, and introduction to psychology. Her recent research focuses on applying embodied pedagogy to improve learning.
Shannon Herbert is a writer and professor in the English Department at SMC. Her dissertation research at The University of Chicago examined the relationship between fiction and the late Twentieth-century fetish for technologically-enhanced objectivity. Both her research and teaching employ feminist and decolonial practices to center the experiences of historically marginalized communities and perspectives.
Diane (aka “D”) Laughton, an alumna of Santa Monica College's Interaction Design program, is the founder of Wheeler Dempsey Studio and Meadow co-working space. Leveraging her degree, Foster has built a career around helping others. At Wheeler Dempsey, she offers research and design services to kickstart businesses and secure funding for startups. At Meadow, she has created a work space that cultivates community and creativity. Her central mission is to foster innovation and empower individuals, providing the essential tools and guidance to bring their ideas to fruition.
Alisa Olinova is a multidisciplinary designer and creative consultant. She is freelancing as an art director, graphic designer, and illustrator. She loves making things come alive through design and art. Formerly at verynice, she has held every role from Design Intern to Design Director; working with 100+ organizations, many of them nonprofits, as well as teaching and speaking about design and social impact.
Guild Copeland is the Sr. Director of Brand & Experience at Apply Digital, a global digital consultancy that specializes in CX transformation for companies like the NBA, Kraft Heinz and the NFL. He joined Apply in 2024, when they acquired the design agency he founded, Sisu, Inc. For 2+ decades, Guild handled all business development efforts and also served as the strategic lead for Sisu’s clients, including Disney, DC Comics, American Express, Western Union, and the Grammys. He began his career in Washington, D.C., navigating the high seas of politics after graduating from Yale.
Santa Monica College alumna and adjunct faculty member, Jill DaSilva, is the CEO and Founder of the UX Design agency, Digital Karma. Jill began programming at 8 years old and has been designing digital experiences since the early 2000s. Beyond her consulting work, Jill teaches and speaks globally about User Experience Design, is a mentor for UX Designers, and is an official Adobe XD Instructor.
Sam is a graphic designer and information architect with 18 years of direct hands-on experience in graphic and mobile/web design practice. Sam has an MFA in Graphic Design from OTIS College of Art and Design and a bachelor of science in Biomedical Engineering. Crossing over to Graphic Design with a Mathematics and Engineering background has given Sam the ability to look at communication challenges from a unique perspective. Sam views graphic design as a multidisciplinary practice between “Art” and “System Engineering” plus “Linguistics” with the goal to establish a clear and universally understandable dialogue.
Ben Denzinger is an Industrial Designer with nearly 20 years of experience, working across industries from global brands to small businesses. He studied Industrial Design, as well as Innovation & Entrepreneurship, at Georgia Tech, Art Center College of Design, and Stanford’s d.school. Passionate about sustainability and community-driven impact projects, he is part of MaCher USA, a B Corp and EcoVadis Platinum-rated company in Venice Beach, California, helping brands create meaningful, identity-driven products.
Will Gamez is a multidisciplinary designer/researcher and alumni of the IXD program. Will has leveraged his learnings to construct and facilitate design thinking workshops and organize user research studies that advocate for equitable, human centered design solutions within JPMorgan Chase.
Imani Ritchards is the Director of Product Design at Snap Inc, where she leads a team of passionate and fearlessly creative designers. After earning her BA in Biology from Carleton College, Imani decided to pursue a creative career. She began her journey as a freelance illustrator and eventually returned to school to study Graphic Design and UX Design at Glendale Community College and Santa Monica College. After school, she interned on the Product Design Team at Snap Inc, and the rest is history. Outside of work, Imani loves to dance and get lost in a good book
Christian Eckels is a product designer, mentor, and design strategist. His guidance covers various areas, from research synthesis and design strategy to usability testing and portfolio development. With experience in both industry and education, Christian is committed to supporting students and professionals in refining their design thinking and communication skills. In addition to his work at IxD at SMC, he works as a Product Designer at CNN, focusing on the Product Design Foundations team.
Jackson Wang is a product designer with experience as a researcher and teacher. As a co-founding designer at Seesaws, an AI-powered creator platform, he is responsible for designing the product from zero to 1 while ensuring the platform is fun and rewarding for both creators and players. He has worked for companies including FightCamp, Jam City, Mattel, Zynga, CNN, and Mercedes-Benz. Jackson has a MBA from USC, a MFA in Media Design from Art Center College of Design and a BFA from Auburn University. He previously taught a design research course at Art Center and led game career workshops at DePaul University.
Erika Abrams is an innovative operational executive and creative strategist with over a decade of leadership experience across diverse industries. She specializes in cultural strategy, creative production, brand innovation, and community design, with a focus on fostering creative cultures and scalable growth. Erika’s leadership roles have included overseeing large-scale operations, such as serving as Director of Production, North America for Company 3 / Method Studios' television division, where she led over 300 employees. She currently advises and contributes to initiatives that champion creative innovation and strategic collaboration, aligning with her passion for advancing opportunities in design, communication, and cultural impact.
Gaby Castro, an alumna of the SMC Interaction Design program, is a UX designer passionate about accessibility, the outdoors, and human-centered design. With a background in back-end development, she blends technical problem-solving with creative thinking. She previously worked at Rivian, shaping in-vehicle experiences, leading nomenclature strategies, and contributing to a patent for Drive Modes, Rivian's flagship app. Now, at AdventureGenie, she’s focused on designing intuitive, inclusive experiences for RVers. Collaborative by nature, Gaby finds energy in creative discussions and believes great design should be accessible to everyone.
Isabel Bautista is a community-driven Interaction Designer from Los Angeles, passionate about crafting designs that uplift and empower underrepresented communities. She thrives on solving complex challenges with purpose and creativity, turning obstacles into opportunities for real, meaningful impact—always allowing research to guide her work. For Isabel, design is all about intention—every choice matters and every detail has a purpose. But beyond that, she genuinely loves the process of problem-solving—digging deep, exploring possibilities, and crafting experiences that feel effortless and intuitive. She finds excitement in building alongside with others who share the same drive while embracing the fun of exploring new realms of forward-thinking. If someone’s having a tough day, Isabel is always ready to help transform their experience into something better from start to finish. And when she needs to recharge, she uses the power of music and the gravitational pull of her bed and cat to ground her.
Get Involved
As a member of the IxD Student Design Team, junior Antonio Renoj compiled a reel showcasing student work. This video highlights the extensive range and quality of projects created by the classes of 2024 and 2025 during their time in the IxD program.
