Fuel for Fresh Designs
Meet Filterati Kitty Moujaes: multidisciplinary designer, inspiring activist and a font of wisdom about how to land an amazing job as a recent graduate. In this week’s “Gimme 5”, Kitty chats with us about their journey from school to a rewarding job, how the design world is shifting, and where they draw inspiration for their unique designs.
1. Tell us a bit about the journey that led you to your current role at Microsoft.
I certainly didn’t get hired at Microsoft overnight. After graduating this year from Western Washington University with a BFA in Design, I moved to the Seattle area to start my career within the design community here, which inevitably led me to Filter. A short consultation and a few days later I landed an interview at Microsoft’s Redmond Campus, where I was literally (and quite unbelievably) hired on the spot. Sometimes it still doesn’t feel real.
2. What do you like most about being a multidisciplinary designer?
For me, being a multidisciplinary designer allows me more autonomy and mobility in my pursuit of work. As a young person just now starting my career, this is an immense privilege that I do not take lightly. Moreover, I feel like my work has naturally improved due to the crossover of knowledge that happens when you pull from a diverse range of perspectives.
3. When you hit a creative block, where do you look for inspiration?
I step away from formal design altogether when I feel creatively stagnant. I find inspiration in history, art, books, movies, music, theory, fashion, and other cultural outlets.
4. What do you think will be the most exciting design-related trends of 2017?
I always have my eyes peeled for nuanced approaches to identity design and brand strategy. I’m especially excited about discovering new ways to drive deeper engagement within pre-existing ecosystems that successful branding can create.
5. What are you passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work I’m involved with a few creative projects, most notably a graphic novel that I’ve been working on for the past few months. I’ve always been mystified by the art of storytelling, in all of its many forms, so my attraction to branding, styling, and illustration only seems natural. Only recently did I realize that my interest in these disciplines inevitably led me to want to carve out my own space within the graphic novel industry, specifically within the queer/feminist sector. It’s all very exciting.
Other than that, my partner and I are both slowly integrating into the queer community here in Seattle, which both inspires and sustains us. We hope to be active, visible members of our community, providing help and support any way we can.
Read more about Kitty’s path from recent graduate to Microsoft Designer in Oh the Places You’ll Go: Job Hunting as a Recent Grad.
