Arts & Entertainment

Malibu High Grad Eyes Career in Design in NYC

Malibu High School alum Lindsay Johnson graduated from Skidmore College this month and has landed an internship at Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York.

Malibu's Lindsay Johnson graduated from Skidmore College earlier this month and is hoping to pursue a career in design.

Malibu Patch caught up with Johnson, who is a Malibu High School alumni, and here's what she had to say about her future plans:

Malibu Patch: What are your plans now that you have graduated? Do you plan on coming back to Mailbu?

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Lindsay Johnson: I have a summer internship in New York City working with the external communications department at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, which I am excited about because it will let me blend my love of architecture with graphic and communication design. When that is over, my current plan is to stay in the NYC area for a bit and find opportunities, whether at a graphic design firm, magazine, or architecture firm, that will help me grow as a designer and build a strong portfolio for grad school.

I also have a passion for children’s books. I self published a series of children’s books centered around a young Claude Monet for my senior capstone and would love to find a way to have those actually published. It would be great to continue to write and illustrate children’s books. I will definitely be back to visit Malibu though. It is too beautiful to stay away from for long.

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Malibu Patch: I understand you are a graphic designer. How has your time in Malibu influence your art?

Lindsay Johnson: I do graphic design, but I do more communication design (graphic design does not necessarily communicate a message) and also illustrate, so I think of myself more as a designer. My parents have always encouraged my love of art and given me every opportunity to take art classes and immerse myself in my passion. Malibu is also such a naturally beautiful place with the beach on one side and the mountains on the other. That has definitely influenced my artwork as I love to draw whimsical landscapes.

My move to New York to go to Skidmore College has definitely also had a huge influence on my artistic style. Skidmore is great in that the college is so open to exploration and new ideas, which has really fostered my creative growth. I got to take classed in a diverse range of art from jewelry and metals to printmaking, to architecture (during my studies abroad) and communication design. My studies abroad also allowed me to see so many different styles and forms of art and also served as great source of inspiration for my own work.

Malibu Patch: What do you miss most about Malibu?

Lindsay Johnson: The immediate answer is my family and old friends. Of Malibu, I miss the mountains and being able to basically walk outside my house and go hike a gorgeous trail. Long hikes, both alone and with a good friend, have really been a source of inspiration and a great source of meditation for me.The natural beauty of Malibu is unparalleled in my mind. Every time I go home I'm more in awe of how beautiful the place I grew up is.

Malibu Patch: What advice do you have for Malibu High seniors about to graduate and head to college?

Lindsay Johnson: I know it sounds cliché, but it is so true, find what it is you are passionate about and pursue it. With me it is design. When I would go to class for a subject I didn’t find interesting I really struggled, but when I was in my graphic and communication design classes I never felt like I was in class because I loved it so much.

Also, if you are given the opportunity to study or travel abroad-go. My studies abroad in Florence, Italy and Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as my travels to other wonderful places, really opened my eyes and forever changed my perspective on so many things. Not only were these adventures abroad a blast- I met so many wonderful people and saw so much inspiring art, but these travels really made me step back and look at the bigger picture of life and not stress the small things as much. I also really had to look into myself and find what I do and do not want in my life and that has really made me a much more balanced and happy person.

See more of Lindsay's work at www.lindsayjohnson.viewbook.com.


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