Q. You’re a design major. What drew you to that subject?
I’ve always liked art. Since I was little, I would paint and draw. I decided to go into design because in high school I volunteered, doing graphic design, for a lot of clubs and school events and organizations (including the Red Cross)... I still volunteer. People still ask me to do graphic design for them, and I do. I enjoy it. I still paint sometimes, too, mostly landscapes.

I feel like design is really powerful… I think it’s really cool to be able to communicate to viewers through graphics, and not necessarily words. It’s a challenge to create a design that’s not only pretty or beautiful, and that communicates the designer’s aesthetic, but also has meaning and clearly communicates the designer’s message.

Q. What are your thoughts on the Lighting Technology and Interior Design class?
Xiaomei and I really enjoy the class. We found the material really interesting. We discovered a whole new aspect of lighting. When we took [Professor Papamichael’s] class last year, we learned a lot about daylighting and how it affects the interior architecture of a building. … With [Professor Siminovitch’s] class this year, we’ve been able to learn ways to manipulate lighting within the space. It’s been really helpful for both [Xiaomei and me]...

Q. Do you see yourself entering a career in lighting design?
I’m definitely really interested in lighting design, but I think I’ll continue to explore many different fields.

Q. You mentioned you’ve partnered with Xiaomei in other classes. Could you see yourselves partnering professionally on projects after graduation?
That would be cool. [Smiles and laughs.] We work well together.

Q. Have you faced any big challenges in your academic career at UC Davis?
Last spring quarter, I was still hoping to do both design and music majors. [Cynthia plays piano and percussion.] I was taking 21 units. I wish I had the time to do both, or even to minor in music, but through that struggle, I learned that I just like design more.

Q. What do you like about UC Davis?
I think UC Davis provides a variety of majors and options. Within the design major, there are different emphases, and we’re free to take classes from all those different areas. I think this is really helpful for letting students find what we are truly after.

When I first entered the major, I didn’t think I would take any lighting courses. I thought I would just focus on mostly interior design classes. But after taking classes with [Professors Michael Siminovitch and Konstantinos Papamichael], I discovered I really like lighting and that there are many other avenues that I need to explore.