Student Stories: Allie Runnion

Meet Allie Runnion, Designer and Illustrator from Cambridge, MA. Allie redesigned and printed a set of her very own business cards from her learnings in Typography That Works: Typographic Compositions and Flats. We had a chance to sit down to learn more about Allie's story here:

Tell us a bit more about yourself and your background.
I graduated from the illustration department at Rhode Island School of Design in 2009 and have since been working as a graphic designer while continuing to improve my illustration work on the side. I'm inspired by color and pattern and have a great love for children's illustration.

How was Ellen Lupton's class helped with designing and printing your very own business cards? 
Designing business cards for myself was something that I had been meaning to do for awhile, but Ellen Lupton's class gave me the push to finally do it. Ellen is a great teacher, and her lessons on typography were also a great refresher for me.

Are there other ways that Skillshare has been useful to you professionally or personally?
Yes! I've enrolled in several classes on Skillshare including illustration and pattern design. I am really motivated by project or assignment-based learning and Skillshare has been a great resource for me. Working full time, I struggle to create assignments for myself and follow through on them. Skillshare sets up a structure that really encourages me to complete a project, and in turn I've learned so much! I also really enjoy learning each illustrator or designer's own set of tips and techniques and applying them to my own skill set.

Do you have any tips for other students on how to get the most out of Skillshare?
If you can, join a class right when it starts and take part in the project. I too have also joined classes just to quickly watch the video tutorials, but I get so much more out of the class when I work on the assignment. I would join a class and start the project right when it begins. Don't forget to return the favor and leave feedback for others as well!