ARTIST STATEMENT:

As a Libra, Mishka has always been drawn to balance, beauty, and all things rooted in love—principles that continue to shape my personal and creative life. Her passions span dancing, music, reading, and, most notably, creating visual experiences through digital design. These interests have collectively informed her perspective as a designer and storyteller. 

Throughout her time in the DGMA program, Mishka has developed a deep understanding of visual communication. She have honed her skills across Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Dreamweaver and expanded her capabilities into 3D modeling and motion design, allowing Mishka to approach creative problem-solving from multiple dimensions. 

Her design practice is centered on creating work that resonates emotionally, tells compelling stories, and amplifies voices within her community. Mishka aims to blend technical precision with personal narrative with each project, always grounding her work in meaning and intention. After graduation, Mishka aspires to apply her skills in graphic design, advertising, web design, and media production—where she can continue to grow as an artist and communicator.

THESIS STATEMENT:

Ignite Intimacy is a multimedia design project that investigates the relationship between Black individuals and emotional intimacy. This work is rooted in personal experience and reflection, specifically on how patterns formed in early life continue to shape present-day understandings of connection and vulnerability. Growing up with limited access to conversations around emotional intimacy prompted a deeper curiosity and desire to explore these themes, not just for personal growth, but as a means of engaging with and giving back to the broader community. As I turned to my own environment for insight, I recognized that many members of the Black community also lacked access to open dialogue and education around emotional closeness and communication. 

In the early stages of my research, I was surprised by the noticeable absence of scholarly literature focused on how intimacy is experienced, expressed, or received within Black relationships. While the subjects of love and emotional well-being have always intrigued me, I initially approached this thesis with hesitation, unsure of how the work would be perceived. Despite these concerns, I remained committed to the idea that this project must come from a place of empathy and care, with the hope that it could help build healthier, more intentional relationships within the community. 

The primary aim of Ignite Intimacy is to inform and empower the Black community in Prairie View, Texas, and surrounding areas by shedding light on the impacts of intimacy deprivation and offering tools to foster emotional stability and stronger interpersonal communication. Through carefully designed resources, such as interactive media, positive visual representation, guided readings, and relationship-building games, this project seeks to address generational setbacks around intimacy and encourage a more open and informed dialogue. Ultimately, Ignite Intimacy serves as both a reflective space and a practical tool that community members can return to, share with others, and use to cultivate more meaningful connections. 

SOCIAL LINKS