Why I’m Passionate about Designing for the Public Sector

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my almost 18-year career in design and how and why I got into working in the public sector. Storytime!

While in college, I had my heart set on working at a big branding or advertising firm designing for some of the world’s most popular brands. I wanted to start working in the field right away, but there weren’t many internship opportunities in my area. My aunt Frances, who was working for The City of Fontana’s community services department at the time, told me the department needed a part-time graphic designer. I didn’t hesitate to apply and was excited when I got the position.

After graduation, I had planned on looking for one of those “big-time” agency jobs, but I stayed with the City of Fontana for almost six years. It was so fulfilling to be able to work on various projects and witness the positive impact they had on the community. I even recieved a few awards recognizing my efforts in creating a cohesive brand identity for the city and providing various support to all the municipal departments.

Since then, I have joined a communications and marketing team for one of the top STEM colleges in the country, co-founded a coworking space in my local community, and started a small creative agency of my own, working exclusively with cities and other public sector organizations.

It has been a fun ride so far. I’ve made some life-long friends, impacted my community, and learned a lot along the way. Now, I have my eyes set on sharing what I’ve learned in hopes that it might inspire a young designer to pursue a career in the public sector.

I still feel like I have a lot to learn. But I have a compass, and it's guided by a passion for service, creativity, and the belief that design can truly shape the world for the better. As I move forward, I hope to continue growing, collaborating, and pushing boundaries—both for myself and for the next generation of designers who, like me, see the power of design as a force for positive change.