My name is Dawson Estep and I am a first-year Design Foundations student at The Ohio State University! My college education began at Columbus State Community College where I stayed for two years earning an Associate Degree and completing a transfer program that would send me straight to The Ohio State University. In high school, I taught myself to repair devices and studied the smartphone industry for years, and thus my passion for technology and design sprouted. I did what I could to repair people’s phones and tech for free during school and realized my ultimate goal in life. To help people, no matter how small the favor! I’ve made it through this program, and hopefully, I can move on to the next: Visual Communications. I’ve realized that Design has always been in my life whether it was making fun slideshows or art, it was always there. I’ve learned more than I imagined I could and I’m eager to continue. Regardless of what the future holds for me in Ohio State’s Design programs, I’ll always keep trying to learn. The collaboration and teamwork in this program are unmatched, and I hope to experience it again next semester.
Why design?
My love for design follows a similar path as my love for technology and comic books; it encompassed me when I was just a kid and all the way through high school. To create something that helps someone in their day-to-day is my dream. I want to utilize design for the betterment of people’s lives. I grew up reading stories of amazing heroes and whether they’re helping an older man with his groceries or stopping a falling jet, they’re there for everyone. This led me down a path of wishing desperately to do the same, but I’m no superhero.
I believe that Design is almost like a superpower, in a way. Some design things that harm others whereas others design for the betterment of the world around us! It depends on the person in control, and I have a firm belief in my capabilities but more importantly: a willingness to continue learning and use my knowledge for the good.
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” ~ George Eliot