My Emerging Media Journey: Passion, Discovery, and Design with Purpose
Starting With a Desire for Change
When I began the Emerging Media program at the University of Georgia, I was driven by a desire to make an impact. As a mother of two (with another on the way), balancing family life and personal ambitions has always been central to my world. I didn’t have a specific end goal in mind, but I knew I wanted to grow — to build something thoughtful, inclusive, and challenging. I saw technology and design not as abstract tools, but as powerful instruments for change — especially when built with empathy at the center.
What I found in this program wasn’t just technical training — it was a journey of discovery and confidence-building. My background in writing and public relations gave me a solid foundation in storytelling, but I wanted to push further: to design for users, to develop experiences, and to amplify stories in meaningful ways. I was especially drawn to the idea of accessibility — not just as a checkbox, but as a guiding principle. I wanted to create experiences that were intuitive, respectful, and usable by all.
This program challenged me in ways I never expected. Juggling full-time work, graduate-level coursework, and a growing family required deep focus and commitment. During my time at UGA, we sold our home of seven years, moved in with my parents, built our dream house, and welcomed our third child — who we learned early on would be born with Down Syndrome. Through it all, I kept going: completing assignments, collaborating with teammates, and tackling complex concepts. And in the middle of that beautiful chaos, I grew.
My family — the best support system during this crazy two years!
The UGA Experience: Building Knowledge and Confidence
My path to UGA wasn’t just about earning a degree — it was about challenging myself, learning from others, and refining my skills to make a meaningful impact. The structure of the program was invaluable, but more importantly, it gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and believe in my ability to create change.
Web Development laid the groundwork for my technical skillset. Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from scratch was humbling and empowering — I went from zero to building functioning websites, something I never imagined doing outside of template-based platforms.
New Media Design challenged me to think visually and strategically, helping me build an understanding of how typography, color theory, and layout affect user experience. I learned to appreciate not just how a design looks — but how it feels and functions.
In Emerging Media Design & Aesthetics, I began to see how thoughtful, empathetic design could solve real-world problems. This is where the idea for Knowable Kitchen, my team’s Capstone project, first began to take shape.
Project Management & Innovation taught me how to plan, scope, and execute creative work. I learned how to lead a project through uncertainty — skills that were invaluable when my Capstone team tackled big ideas on tight timelines.
In Advanced Web Development, I built on my foundational skills by working with APIs, integrating backend data, and designing more complex interactions. This class helped me realize I could take an idea and make it dynamic and responsive in real time.
For my final project in Advanced Web Development, I created an API-integrated movie recommendation website called Just Pick One! It was a fun and challenging project where I combined various tech skills to deliver personalized movie suggestions to users.
Native App Development was especially eye-opening. Though it was out of my comfort zone, learning the fundamentals of iOS development gave me insight into how mobile technology works under the hood and deepened my understanding of the platforms people use every day.
Emerging Media Industries offered a broader view of the media landscape — how innovation happens in industry, how trends evolve, and how strategy plays a critical role in shaping product success. It connected the creative side of my brain with the business side.
Digital Media Storytelling brought everything full circle. I learned to integrate design, development, and strategy into cohesive narratives — and was reminded that great storytelling is always at the heart of great design.
For my final project in Native App Development, I built a travel destination picker app. The app helps users explore and choose travel destinations based on their preferences, offering a fun and interactive way to plan trips.
Case Studies and Projects: Gaining Insight and Crafting Solutions with Empathy
Throughout the program, I worked on several projects that helped clarify my goals and deepen my understanding of user-centered design. One of the most impactful experiences was conducting a competitive analysis for Knowable Kitchen, our Capstone project. I examined recipe platforms through a critical lens — analyzing user experience, design, and accessibility. As a busy mom, I saw firsthand how many of these platforms failed to support the realities of different dietary needs, tight budgets, and hectic lifestyles. What started as a research assignment quickly became a personal mission: to simplify meal planning and cooking for real people navigating real challenges every day.
Collaborating with my Capstone team gave me the space to apply everything I’d learned in a meaningful way. We leaned into each other’s strengths, challenged our assumptions, and stayed rooted in the user experience from start to finish. It reaffirmed for me that the best solutions are born from empathy, thoughtful collaboration, and a willingness to listen — to both users and one another.
Our capstone project, Knowable Kitchen, is something we designed, branded, and built from the ground up. We created the entire website and concept from scratch, combining our ideas, research, and skills to bring this recipe platform to life.
The Capstone: Bringing It All Together
Our Capstone project, Knowable Kitchen, was the culmination of everything I’d learned. It wasn’t just another recipe website — it was a platform designed for real life. We built a space that was accessible, inclusive, and adaptable. Users could filter recipes by allergies, dietary restrictions, and preferences. We integrated community content and AI-driven recommendations to create a personalized experience that could grow with each user.
For me, Knowable Kitchen wasn’t just a project — it was proof that design can change lives, even in small, daily ways. It cemented my belief that accessibility and inclusivity should never be afterthoughts. They are the foundation of meaningful, human-centered design.
The Future: A Vision for Accessible and Empathetic Design
Looking back, this program has been nothing short of transformative. The challenges stretched me, but they also shaped me. I’ve learned that designing digital experiences isn’t just about technology — it’s about people. It’s about listening to their needs, understanding their obstacles, and creating with compassion.
Today, I serve as Assistant Director of Advancement Services — a role I was promoted into during the program, directly because of the skills and mindset I developed here. I approach my work with clarity, confidence, and care, always seeking to solve problems with empathy at the core.
I’ve even taken what I’ve learned beyond the classroom, using my new expertise to brand my family’s farm. From designing a logo to developing a full brand guide, I’ve been able to bring professional-level strategy and design into a deeply personal space.
As I look to the future, my mission remains the same: to design with purpose. Whether through digital tools, storytelling, or strategic planning, I want everything I create to reflect the values that carried me through this journey: accessibility, empathy, and impact.
The Emerging Media program didn’t just prepare me to succeed — it prepared me to lead.
Go Dawgs!!!
Thanks to the Emerging Media program, Todd Legacy Farm is more than just land and livestock — it’s a fully realized brand. I applied the same principles I used in my coursework to bring our family farm to life visually and strategically. From designing the logo to crafting a full brand guide, I’ve been able to tell our farm’s story with clarity, intention, and heart. It’s been incredibly rewarding to merge personal passion with professional expertise.