Meet Ana, one of our newest members of the design team.
So Ana, introduce yourself.
I’m Ana, a designer at Dawn. My path’s been quite a windy one, which started in the US. I’m from Boston and moved over to Manchester about 3 years ago. I originally studied primary education back home and spent a couple of years teaching English in Spain.
When I moved to the UK I decided to transition into the world of design and completed a 3 month boot camp at Shillington. Before Dawn I was freelancing at a few studios like Lucky Dip and conducting rebrands for small businesses. I sent Dawn an application with my fingers crossed because I was impressed with their level of work and the studio ethos.
Do you have any hobbies?
Do I have any hobbies? I’m a hobby collector. I have a very long list of hobbies but have recently started knitting and making kefir (i’m still not sure if I’m actually just making gone off milk). I made the trousers I’m currently wearing, last night. If I see something I like, I immediately have to DIY it. Of course I cut my own hair and will only eat pasta if it’s been made by hand.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by cities, the way we interact with the spaces we inhabit and what fills them. I specifically love looking at typography. My phone is filled with random images of the type I spy while on a walk. Juan Nava recreates old signs found across Spain which are beautiful. I believe that there’s so much inspiration in the world around us and that there’s value in stepping away from screens to take a deeper look at the world.
Favourite place you’ve ever been, and why?
I did a semester abroad in Madrid and later lived there. It’s not the prettiest city in the world (sorry) but it’s so beautiful in other ways. I grew up in a small town and went to university not far from where I’m from and Madrid was the first place I was able to see the world in a different way. I go back at least twice a year to drink a mahou by the palacio real at sunset and buy as many sachets of jamon that will fit in my bag.
