Machiko Harashima

When you think of Graphic Design you think of logos and brochures and posters, you don't think of creating graphics on T-shirts," says FIDM Graphic Design grad Machiko Harashima, who creates all the graphics for Levi Strauss's Women, Juniors, Nouveau, Plus, Tweens, and 4-6x lines. She also gets to design the hangtags, labels, collateral for conventions, marketing posters, and in-store material. "I never thought that I would be in Graphic Design fashion, but since FIDM is on my resume a lot of people called me for it!" she adds.

Though she considers herself an "all-American girl," Machiko grew up within the constraints of another culture. "It was challenging because with traditional Japanese parents, they found it hard for me to be an artist." So Machiko headed to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned a B.A. in Journalism. Thinking she might like to be a reporter, Machiko worked at what is now Tech TV recruiting talent, and even had a small stint on-air, but "it wasn't satisfying at all!" Meanwhile, being around all that technical info, Machiko learned to build her own websites. She was able to take this web design knowledge to MTV Interactive Group, where she worked on MTV.com, VH1.com, sonicnet.com, and addictedtonoise.com.

With her web cred solid, Machiko realized that what she lacked was background knowledge in Graphic Design. When the web bubble burst in San Francisco and the company asked her to relocate to New York, she opted to stay in San Francisco and attend FIDM's Professional Designation program in Graphic Design. Because she already had a college degree, Machiko was able to enroll in FIDM's quick, one-year Professional Designation program. It turned out to be the right choice. She remembers, "The best thing about [the program] is that it was geared toward professional people. It's more focused. It exposed me to fashion as well." At FIDM, she found out that the fashion industry involves a great deal of Graphic Design. "A lot of people don't know that!" Logo Design became one of Machiko's favorite classes at FIDM. "It was as if we were in a professional environment," she says. "We dealt with real-life stuff." Portfolio Development also proved valuable. Machiko says of the instructor, "He did a really good job of telling us what people in the real world want to see."

After FIDM, Machiko began working in the fashion end of Graphic Design. She did freelance Graphic Design for Pacific Sunwear juniors and Product Design for PacSun's accessories line. At BCBG Max Azria, she did Graphic Design and Textile Design for their women's dress, sportswear, and denim departments.

Now she's at Jerry Leigh Entertainment Apparel, a large company that holds the license to design and manufacture some of the Levi-Strauss clothing. As Machiko describes it, "I work with the Fashion Designer to come up with the designs for each delivery, including techniques such as sugar glitter, embroidery, and rhinestones." She goes on. "Each season is a different style, and the best part is complete and total creative freedom!"

There's a lot of independence in her job. "You come up with a theme, like '70s. You go shopping for books or ideas. You create the artwork. You present it to your team. And you decide which pieces of artwork are appropriate for which 'bodies'" -- meaning which specific shirt shapes: scoop-neck, V-neck, long sleeve, tank, etc.

Machiko's favorite part about being a Graphic Designer is having the "ability to communicate though visuals," and she'd like to spread that ability to others. "My future goal has always been to open up an art center to guide young adults and children within the art world," she says. "I think that art, Graphic Design, is very therapeutic. It's a way to communicate when you don't know how to communicate verbally." Her advice to aspiring designers is, "Notice. Observe. Read everything, not just about art. You'll discover inspiration in anything!"

And FIDM gave Machiko the means to implement her own inspiration. By taking her talent and interests and combining them with training, FIDM gave Machiko the skills she needed to move forward in a great Graphic Design career and helped put her on the Graphic Design map!