ASHLEY
HUTCHINSON
d e s i g n
ABOUT ME
Born and raised in the suburbs of Seattle, I was exposed to the world of visual and performing art at an early age. By the time I was three I was enrolled in dance classes, of all disciplines, and have continued to teach. As a teacher, I reflect on my dance career and realize that at an early age I understood conceptual art. I understood how to interpret a song, an experience or emotion and translate it through movement. As I grew older, my passion for the performing arts started to developing into visual art. Translating these themes into physical forms and spaces. I became more and more aware of the spaces I occupied and the impact they had on me. Not only on an emotion level but how I interacted and behaved in the space. Similar to choreographing a routine with “steps”, I began understanding the elements and principles of design. In 2007, I was accepted into the Interdisciplinary School of Interior Design at Washington State University. The program provided considerable opportunities to present my design projects and work in a collaborative environment with colleagues from the schools of Architecture, Engineering, and Visual Communications.
After graduation, I explored various different avenues of design (Resume link below). Utilizing my design skills and previous retail experience, I was hired by Free People (a women’s clothing boutique) to join their Visual Merchandising Team. The position expanded my aptitude in merchandising, styling, visual display, graphic design and advertising. In 2013 I chose to broaden my Interior Design experience, and accepted a Junior Interior Design position at Sechrist Design. The exposure to Commercial Design (Hospitality, Multi-Family, and Senior Living) eventually lead me to Dawson Design, where I became Lead Concept Designer for International projects, Ankrom Moisan Architects, and eventually NBBJ.
Throughout these experiences, my philosophy and passion for Design has expanded in a way that continuously challenges me. While I value and enjoy the creative process inherent in design work, I believe the key to good design is meticulous communication and attention to detail. Similar to the fluidity and style a dancer develops, attention to detail and transitions are how Designers and Architects communicate. Design can communicate, through different mediums, stories and special experiences that stimulate the senses.