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ABOUT ME
Hello! I'm Penelope Young, a recent graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder School of Environmental Design. I grew up in Denver and love spending time in the beautiful landscape of Colorado, which inspires much of my work. I have been formally studying art and design since 2013, at Denver School of the Arts for seven years and now at CU Boulder. I am consistently passionate about discovering new ways of creating.
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Beyond the academic realm, I immerse myself in yoga, finding balance on the mat that complements my creative endeavors. I love to hit the ski slopes of Colorado Rockies to embrace the thrill of the outdoors. I am an avid reader and am always on the lookout for a captivating story. I have a keen ear for music and enjoy discovering new songs and artists that fuel my imagination. I have recently taken up crocheting which has become another outlet for my creativity.
Education
2020 - 2024
Bachelor's in Environmental Design
Major: Architecture
University of Colorado Boulder
Graduating in May of 2024, I completed my Undergraduate Degree in 4 years with a Bachelor's in Environmental Design. I gained knowledge in all realms of design including Architecture, Product Design, Landscaping, Urban Planning and Graphic Design.
2023
Study Abroad
Major: Architecture
Bond University, Queensland Australia
In the Spring of 2023, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Queensland, Australia. Amongst the pristine beaches of the Gold Coast, near Brisbane, I fostered a new community at Bond University with the Abedian School of Architecture.
2013 - 2023
Denver School of the Arts
Major: Visual Arts
6th - 12th grade
My middle and high school education took place at Denver School of the Arts, a nationally recognized magnet school where I focused on the Visual Arts. For seven years, I honed my artistic abilities and grew deeply in expression of myself which went on to influence my decision to major in architecture at the University of Colorado Boulder.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dec 2022 - Apr 2023
Design Development Intern
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Jeny Smith; Private Homeowner
Denver, Colorado
As a freelance architectural designer, I developed renovation plans for an Accessory Dwelling Unit. Leverging my Bachelor’s Degree expertise, I delivered innovative redesign solutions, ensuring client collaboration and project success.
May 2022 - Aug 2022
Summer Camp Counselor
Geneva Glen Camp
Indian Hills, Colorado
Art & Design Leadership, Graphic Designer
Working as a Summer Camp Counselor at the Sleep Away Camp where I grew up was an incredibly rewarding job. While I explored my sense of design to give back to the camp community, I was most occupied by my day to day activities of caring for campers. Over the course of ten weeks, I was in full care of groups of up to twenty campers ranging from the ages of 5 to 14.
Apr 2022 - May 2022
Design Matters Home
Design Intern
Boulder, Colorado
Sep 2019 - Mar 2020
Children's Museum of Denver
Volunteer
Arts Studio Ambassador
Denver, Colorado
Through this internship, I utilized my hand drawing and drafting skills to create schematics for the firm which were supplied to clients to help determine continuing design steps.
As a volunteer at the Denver Children's Museum, I worked closely with staff to create a positive and creative environemnt within the Art Studio. Growing up visiting the Children's Museum, it was rewarding to give back to this local community and young future artists.
my design story
Since my early years, I’ve harbored a persistent desire to harmonize emotion and logic, and I’ve discovered this balance through the realms of emotional design and architectural systems. Raised by an artist mother and a father who crafted maps, I’ve been captivated by the fluid strokes on canvas and the intricate systems that delineate our environment, influencing our navigation through the world.
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The coexistence of art as the abstract and nature as the absolute has been a perpetual question, steering me along the trajectory of art and design as I sought to reconcile these seemingly disparate elements.
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In the early stages, my creative expression found manifestation in floor plans that materialized the emotions envisioned for a space.
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As my artistic sensibilities matured, I delved into formal art education, with a particular focus on portraiture, providing another avenue to explore the tangible representation of abstract emotions, expressed through the human form.
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Design and architecture constitute my true passion, an intrinsic driving force that taps into the deepest sense of self and offers clarity amidst the abstract. My work stands as a visual chronicle of this transformative journey.
