Graphic Design student from Grand Rapids, MI
Meet Paige Mulder, a Graphic Design student from Grand Rapids, MI. Paige plans to graduate in May 2028.
Why did you decide to come to NMU?
All of my cool cousins on my mom's side of the family came to Northern. My elder cousin, Georgia Harrison, co-founded EcoReps during her undergraduate years here. I was raised to be environmentally conscious, being mindful of my consumption and aware of the widespread waste overflow that exists globally. Northern has been clear with its messaging, acknowledging these facts and making efforts to move towards sustainability as a campus.
What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?
This semester, I will be going on a trip with CMD C: Northern Michigan Design Society to Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to the Hamilton Type Museum, where we will take a tour of their space and then practice creating woodtype for ourselves.
I love how the Art and Design School invites artists from the community, as well as those from Japan, to share their professional processes.
What are you involved in on and off-campus and what has been the most rewarding experience?
I am the social media manager for CMD C: Northern Michigan Design Society, formerly known as American Institute of Graphic Arts. I am a member of Tomorrow's Voices, Yoga Club, and Student Art League. I am a Hunt Hall Resident #HuntHallBestHall. By far the most rewarding experience has been building my community here. In high school, I struggled to find that circle of people, simply because there were not many art students in my graduating class. I've found that within my department, there are people with whom I can chat about my favorite artists and use artistic language.
How did you find your sense of belonging at NMU?
I met my best friend not at new student orientation, I saw many people meet their closest friend there, and I was initially very worried myself. I met my closest friends when classes actually began for my concentration. I found that it was much easier for me to connect with the other artistic individuals who dressed similarly to me.
What would you tell someone who is considering coming to NMU?
DO ITTTTTT! I love it up here so much that being far from home naturally forced me to grow up and spread my wings, which was my entire goal in pursuing higher education. It completely shifted my mindset to thinking in the long term, and realizing that the time we have on this earth is finite, amplified my drive to make a difference in others' lives through my career in design.