Alumni Stories – Robyn Asquini
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Robyn Asquini and I’m a Graphic Designer and Creative Strategist. I also founded the company Art Tap
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada and worked for a few years in Toronto before moving to NYC.
What project/job/event/research are you currently working on? Please tell us a little about the impetus, content, expected impact of this work.
During the day, I work as the Head of Digital Design for a Venture Capital firm. During evenings and weekends, I work on my own startup Art Tap, a platform which sells original and limited edition works by professional fine artists, with the goal of making original artwork more affordable and approachable.
In what ways did the work/research you did at parsons prepare you for that transition and the work you’re doing now?
During my master’s in SDM, I chose to take a deep dive into the art world and understand how best to use current technology and design thinking to disrupt the art world and make it more enjoyable and accessible. Working on my final studio project with Jerome Goh and Randy Plemel, two Design Leads at IDEO, I created the prototype and brand for Art Tap. Designing and developing the brand around an omni-channel art buying experience, I tested and iterated repeatedly on the design and user experience of the prototype before deciding to launch my business.
List any awards, recognitions, etc. that you’ve received since leaving Parsons.
I recently received funding and mentorship for my startup Art Tap from the Publicis Groupe, while I was a fellow at the Parsons Elab. To celebrate the agency’s 90th anniversary, Publicis launched a global initiative called Publicis90 to support 90 startups and Art Tap was selected. As part of this award, I was flown to Paris, France to pitch Art Tap and receive this award at the Viva Technology conference.
How has the MS-SDM program challenged you to grow as a strategic designer?
I’ve become a much better problem solver, both in my graphic design work and as a business owner. Throughout the program, SDM students tackle many complex issues using a variety of tools for creative problem solving. By analyzing problems in different ways and working with others who have different skill sets, I’ve improved my strategic design skills.
If you were to give one piece of advice to current students, what would it be?
The SDM program gives you the opportunity to lean and practice many skills. Pay close attention to what you enjoy working on and what you dislike. The better you know yourself, the more likely you are to chose a career that will bring you happiness and success after graduation.
What book are you reading right now?
I’m in the middle of two boks: Management of Art Galleries, by Magnus Resch and The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Check out Robyn’s Work | Follow Robyn on Twitter