What is your name, job title, and how long have you been a member of the Landmarks team?
My name is Dorothy Lin. I’m the graphic designer at Landmarks, and I’ve been a part of the team for three and a half years.
Describe your career journey from your educational experiences to your current position.
I’ve always had a variety of interests. Growing up, I enjoyed studying the sciences and math, while also taking art lessons with my mother, which I remember very fondly.
I majored in business economics and followed a pre-med track in college, but I was also curious about pursuing a more creative career. During my senior year, I took foundational drawing and graphic design classes at RISD, which helped me build a portfolio. Fortunately, this was during the dot-com boom, and I was hired as a junior graphic designer at a marketing agency in San Francisco, despite having little formal design experience.
I worked there for a year, learning on the job while also taking continuing education classes at UC Berkeley. Those experiences helped strengthen my portfolio and prepared me to apply to graduate school. I studied Communications Design at Pratt Institute, where I had some amazing professors who deeply shaped my understanding of design.
After graduating, I joined one of those professors, Graham Hanson, at his multidisciplinary design firm in New York for ten years. When I started, it was a very small team, which gave me the opportunity to be deeply involved in everything from the creative process to the practical side of running a design firm.
After my time at GHD Partners, I took a year off to travel with my husband. During that time, we were inspired to start a company together called Bonjournal, a website and app designed specifically for travelers. Working at Bonjournal was essentially a crash course in UX/UI design, product development, and building a user base on a shoestring marketing budget. We learned everything that goes into building a company from scratch together.
We eventually wound down Bonjournal during the pandemic, and shortly after, I learned about Landmarks. Being relatively new to Austin, I was amazed to discover the incredible art throughout UT Austin’s campus. Joining Landmarks as a graphic designer has been the perfect opportunity to help make that art accessible to the public.
How have your previous work and education experiences prepared you for the responsibilities of this position?
Having a background in math and science, I tend to think practically about design. When I start on projects for Landmarks, I spend a lot of time researching to fully understand the tasks. Looking at each project through the lens of problem-solving helps frame the work and guide the entire creative process.
How do you collaborate with other members of the Landmarks team to carry out your shared goals?
Collaboration comes naturally at Landmarks because each team member brings a unique area of expertise. As the graphic designer, I might work one-on-one with a colleague or collaborate with a larger group, depending on the project. Throughout the process, we share ideas openly, exchange feedback freely, and check in regularly to keep everyone aligned and engaged. That open communication is what makes our collaboration work so well.
What has been your proudest accomplishment while working at Landmarks so far?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been creating the visual campaign and helping with our annual Paws for Public Art program. Each March, we host four petting zoo stations at iconic Landmarks works to give students a fun mental health break during midterms. Last year was our third event, and it's become one of our most popular programs. Students line up to pet baby goats, bunnies, chicks, and hedgehogs, all within view of beautiful works of art. Seeing their faces light up while interacting with the animals is a wonderful reminder of the positive impact Landmarks’ programs can have on student well-being.
Where can we find your work for Landmarks?
You can spot my work across campus—from posters that promote our free tours, events, and programs to digital signage, and more. I design our social media graphics and even create fun little swag like the stickers and bandanas that we hand out at events. Beyond campus, you can find my work in ads, brochures, and other assets that promote each new public art project we launch.
What advice would you give to a young person starting out in their career?
Making a big career change, I definitely felt in over my head at first. I remember being nervous during my first graduate school showcase and struggling with imposter syndrome. Eventually, I realized that stepping outside of my comfort zone was exactly what helped me learn and build confidence. My advice would be to trust yourself and pursue the opportunities that make you hesitate a little, as they’re often the ones that help you grow the most. I also encourage students to actively connect with people in their field. Building relationships and learning from the experience of others can be incredibly valuable.
What is your favorite piece in the Landmarks collection and why?
My favorite work in the collection is the James Turrell Skyspace. When I’m there, my mind becomes quiet and I feel completely immersed in the moment. I’ve been to a few sunset light sequences, and I love that every visit has felt different. If you attend a musical performance, you get to enjoy the wonderful acoustics. Whether clouds are passing over the oculus or the sky is perfectly clear also changes the experience. Even my own personal mood influences how I see the Skyspace, which is one of the things that makes it so special to me.