Lucia Inkley–Pacheco

Lucia was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, but has been calling San Diego, California, home for nine years. Music, movies, books, animals, and nature are her favorite things. With a nomadic spirit, she has had the unique opportunity to call every county of North America my home, immersing herself in diverse cultures and experiences. Through her journey, she has gained a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, constantly seeking to foster harmony and understanding in everything she does.

She graduated college in 2008 with a BA in Design from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), and now she specialize in graphic and product design. In 2022, she obtained a sustainability certification from UCLA’s Extended Studies program.

Personal Pronouns

She/her

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

I studied graphic design and have been working in the outdoor sports industry for over six years, across different companies, primarily within the R&D department and with a focus on eyewear. My background in graphic design has been the foundation of my work, while my experience in R&D has allowed me to expand beyond traditional graphic design into a more interdisciplinary role.

I work closely with cross-functional teams on color and material exploration, trend forecasting, and packaging development, helping shape products from early concept stages through execution. It’s an industry with significant room for growth in sustainable practices, and working in this space has allowed me to apply my education in sustainable design in meaningful, real-world ways, including collaborating on sustainability initiatives, such as the process toward B Corp certification, in a previous role.

How did you get your job?

I was working as a freelance graphic designer, and one of the companies I freelanced for decided to bring me on as a full-time employee. The opening wasn’t in the creative department but in the R&D team, which allowed me to grow into a new role while still using my graphic design background.

What inspires you/your work?

My work is inspired by my community, nature, my loved ones, and creative fields like film, art, and music. I believe inspiration can come from almost everything around us, especially when we slow down enough to observe and absorb the small details of the world we move through every day.

How do you network yourself and your art?

That's something I am just staring to explore, but I have been able to find different sustainbility and creative events aorind my area and this has allowed me to my people in similar fields. Also, the internet is a good place to start.

​​Where did you earn your undergraduate degree, and what was it in?

Bachelor in Integral Design - ITESO, Guadalajara, México

How did you hear about MCAD?

Search engine

Why did you choose to earn an MA at MCAD?

I chose MCAD because it is one of the few universities in the country that offers a graduate degree in sustainable design focused on graphic, packaging, and product design rather than architecture or engineering.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?

My biggest takeaway is realizing how the program equips us to understand and intentionally shape our own paths within sustainability. Rather than giving us a single definition of what a “sustainable designer” should be, the program offers the tools: systems thinking, critical inquiry, community engagement, and material literacy, to start building our own roadmap. It showed me how design careers can evolve toward sustainability in many different ways, and it’s been inspiring to see how each person in the cohort interprets that journey differently.

Where were you located when you completed the program?

San Diego, CA

What was the online education like?

It was challenging at times and required strong time management skills. While the online format can’t fully replace the in-person classroom experience, it offers the flexibility to continue working while studying and to participate from anywhere in the world.

How has the MA impacted your career/your life?

Working while completing the MA allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time, which directly impacted my career. The program gave me the language, frameworks, and confidence to influence decisions at work and start actively pushing for more sustainable approaches.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life? What advice do you have for others to do the same?

I believe that the personal, small sustainable shifts we make every day have a ripple effect and help set the foundation for bigger change. But more importantly, I think building a strong community, sharing knowledge as a form of collective wealth, pushing for social and environmental reform, and placing the biggest responsibility on those causing the most harm is the real path forward.

My advice to others is to start with the small changes you can manage, stay connected to your community, and remember that sustainability isn’t just an individual effort; it’s something we build together and demand systemically.

What would you tell students considering pursuing an MA degree in Sustainable Design?

I’d tell them that now more than ever, we need people building careers in sustainability. Even when it feels like the world is moving in the opposite direction, this program helps you cut through the noise and understand where you can actually make an impact. It gives you the tools to see the bigger picture, and to figure out how your own skills and interests fit into that landscape.

It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about learning to ask better questions, make informed decisions, and shape a career that aligns with your values while remaining realistic about the challenges ahead.