2026/27 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Lina Garcia

How/why did you choose your area of study?

After taking Chris Trifilio's 2D Drawing for 3D course, I became curious of what it meant to be an industrial designer. The process of prototyping and working with my hands drew me in. It's a great balance between playing in imagination and being challenged through the problem solving of function.

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

The piece I submitted for merits are a collection of concept drawings

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

MCAD seemed like the perfect fit being in a smaller city of Minneapolis

What's next for your practice? Anything you're really excited to make?

Getting better at Product design and problem solving is really exciting.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

Having that sense of independence and freedom to explore whatever it is that peaks your interest.

What inspires your creative self?

The people around me always inspire me. Whether it be for artistic inspiration, new music taste. Being outside also helps my creativity flourish.

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?

Scraps of fabric that I made into a mini blue coat.

Lastly, do you have a favorite question we didn't ask? Tell us and answer it!

Dream dog: a Doberman