We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaitlyn Quitiquit a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaitlyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Back in 2021, I had the opportunity to help design a restaurant bar, Hey X Youth, for my cousin, Iconn Cayabyab, in our family’s province in the Philippines. Located in Dagupan, Pangasinan, his goal was not only to host a safe space for Pangasinan’s young generation of creatives to express themselves but to build communities and forge relationships with other small businesses. I admire my cousin’s resilience and drive to keep the creative scene alive in a small province where most artists aren’t receiving the recognition they deserve.

On a trip in 2022, I was able to see my family for the first time in 10 years and visit the bar. Stepping foot into the space I designed for the first time was a surreal moment. Witnessing friends and family enjoy the space and engage with the design elements brought a deep sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating an atmosphere that enhanced people’s experiences. Knowing that I played a role in shaping that environment, where people could gather, socialize, and create memories, was truly fulfilling.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Filipina-American Spatial Designer and Digital Artist based in Los Angeles, California. I build and model on Revit & SketchUp, then render through Enscape 3D. I’ve had experience creating renderings for high-end residential and commercial projects for designers all over LA, and am currently a Technical Designer for Los Angeles based interior design firm, Mandy Cheng Design.

I was drawn to interior design because I saw it as an intersection between architecture and graphic design. It’s not just about creating aesthetically pleasing spaces; it’s about crafting environments that are both functional and visually compelling. Similar to architecture, interior design involves understanding the spatial dynamics and ensuring that every element serves a purpose.

I attended The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Downtown Los Angeles and fell in love with the computer graphics aspect of the field and have been a digital artist and designer ever since. By building out 3-dimensional models of the space as realistic as possible, I love that I have the ability to help clients visualize certain materials and furniture before they commit and get a better understanding of what the project could look like. It’s also always rewarding to see the renderings come to life in the final design. As much as I love creating things digitally, I have goals to build my portfolio by designing and manufacturing my own furniture and eventually growing my own full service interior design firm. Moving forward, I want to continue to embrace my Filipino-American heritage and incorporate more of my culture in my future work.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to help people bring their visions to life is the most rewarding part of the creative process. It’s also reassuring to see that something I’m passionate about can affect people and their lives. To hear that I can inspire people is one of the best compliments to receive – and I hope to continue to do so moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kaitlynquitiquit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellaquiti/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitquit