ALUMNA ARTIST AND DESIGNER REBECA MÉNDEZ BREAKS BOUNDARIES

Walking around her 1937 Richard Neutra-designed apartment in L.A.’s Westwood hills, interdisciplinary artist, designer, teacher and ArtCenter alumna Rebeca Méndez (BFA 84 Graphic Design, MFA 97 Media Design Practices) is a flurry of energy.

Amid her many plants and collection of Mexican art, she points to a photo of former First Lady Michelle Obama presenting her with the National Design Award in 2012, and smiles. “I had practiced saying, ‘First Lady.’ Instead, I extend my hands and go, ‘Michelle!’” says Méndez, a 2017 AIGA medalist.