David Maciel: Graphic Design Student on Music, Creativity, and Self-Criticism

David Maciel, a 21-year-old graphic design student at Laguna College of Art and Design from Santa Ana, California, shares personal reflections in an interview with PRINT Magazine. He discusses his creative process, often drawing while listening to Elliott Smith and Sparklehorse. Maciel recalls his first rebellious creative act in kindergarten, stealing a blank booklet to draw. He expresses regret over not adequately expressing feelings to a loved one and copes with heartbreak through Elliott Smith's music. The film "La Bamba" makes him cry. He notes that pride in accomplishments is fleeting, quickly overshadowed by self-criticism. Maciel does not believe in an afterlife but hopes for a movie theater if one exists. He hates his speech impediment, which drew him to design as an alternative communication method, and loves that he is trying his best. His favorite meal is a bean burrito made by his grandmother with a cold Coke.