Because this time in quarantine has given me the hours I need to and create with my hands and delve into new mediums, I have learned to value exploration within art and design. Taking my eyes off my screen and getting messy with clay has provided me with a such-needed break from my digital work, and I’ve found that this curiosity outside my usual practice sparks new thinking within my design work. Passionfruit encourages me to play and create more—something I will continue throughout my lifetime.

During such an unfamiliar time, Passionfruit pushes students to create in new ways, while also learning the constraints of an online pop-up shop. With this platform, students are given the space to reflect on COVID’s effect on their curiosity and creativity; although this time affects us all differently, Passionfruit encourages and connects students in their persistence to create.

Staying creative in social isolation is so dang hard; without a physical studio and constant collaboration and critique from my design peers, I constantly find my creativity at a stand-still. I’ve developed new daily rhythms that give me the space to be inspired and motivated to create. I get dressed in the morning, make myself a strong cup of coffee, and plan out my schedule for the day—one that allows ample time for messing around in my makeshift home studio. It’s during those hours that I get lost in the creative flow, and find myself producing some of my best work.