Olive Price

"More than anything, I attribute my success to the people who came before me. I've been incredibly fortunate to learn from designers whose work constantly challenged my assumptions about what was possible.

One person in particular is Nick Meccia. Nick is an exceptional artist, designer and UX engineer who completely changed the trajectory of my career. He taught me not just the technical side of design, but how to approach the craft with curiosity and a commitment to continual improvement. He gave me confidence at a time when I was still discovering what I was capable of. He challenged me and encouraged me to chase my interests without limiting myself to a single discipline. His mentorship has remained with me ever since, and I still find myself returning to many of the lessons he shared.

I also make a conscious effort to surround myself with great work. Every day, I spend a little bit of time studying designers, artists, filmmakers, architects, game designers, and storytellers whose work inspires me. I think inspiration is something you cultivate. Every piece of work you admire and remember expands your sense of what's possible, and over time that becomes the reservoir you draw from when creating something of your own."

"Assert yourself. You are worthwhile."

"Follow your highest excitement and the rest will follow. Create purely from interest, rather than waiting for permission or being told what to create. If there's something you wish existed in this world, then build it. Your endeavors that carry the most energy are the ones that begin with curiosity, rather than obligation.

The work you choose to create shapes who you become. Every personal project is an opportunity to refine your taste and become the kind of designer you're aspiring to be.

The reality is that this industry is unforgiving for people just starting out, and the path into it is brutal. That's precisely why your imagination is your greatest advantage. You do not need to wait until you get a job to get experience. Create experience yourself. Bring your own ideas into reality. Those projects become your portfolio, your experience, your confidence, and ultimately will be the reason someone wants to hire you.

Trust yourself and observe what continually draws your attention. Also, some visions are better protected than explained. Nurture them in private until they have enough substance to stand on their own."

"I think the greatest challenge in our industry is also its greatest opportunity. The barrier to entry has never been lower, but the standard has never been higher. With so many designers entering the field, simply knowing the tools is no longer enough. What people remember is original thinking, craftsmanship, and a body of work that reflects a genuine point of view.

The designers who stand out are the ones who spend their time creating what they care about. Every project you choose to build becomes another expression of your taste, your problem solving, and your ability to bring an idea into reality. Over time, those creations become your experience long before someone officially gives you a title.

I also think AI is changing the landscape in a meaningful way. Rather than replacing designers, it's raising the value of creativity, judgment, and intentional thinking. The technical side of design is becoming more accessible, which means imagination, taste, and the ability to create experiences that feel distinctly human are becoming even more valuable.

For anyone entering the field today, I believe the opportunity lies in creating the work you wish already existed."

"Craftsmanship is probably the value that shapes my life the most. I've never viewed design as just a career. To me, it's a lifelong craft, something I'll continue refining for the rest of my life. There's always another idea waiting to be brought into the world.

I value creating work that is enduring. I don't want to spend my career simply completing projects. I want to build things that I'm proud of years from now, work that reflects who I was, what I cared about, and the level of intention I brought to it. My hope is that one day I can look back with my children and grandchildren and show them not just what I made, but the care, imagination, and dedication that went into creating it.

I think the quality of what we create is ultimately a reflection of the quality of attention we bring to it. That's something I try to carry with me in both my work and my personal life."