Satement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose

RICHA UPPAL

"Art is a form of problem-solving," my high school art teacher said. "But unlike math, in art there is never a single correct solution." He aimed his pencil toward the class, pointing at each student in turn. "Each one of us has a chance to create solutions." My interest in art and design has continued to grow since then. Design is a means of visually portraying a particular message and the goal of the design is to be the best solution. Thus, the intention of a designer is to be the best problem-solver. Similarly, I want to create art in any form to grab attention and convey a message by combining images and words. In my Master’s program, I want to reinvigorate my passion for advertising and further develop the areas in which I have had experience with. I am eager to cross borders and branch out into other facets of advertising and forecasting.

In writing my personal statement, I have come to find that the entire process is actually a process of introspection and summarizing, and conducting deep reflections on the course of my life over the past ten years. In the high school, I accidentally came across a book about mass media: ‘The Confessions of an Advertising Man’ by David Ogilvy that triggered my vague interest in advertising. In retrospect, it was precisely this vague notion that developed into a strong desire, an unshakable ideal that I am determined to pursue with lifelong dedication. But when I succeeded in my National Institute of Fashion Technology, exam, I started loving art and fashion, and creativity and imagination became natural extensions of my enthusiasm. Inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun is what creativity to me, and my imagination became the beginning of any creation. This was the first opportunity that I missed.

After graduating from my college, I was recruited by an export house in India as a garment designer. Even though my distinguished...