Ellie Muncy, Planning
Where are you from?
I’m from Castle Rock, Colorado.
What inspired your decision to come to Environmental Design at CU Boulder?
I was inspired by the unique setup of the Environmental Design program where I was able to learn about architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, and product design at the same time without losing time during my college journey. As someone who was interested in both urban planning and architecture, it was a great opportunity to learn about both.
Did you know right away that you wanted to major in sustainable planning and urban design? How/when did you know?
I did not know right away that I wanted to major in urban planning, I was actually torn between urban planning and architecture. I ended up deciding during my pick two semesters, so sophomore year in the spring. I was really frustrated in my architecture studio when I was trying to come up with a design and then I found my urban planning studio really interesting and fun.
Do you have a favorite project that you're currently working on/have worked on in the past?
My favorite project that I've worked on so far was my work during my study abroad Global Seminar in Colombia. We were there for 6 weeks and during that time we worked with a community there to design and build something for them. My group ended up designing a new concrete staircase for them to help with accessibility, as well as a railing design that they might use later. While it was a fairly simple design, the process of getting to the final design with lots of community input and then the actual construction of the final design was very rewarding.
What has the program taught you about yourself as you’ve taken on your educational career?
This program has taught me that design ideas don't always come easy. Sometimes you know what you want to do off the bat, but a lot of times you don't, and you'll need to spend time ideating to come up with something that works well. It's also taught me a lot of discipline. Studio deadlines can be fast and kind of brutal, especially because many elements build on each other so you must manage your time well to make sure you have your project elements done on time.
What would you like to do upon graduating from Environmental Design?
My goal after graduating Environmental Design is to travel and gain experience. I really want to move to Copenhagen this summer and work at an urban planning firm called Gehl, where I can explore the city and work with an amazing firm.
What tips or advice would you give to future design students?
Some advice I would give to future design students is that some design aspects and understanding of software comes easy but some of it is a learning curve. Once you get the hang of it, I promise it will get easier. I remember looking at senior-level work as a freshman, or even looking at some of my fellow classmates' work and thinking I will never be able to do that. But you'll learn how, and you'll be impressed with how much your work improves each year. The Environmental Design program is a ton of fun and a great opportunity. So, stick with it, have fun, manage your files well, and try not to pull all-nighters.