Daily Bruin Design helped me find my community, stay at UCLA -30-

I never take flyers on Bruin Walk.

Instead, I feel like I’ve perfected saying, “No, sorry” or staring straight ahead when someone extends a flyer in my direction. However, freshman year, about two days before the application deadline, someone extended a Daily Bruin flyer in my direction. I have no idea what came across me to take it, but I did, and, when I scanned the list of hiring sections, I found Design.

During my interview, I remember critiquing the body font of the print paper. I can’t recall why I strongly disliked ITC Century Standard Light at the time, but now I feel a strange fondness for it, as if it has been my friend through years of designing.

Regrettably, I did not become acquainted with that font, or much of the Daily Bruin, as a freshman. After a chaotic COVID-19 year of split time in Los Angeles and Spokane, Washington, I found myself returning for sophomore year to a college of tens of thousands of people, but I had no friends.

I considered transferring schools on dozens of occasions. The University of Washington application tab sat open on my computer for weeks. For something to do outside of classes, I signed up to design the Arts section of the print newspaper with Helen Quach.

That changed everything.

For new people, being in the Daily Bruin office can seem intimidating, but Helen made me feel welcomed and supported instantly – despite the fact that I made mistakes and forgot just about everything I had learned the year before.

She did not know how badly I needed it, but I am so grateful to Helen for giving me a warm introduction to Design. After designing in winter with Maya O’Kelly and in spring with Tyler Cho, I realized I actually wanted to stay at UCLA for the following year.

Junior year, I found family within Design.

If Tyler hadn’t decided to cover my quarter abroad, I wouldn’t have been able to find such a lovely, strong community at the Daily Bruin. For that, I owe him so much.

Returning from abroad to editors who had already been working together was intimidating, but my co-assistant Design directors Mia Tavares and Isabel Rubin-Saika were the first to welcome me back to the Daily Bruin with open arms.

Leaving behind my two years of Design editorship, I am going to miss fixing spacing errors in the paper at 1 a.m. during late runs (seriously) and building connections with the other editors on shift. I’ll miss finding the small alignment issues readers might not even notice. I loved being the last pair of eyes on the paper before it’s sent to print.

Designing collages and spreads for the paper as Design director was incredibly rewarding, but being able to support others in doing the same was even better.

I am so grateful to all of our designers, from interns to crosstrainers to senior staff, for the hard work they’ve put into our paper. Further, I am so grateful to every single Daily Bruin section that has trusted us with their visions or helped us make them come true.

I wish I had the time and space to thank everyone who has made my years at the Daily Bruin so special, but I’m afraid I must use my first and final byline to stick to my roots – my Design family.

To Maya and Helen, thank you for passing down your design wizardry, spending a day with us at Universal Studios and being the kindest welcome to Design I could ever imagine.

To Isabel, thank you for your friendship, joy and leading our designers to make stunning PRIME spreads.

To Shrey Chaganlal and Crystal Tompkins, thank you for being supportive as I figured out what being Design director meant. I am so proud of the work you both have done this year.

To Tyler, thanks for covering for me, laughing at my ridiculous mistakes and helping me become a better designer. Design was so lucky to have you as an editor for three years. You’ve truly made our section – and the Daily Bruin – a better place.

And to Mia, thank you for answering my late-night messages where I doubted my designing ability and for being such an amazing friend. I am so often in awe of your work, and your initiative to take risks has helped the Daily Bruin produce truly powerful things.

If I had not taken that flyer freshman year, life would be so different.

I cannot give enough thanks to Design – and the amazing people at the Daily Bruin – for helping me to not only stay at UCLA but also find such an incredible community here.

Murto was the Design director 2024-2025, an assistant Design director 2023-2024, Design staff 2022-2023 and a Design contributor 2021-2022.