"I genuinely enjoy collaborating on design projects. Designers are so creative and unique! As creative types, our opinions can be strong, and design ideas can conflict; however, it is important to respect and be open to other people's ideas. Every time I get to work with another designer, I walk away with so much knowledge and inspiration. Two years ago, I joined a group of local designers and architects building a new and modern public library. There were many moving parts, and because the government was involved, every detail needed to be discussed and collectively decided on with stringent guidelines to follow. There was no room for error on this project. It was a huge challenge not only because of the political and budget-related logistics but also because of the variety of personalities involved. Today, the library is thriving, and it truly is an architectural and design masterpiece the community has embraced. I learned so much about myself as a designer, and I am proud of my contributions to that team."