From foundation to formation: Architecture alums challenge traditional paths
Three recent CCA graduates share what inspired them to build meaningful, unconventional careers in design and architecture.
No matter the discipline, students at California College of the Arts pursue their passions and create unique pathways that often lead to unexpected yet rewarding career opportunities. At every turn, diverse practices meet inspiration, and access to the Bay Area’s creative communities provides collaboration and networking opportunities.
The college’s proximity to Silicon Valley and the tech industry has shaped many architecture students who have gone on to work at neighboring firms such as Intuit, Apple, Meta, and Google—or even start their own businesses.
Three recent graduates share what inspired them to build meaningful, unconventional careers in design and architecture.
Samuel Higgwe (MArch 2021)
Samuel Higgwe is an architectural visualizer with experience at Form4 Architecture, FutureForms, and now Tesla, where he works at the intersection of architecture, design, and emerging technologies. Outside of work, he leads independent projects that reimagine how we engage space, memory, and culture through immersive media.
During his time at CCA, Higgwe found that the college’s interdisciplinary offerings inspired his practice and helped him expand his perception of architecture.
“I worked in the wood shop, did some concrete work—a lot of hands-on work,” said Higgwe. “Most architecture schools just have physical models to work with, but CCA is known for its real craftsmanship. That is very unique. I believe architecture is a spectrum rather than a specific field, and this made it possible to do what I’m doing right now. I’m a lot more comfortable not working as a traditional architect.”
Rooted in a belief that architecture is not just a profession but a lens for cultural and creative expression, Higgwe encourages current and future students to embrace nontraditional paths and collaborate across disciplines in today’s rapidly shifting creative landscape.
"What helped me most at CCA wasn’t just the coursework—it was the community. Being surrounded by students from diverse art and design backgrounds allowed me to reimagine what architecture could be,” said Higgwe. “I realized I didn’t have to fit the mold of a traditional architect. Instead, I leaned into my passion for sculptor art, 3D visualization, digital storytelling, and emerging tech. That freedom to specialize, while still grounded in the rigor of architectural training, gave me the confidence to carve my own path."
When asked what advice he would give aspiring architects, Higgwe urges students to think beyond traditional spaces.
“CCA gives you unique tools that can unlock opportunities beyond the obvious. And while school is demanding, I strongly encourage students to gain work experience early. Don’t wait until graduation. Get involved, collaborate across disciplines, and find ways to apply your skills in real-world settings. It makes all the difference in preparing for a tough and competitive job market."
Moon Lou (BFA Interior Design 2020) is now a product designer for a self-driving truck company.
Moon Lou (BFA Interior Design 2020)
As a CCA student, Moon Lou made waves by earning the prestigious Angelo Dongia Foundation Scholarship in 2019. Today, she’s a product designer at Aurora, one of the leading self-driving truck companies, where she designs machine learning tools. On a day-to-day basis, she collaborates with stakeholders across the company to address design challenges from a high-level perspective.
While at CCA, Lou developed a strong foundation in design, building skills she found highly transferable to her work in tech.
“A lot of people transition to tech from an architecture background—it’s such an intense program with solid design skills. Almost all architecture students tend to work fast, focus on details, and design possible outcomes,” said Lou.
For students exploring nontraditional routes, Lou notices many opportunities extend beyond architecture firms to include roles in 3D design, AR/VR, and gaming.
“When I was at CCA, I worked for an architecture firm as an interior designer. After I decided to look for jobs in tech, I realized that some roles push designers to think in 3D,” said Lou. “I feel like my degree in interior design applies well to tech. It is very helpful to have a material architecture background.”
To stay creatively fulfilled, Lou collects inspiration daily from news and social media.
“Ideas that you collected two months ago come into play. Inspirations can come very suddenly on a daily basis; one day they can apply to your daily life,” said Lou.
Blake Hudelson (MArch 2013)
When Blake Hudelson entered CCA’s Architecture program in 2010, he thought he understood design. By the time he graduated in 2013, his entire perspective had shifted.
“I literally saw the world differently,” Hudelson said.
CCA taught him to question everything—from the shape of a door handle to the systems shaping the built environment—and to approach every problem with curiosity and critical thought.
The rigor of the Architecture program helped him develop entrepreneurial skills that would later define his career: building prototypes, pitching ideas, and communicating complex concepts clearly.
“It doesn’t matter how good your ideas are if you can’t explain them clearly,” he said.
Being taught by practicing professionals kept him close to the cutting edge of design and technology, while the cross-disciplinary energy on campus fueled his creativity.
Inspired by the innovative companies surrounding CCA, Hudelson realized his architectural training—rooted in rapid learning, prototyping, and systems thinking—was perfectly suited for tech. After graduating, he designed and built products for top companies such as Google, Adidas, and even the U.S. Department of Defense before he co-founded Boompop, a travel and events platform for companies nationwide.
Hudelson continues to give back to the CCA community as an adjunct professor in the Master of Interaction Design and Industrial Design programs, where he teaches Form, a graduate course guiding students from concept to product launch.
“It’s an amazing headspace switch from startup life,” Hudelson said. “I get to work with curious, ambitious students—some of whom have gone on to start real companies.”
He also met his wife, Leona—a fellow Architecture alum who now leads teams at Netflix—at the former A2 Café on campus.
For current and future students of the college, Hudelson encourages everyone to keep an open mind.
“You’re graduating at a time when new jobs are being created every year. If you have the foundation to think critically and communicate your ideas, the possibilities are endless.”
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