Who is Risky Biscuit?
Hello! Welcome to my Honors Learning Portfolio. My name is Carolyn Allen. If you know me from UC, you probably know me as Biscuit. This is the page where you can learn a little bit about me and my journey through UC as an honors student.
Some Background:
I attended a small private school in Englewood, Colorado from 2006 to 2013. In 2011, I studied darkroom photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2012, I studied Industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. And in conjunction with my final semester at my high school, I studied industrial design at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. I've worked as a commissioned artist, and have sold some graphic design work to a helmet design company. In the summer of 2013, I began an internship with the History Colorado Center, building and organizing exhibits throughout the museum. In short, I'm passionate about art and design.
A Quick Summary of My Time at UC:
I'm also very involved in my community. During my freshman year at the University of Cincinnati I was the multicultural resident's committee chair of Daniels Residence Hall, a board member of Community Commissions, and a mentor to a fourth grade student. I was on the Dean's list both semesters, and I accepted my invitation into the University Honors Program. During the summer of 2014, I was a student orientation leader - responsible for running orientation for over 4,500 incoming freshmen with 29 other UC students. We were chosen from a pool of 114 applicants, spent multiple weeks doing interviews, and began our training in late April.
For my Sophomore year, I completed my first semester as a Resident Advisor in Daniels Residence Hall for 72 residents. I also began working as the undergraduate student worker in the LGBTQ center on campus. This year I also began my first co-op as the design intern for footwear and accessories at Lands' End in New York City. In addition to living and working in NYC, I continued my service to the community by getting involved with Habitat for Humanity and the David B. Skinner Homeless Shelter at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Upon my return to campus, summer 2015, I finished up my sophomore year and created my own line of 3D printed jewelry.
My second co-op was spent in Toronto with Statum Designs. I was the first student from the University of Cincinnati to participate in the Academic Internship Council Toronto Experience. During the spring semester, I was in the maker studio focused on Storage. At the end of the semester, we were tasked with creating at least 15 replicas of our product to sell at the pop up shop, and by day two, all 40 of mine had been sold.
For my third co-op, I worked at Wolverine WorldWide, specifically doing color and materials for Merrell. I spent my summer living and working in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During my fall semester back at UC, I moved into a new apartment, adopted a rabbit, and went skydiving and bungee jumping for the first time. Needless to say, it was a big semester for personal growth.
For my fourth co-op, I moved back to Colorado and worked at Hexhead designs, a small consultancy mostly focusing on soft goods and backpack design - which has been something I've wanted to do for a few years now. I also took my first solo trip to Europe for two weeks - traveling to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
My fifth co-op was spent at Deckers Outdoor Corporation, and I worked on the innovation team - designing gear, apparel, and footwear. I'm now back on campus, working on my senior capstone. I'm designing gear for heli-skiers - including two packs, a technical jacket, and an avalanche beacon harness.
Some Background:
I attended a small private school in Englewood, Colorado from 2006 to 2013. In 2011, I studied darkroom photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2012, I studied Industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. And in conjunction with my final semester at my high school, I studied industrial design at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. I've worked as a commissioned artist, and have sold some graphic design work to a helmet design company. In the summer of 2013, I began an internship with the History Colorado Center, building and organizing exhibits throughout the museum. In short, I'm passionate about art and design.
A Quick Summary of My Time at UC:
I'm also very involved in my community. During my freshman year at the University of Cincinnati I was the multicultural resident's committee chair of Daniels Residence Hall, a board member of Community Commissions, and a mentor to a fourth grade student. I was on the Dean's list both semesters, and I accepted my invitation into the University Honors Program. During the summer of 2014, I was a student orientation leader - responsible for running orientation for over 4,500 incoming freshmen with 29 other UC students. We were chosen from a pool of 114 applicants, spent multiple weeks doing interviews, and began our training in late April.
For my Sophomore year, I completed my first semester as a Resident Advisor in Daniels Residence Hall for 72 residents. I also began working as the undergraduate student worker in the LGBTQ center on campus. This year I also began my first co-op as the design intern for footwear and accessories at Lands' End in New York City. In addition to living and working in NYC, I continued my service to the community by getting involved with Habitat for Humanity and the David B. Skinner Homeless Shelter at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Upon my return to campus, summer 2015, I finished up my sophomore year and created my own line of 3D printed jewelry.
My second co-op was spent in Toronto with Statum Designs. I was the first student from the University of Cincinnati to participate in the Academic Internship Council Toronto Experience. During the spring semester, I was in the maker studio focused on Storage. At the end of the semester, we were tasked with creating at least 15 replicas of our product to sell at the pop up shop, and by day two, all 40 of mine had been sold.
For my third co-op, I worked at Wolverine WorldWide, specifically doing color and materials for Merrell. I spent my summer living and working in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During my fall semester back at UC, I moved into a new apartment, adopted a rabbit, and went skydiving and bungee jumping for the first time. Needless to say, it was a big semester for personal growth.
For my fourth co-op, I moved back to Colorado and worked at Hexhead designs, a small consultancy mostly focusing on soft goods and backpack design - which has been something I've wanted to do for a few years now. I also took my first solo trip to Europe for two weeks - traveling to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
My fifth co-op was spent at Deckers Outdoor Corporation, and I worked on the innovation team - designing gear, apparel, and footwear. I'm now back on campus, working on my senior capstone. I'm designing gear for heli-skiers - including two packs, a technical jacket, and an avalanche beacon harness.