For graphic designer Gabriel Ramos, a Graphic Design major, this year’s ArtWalk presentation at MICA is more than a showcase of technical growth — it’s a deeply personal tribute to family, heritage, and the enduring strength of the Salvadoran people.

Born to parents who emigrated from El Salvador, Ramos reflects on the country’s complex history as a foundation for his work. “El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America,” he explains. “Its history is shaped by colonization, inequality, and conflict.” The 12-year Salvadoran civil war, which claimed more than 75,000 lives and displaced more than a million people, is not a distant story for Ramos — it’s part of his family’s journey.

Visiting El Salvador in recent years opened his eyes to the country his parents left behind. “My family has always been the core of who I am,” he says. “As I developed my thesis, I kept reflecting on moments with them. That sense of connection and identity inspired everything.” His ArtWalk project draws on these reflections to honor his father’s experience and the broader story of resilience among Salvadoran immigrants.

Ramos’s design practice has evolved alongside his personal growth since graduating from high school in 2019. “This piece reflects how I’ve matured — not just as a designer, but as a person,” he shares. “I’ve learned to look back at the past as a guide for shaping my future.” This theme, “using the past for the future,” became central to both his creative process and the final work.

The MICA community, he says, played a vital role. Support from professors and peers helped him shape a project that is both visually impactful and emotionally grounded. “I had moments where I felt stuck,” he recalls, “but my experiences — and the people around me — helped me move forward.”

Presenting the work publicly, especially one rooted in family and historical trauma, is both rewarding and daunting. “It’s nerve-racking,” Ramos admits, “but it’s important. I wanted to tell my father’s story in a way that honors him and resonates with others.”

His ArtWalk piece stands as a powerful testament to generational strength, cultural memory, and the transformative power of design.