Downe Girl - Victoria Nishikawa

Victoria Nishikawa is a self-described island born country girl. The 23 year old graphic designer / UI designer originally grew up on the North Shore of Oahu and now currently lives in Los Angeles. She recently chatted with DowneTowne to discuss her creative outlets as a child, growing up as a lesbian in Hawaii, and what she misses most about home.

Check out her website at: http://vixxdesign.com/

[DT] When did you move to LA? Why did you decide to move?

[VN] As much as I love home, I was one of those kids who knew I would leave the island to pursue my dreams, encounter the unexpected and see how I can cope with living on my own. In summer  of 2006, I moved to LA to study graphic design at The Art Institute in Santa Monica.

[DT] What made you decide to go into design? Do you prefer working with print or design media?

[VN] I think the creative gene was passed on to me by my mom and grandma. I remember drawing on everything, my shoes, clothes, my bedroom walls (which my mom wasn't too happy about). Experimenting with foreign objects was interesting to me. I'd grab a magnify glass and crayon, bring it outside and melt that crayon. It was so interesting to watch the crayon melt. I loved science and I loved art. Design is where science and art meet.

I love working with both mediums of print and design media. There is such a beauty in working with paper. The feeling of turning a page or flipping a postcard with letter pressed typography is still a keepsake. Currently my design has evolved. Now that there is such a demand for interactive materials such as the web, phone apps and viral videos, my workload has changed and I love it.

[DT] How do you keep current? Any favorite magazines/sites/etc?

[VN] A list of sites to bookmark:

http://www.good.is/
http://www.behance.net/
http://www.fastcodesign.com/
http://monocle.com/

[DT] Do you still draw/paint/etc. or do you mainly express yourself creatively through design now?

[VN] Creative ideas doesn't come just the computer. I carry a sketchbook with me time to time. Whenever working on a project or if I just feel like drawing circles it something great to have in hand. Also, once in a while I'll have the urge to bust out my paintbrushes.

[DT] What else do you like to do in your free time?

[VN] During my free time I enjoy being outdoors, somewhere in the mountains, desert, or ocean. Let's not forget, I love to party to! I live by three things: Art, Sex & Food.  =)

[DT]What was it like growing up as a lesbian in Hawaii?

[VN] For me coming out in Hawaii wasn't too hard. I was around 16 when I pretty much announced to myself that I liked girls. My classmates in school found out, people really didn't care too much. Although I was the only announced lesbian in my school. Mostly the guys were very interested in my lifestyle. I'm sure they got a kick out of my stories. As for my family, it was a shaking start. My mom came up to me one night and bluntly ask me if one of my girl friends was more than a "friend." I was in complete shock, but told her the truth that I was dating her. After the crying and long talks my mom and dad told me they love me for who I am, even though I know my mom thought it was just a phase. Since then I've just grown to be gayer and gayer. No matter what my parents accept lifestyle and it feels great to have them so accepting. On top of that my mom came to visit me in LA, and I took her out to Truckstop (a lesbian night in West Hollywood) and she had a blast. Girls bought her drinks and she was just everywhere. I swear my mom must have partied harder than me that night. I still laugh about that night.

[DT] What do you like about being in LA?  

[VN] Everyone is from everywhere else. They all come to LA to "make it big," so you you meet a diverse about of people here. Each day I meet someone new. It's a great place to network if you're working in the creative industry.

[DT] Do you notice any differences between LGBT culture/acceptance in Hawaii and LA? Any experiences you'd like to share?

[VN] It's such an Asian culture in Hawaii. It's all about family. It's the process of going to school, finding a nice guy or girl, getting married, and having kids. Being part of the LGBT community isn't something parents/ family seem too familiar with yet. In LA I've only really experienced the LGBT scene in West Hollywood. Also, since I work in such creative environments I find so many gays and lesbians. It's really open here. It's probably because in LA everyone is from everywhere else, and they come to LA to make it big. Since many of their family isn't here they go out and really they can just be themselves. The idea that LA is a lot bigger than Hawaii makes being open a lot easier.

[VN] There are so many things I miss about home. All my family is back home and I most definitely miss my grandpa's home cooking. Waking up to blue skies, green grass, Ono grinds and the best Ohana...nothing can beat that. Home will always be home and maybe one day I'll go back for good, but for right now I'm just living it up all over the place.