California Baptist University

THE WORLD ' S A STAGE Dirksen and Andra adjust the backdrops for one of their many projects. Experiential pieces like these are one of The Shift Creative’s many specialties.

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS Andra and Dirksen smile in the studio where they build their pieces.

M any California Baptist University students partner with experienced alumni who strive to help them achieve success in their desired field. One such student is senior graphic design major Ashley Dirksen, who chose alumna Alexis Andra as a mentor. Andra is the owner and principle designer of The Shift Creative, a full service creative design com pany that drafts and creates art installations based in Riverside. She graduated from CBU in 2013 and says her degree in Behavioral Science helps her to relate to her clientele, which has included Kylie Jenner and the streaming service Hulu. Andra hires new interns every six months to help her with creating and executing designs, which is how Dirksen met her. Since interning for Andra, Dirksen has become The Shift Creative’s art installation coordinator and Andra’s right-hand woman. She works on graphic design, social media and execution, though she says she specifically loves creating interactive installa tions. “For example, we did an upside-down room and a light up room for a Create and Cultivate event,” Dirksen says. “One of my favorites was definitely a butterfly room with a swing in it for Kylie Jenner’s daughter.”

Dirksen says Andra’s mentorship has helped her grow in her work ethic. “It has been a really great experience,” Dirksen says. “I have learned so much both creatively and spiritually by being part of The Shift Creative team, and Alexis has become a really close mentor fig ure and friend of mine. Working for her has been a huge blessing and given me so many awesome and unique opportunities,” Dirksen says. Along with work ethic, Dirksen says Andra’s discipleship has helped strengthen her faith, because Andra tries to rely on God in a field that could easily be based in worldly success. “I try to incorporate prayer into everything — be fore a business call, during an installation, with my team and when met with disappointment,” Andra says. “This industry can be tricky to navigate. It is easy to get caught up in the things of this world so keeping a secure line to God is so important.” Together, they have been able to combine minis try and work into one by helping churches to create virtual backdrops. After graduation, Dirksen aspires to work in the graphic design industry and says she believes her time working for The Shift Creative will make her ambitions possible.

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WORDS Kelly McKittrick

PHOTOS Courtesy of Ashley Dirksen

DESIGN Hannah Lapos

135 Mentoring