A community that motivates us: UDA graduate triumphs in New York

María José Ordoñez, a graduate of the Textile and Fashion Design career at our University, is undoubtedly a person who motivates us. At 27, "Joshe," as his friends call him, leads a corporate courier and logistics company in New York called Airpals.  

In an interview for Forbes Ec, María José mentions that Airpals has been operating for a year and has a turnover of around $ 48.000 per month, as well as employing Ecuadorian and Latino people. In 2021, several national and international investors bet on this young company, including Launch, by Jason Calacanis, one of the best-known investors in the industry, who invested and predicted the success of companies such as Uber and Trello. We spoke with María José who answered our questions for Campus.

What did you like the most about the University?

Joshe- The teaching staff, my professors and professors always helped and motivated me to do my best, they opened the doors for me when I proposed projects and they supported me inside and outside of class. Your constructive criticism helped shape my views in the area of ​​design and as a professional. 

Although I had a very good experience during my studies, they did not always make things easy for me. The challenges they imposed on me have been very enriching. Being part of the Faculty of Design was one of the best experiences, I met incredible people from totally different realities than mine. Meeting infinitely creative people who think differently than what I was used to helped me see my career and my profession in a different way. 

Do you remember your favorite subject?

"I don't want to sound good" - says María José with a laugh - "but all the classes had something that I liked. Without a doubt Morphology, Design, Pattern making, History were the classes in which I had the most fun ”.

Why did you choose the Textile and Fashion Design career?

Joshe- I didn't want to study fashion, it scared me. When I started my career, the local industry was very uncertain. Added to this sentiment were the comments of those around me at that time, typical college comments: "You draw ugly", "You are a copycat", "You will not do well" and so on. Culture and art have always been my passion, fashion is part of both. As a cultural expression, I love fashion, but its negative side always bothered me. Pollution, over-consumption, stereotypes etc. The day registration closed, my dad gave me one of those talks that are not forgotten, he proposed a deal to me, at the end of the day he was going to pay for my studies. He asked me to try Textile Design and Fashion, because he considered that I had a clear opinion about the Industry, affinity with crafts and skill in the hands. He told me: "if you don't like something about the Industry then study and get ready so that one day you can change it and make it better." Their arguments convinced me and I signed up. 

Studying this career was one of the best decisions. Creativity is very exhausting and more and more is expected of designers. My training as a designer has mentally prepared me to work on everything I set out to do. Design is not just "drawing cute", design is the art of problem solving and that is exactly what I do today. Solve problems in the Industry. 

When you were in college, what did you want to be, what did you want to work on?

Joshe- I wanted to be everything, I am a very curious person. I have always wanted to work in publishing, in manufacturing, in advertising, in the artisan sector, in research, in education and in technology. I had been working since I was studying at the UDA, having worked from such an early age helped me achieve all my goals. 

Tell us about your early years in NYC and in the fashion industry, what was the most difficult?

Joshe- Don't give up. Each stage has its difficulties, but the most important thing is not to give up. Always in professional and personal life there are going to be problems that will put us to the test. New York is one of the most hostile and wonderful cities in the world, it makes you or it breaks you. Any industry here has its good and bad points, fashion wise it's an amazing place to experiment, the possibilities are endless. I had the opportunity to work for great designers, photographers, stylists, brands and companies. Working with people from different cultures and professions helped me learn a little about everything in a short time. 

What would be the advice that you would give to the young people who are in the University?

Joshe- Don't procrastinate. Don't waste time on activities and with people who don't add value to your lives. Always give more than what is expected, you never know who may be watching your work and your effort. 

Tell us the three things that you consider most important to be successful

• Contribute to your community. The biggest goals are not achieved alone and you will need your people to reach them. 
• Keep an open mind, no one owns the truth.
• Don't limit yourself because you don't know something, if you don't know it, googly and learn, or connect with someone to teach you.