In the male-dominated field of Furniture and Industrial Design, Cameron Morgan and Andrea McFee are two women diversifying what was once a man’s world. They both are participants in the Perennial WoodTM Appalachian Design Studio Project, a collaboration between Fortune 500 Company Eastman Chemical and the Furniture/Industrial Design department. Cameron and Andrea, along with 21 other design students, designed their own pieces of outdoor furniture using Perennial WoodTM. Their designs embody innovation and style with a feminine flair. Read along to find out how Cameron and Andrea stand their ground in a male-dominated field and how they transformed their extra X-chromosome into a major advantage. They are inspiring and creative women finding their place in a man’s world…read along to find out more on their story.
Name: Cameron Morgan (pictured left)
Age: 21
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Major: Industrial Design
Hobbies/Interest: Photography, Painting, Antiques, DIY Projects and Blogging
Name: Andrea McFee (pictured right)
Age: 21
Hometown: Avery County, NC
Major: Industrial Design
Hobbies/Interest: Playing basketball, softball, drawing, painting, hanging out with friends
Q: What initially attracted you to industrial design?
Cameron: I have always known that I wanted to pursue a creative career. I have always been interested in every aspect of design, from architecture, to furniture, to textiles. Industrial design allows me to explore all these aspects. I am able to design basically anything and also am being taught how to create these designs on my own.
Andrea: I have always been an artsy person, and I have always enjoyed designing, so I figured that industrial design would be perfect for me.
Q: Did you ever consider entering another major here at ASU?
Cameron: I knew industrial design would be an extremely difficult and time-consuming major so I did consider other majors that interested me such as journalism and psychology. However, I knew that I was always meant to be in a studio creating things. No matter how hard it may be at some times, I know I am doing what I love and that is the most important thing to me.
Andrea: I started off as an Architectural Design major here at App, but I soon changed my major because it wasn't creative enough for me.
Q: Have you faced any challenges in a male dominated major/field? If so, please explain.
Cameron: I face challenges daily but I have learned to not take things so personal and that it’s important to pick and choose your battles wisely. I am the only female in most of my classes and I often feel like my classmates, and even my teachers, do not take me seriously. However, this only motivates me to work harder and to prove that I am good at what I do. Sometimes when my fellow classmates want to help me, I mistake it for them talking down to me because I am the only girl. I’ve had to learn to put these assumptions aside because to be an equal you have to believe you are one before anyone else can.
Andrea: I have felt a little discriminated against a few times, but I have been fairly comfortable around the guys in my major.
Q: What do you like about being one of few women in your major/field?
Cameron: I like the fact that I do stand out in this major. I just have to make sure I stand out in a good way. When it comes to presentations, I know that people start to pay attention when they hear a loud female voice. And yes, I can be very loud. I always try to speak up whenever there are discussions because I want my voice to be heard. I think its extremely important whenever you are a minority to always have your voice heard.
Andrea: I feel as if I have an upper hand at being remembered and liked as a woman in the field.
