Rina Alfonso Osawa

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Adjunct Professor, MEP+D

MA, Corcoran College of Art & Design
BA, Sophia University

Contact Info

MEP+D

We should be unafraid to venture into uncomfortable spaces and to embrace our discomfort to create truly empathetic and welcoming spaces, physically, cognitively, and emotionally.

Rina Alfonso is an instructor in the Museum Exhibition Planning and Design MFA program, and a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and small business owner.

Biography
Rina Alfonso is founder and creative director of Studio Aorta, Washington, D.C., a boutique, multidisciplinary creative agency and certified women- or minority-owned business enterprise with expertise in exhibit and graphic design. Studio Aorta uses a collaborative, storytelling-first approach which transforms untold stories into unforgettable experiences for clients. Alfonso leads the studio, ensuring that all its work embodies the synergy of narrative, design and art. She is passionate about uplifting marginalized stories and voices through thoughtful and artistic design.

Experience
Prior to Studio Aorta, Alfonso has worked as:

  • an exhibition and graphic designer at The Design Minds in Philadelphia;
  • a museum exhibition designer at Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C.;
  • an environmental graphic designer, CannonDesign;
  • and an exhibition and graphic designer for Howard + Revis Design in Washington, D.C.

Visit Studio Aorta’s website.
Follow Studio Aorta on Instagram: @studioaorta
View Rina Alfonso’s LinkedIn profile.
View Studio Aorta’s LinkedIn profile.


Creative/Scholarly/Professional Activity & Achievements in the Past Calendar Year:
Contributor, Change is Required: Preparing for the Post-pandemic Museum, Chapter 38. Rowman and Littlefield, 2022