Ananda Ray, BFA Digital Arts ’24, made her mark as a student at Pratt with works that leveraged cutting-edge technology to preserve and celebrate Black culture, including an augmented reality installation reflecting on Black women’s leadership in activism and an AI-powered sculpture. In this Q&A, she shares her journey from graduation to her current role as an associate creative technologist at the Michigan-based advertising agency Doner.
Can you tell us about your current role and what a typical day looks like for you?
The role is still very fresh, and honestly, no two days are alike. I recently worked on a campaign with The UPS Store and created a few of the UI screens and an interactive site for their holiday ad titled “Verify You Are Human.” It was a great opportunity to see my work out in the real world.
I’ve also done projects involving 3D modeling and motion capture, and had the chance to help my team win a new client.
What I find most exciting is the opportunity to explore new pathways in emerging tech and collaborate with my team, which I hope will lead to a more adaptable skill set for myself in the future.
Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your Pratt education?
All my classes opened different avenues for my thinking, both as an artist and as a professional. But I think the best part about Pratt was the community and the people I met. They made me a better artist and made me curious to keep learning.
What’s a professional skill you developed at Pratt that you rely on today?
Adaptability and creative problem-solving are two skills I’ve been honing because one of the great things about my job is that I never know what project will be handed to me next. My background in interactive arts helped me develop these skills further, especially when showing work publicly.
Can you tell us about a particularly difficult professional challenge you’ve faced?
Applying for jobs in my first year post-grad was tough. There was a lot of ghosting, and finding the motivation to stay creative was challenging as well. But having patience and leaning on my support system helped me push through. After moving back to Detroit without easy access to New York City events, I leaned on The Black Alumni of Pratt and a few mentors and colleagues from the Digital Arts Department.
Then, on a whim, I submitted a video to an internship program called BLAC (Building Leaders and Creators). They matched me with Doner after the team saw my work, and I went through an interview process from there. It turned into the best 12 weeks of growth. I learned a ton about advertising and met some amazing people.
Has there been a point in your career where you’ve had to consciously pivot?
I pivoted from art into advertising, and it ended up being a great fit. It was about figuring out how I could apply my art background to a role as a creative technologist in advertising. I had the skills; they just needed to be applied differently.
What advice would you give to a student about making a creative career a reality?
Be patient and stay open. If I could go back, I would let myself breathe and understand that sometimes it’s not you; it’s the market or the timing. Eventually, something will stick and a door will open. You just have to be ready to walk through it when it does. Be ready to pivot, but don’t give up.
