Pictured above: Leila Brannan, Woodland, CA’s hometown hero. Also included is Leila’s amazing linocut that we feel is pretty self explanatory.

CCB’s secret weapon has always been the amazing students who spend time with us, be it for a few years or a few months. This summer we’ve been lucky enough to have our latest intern, Leila Brannan, as a (semi) new addition to the team! Here’s a few quick facts about Leila:

University and grade: UC Berkeley, Senior 

Hometown: Woodland, CA 

Major: Architecture, Spanish literature minor 

Professional Aspiration: My hope is to facilitate the production of equitable and sustainable design within the built environment. Whether that be through design or advocacy, I want to make space for underrepresented communities to feel safe and at home. 

Favorite movie, currently: I would have to say Everything Everywhere All at Once. The pace of this movie is fast enough to keep me in my seat and had me laughing and crying—at the same time! There are only a handful of movies in Hollywood starring Asian actors, so this movie means a lot.  

Something Leila is better at than most people: I have a passion for fashion! I learned to sew when I was younger by making clothes for my Barbies. I’m now the keeper of the family sewing machine and alter clothes for myself and my friends. It brings me immense joy to be able to thrift clothes and make them a perfect fit or give old clothes a new life. 

What Leila’s working on at CCB: I am thrilled to be working at CCB as a Research and Communications Intern! I’m excited to help the team research and how these findings will shape my own policy-conscious design. Additionally, I have a background in community centered relief printing, and I am looking forward to how this medium can make information more accessible to the masses; as well as how CCB can be shared through social media.  

The impact Leila wants to make in the world: While the future remains unclear, I know that I want to design for community needs. I have a strong interest in designing affordable housing and believe that homes should not only be accessible, but enjoyable for the people who reside there.