Calvin is a graphic designer, somewhat by accident. From a young age he knew that art had an important place in his life, only to then discover one of its possible outlets—design—as a field to pursue. Now living in New York, Calvin is inspired by what makes something “beautiful,” and how that can coexist with a function. This can mean anything from visual storytelling to the way a material can change the entire perception of a physical product. Not limited by media, his interests span digital design to print media, 3D software, and animation. Calvin joins Seed to help communicate the intricacies and wonder of science through design as a language. Outside of design, you can likely find Calvin cooking, out getting a coffee, running in Prospect Park, taking iPhone photos of random objects on the street, or just plain doom-scrolling on Instagram.

In conversation with Calvin:

What was your first brush with science?  Science fair: does music affect plant growth? (It didn’t)

Why do you think bacteria are important? I mean, how insane is it to realize that you’re composed partly by trillions of these invisible, living organisms?

How do you define science? Painting a full picture of existence in the Universe.

How do you define health? Balance.

What are you currently reading / listening / watching? (microbiome-related, ideally) I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong, Never on Mute by Seed, and—shamefully—endless YouTube rabbit holes.

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food? Kimchi.

Scientist, dead or alive, you'd like to eat with? Galileo.

Microbiome perturbation you're trying to give up. Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp.

Favorite science joke or best mindgasm fact? Deep sea aquatic life is a mindgasm of its own!

One fact most people don't know about you: I once took a selfie with Tim Cook with a cracked iPhone, which he then suggested I get fixed. Thanks, Tim Apple.