new editor interviews: issue 1

arushi rathod: design co-director of 2025-26

with the fall 2025 semester now in full swing, we are jumping out of our socks to introduce our new Coulture editors for the 2025-26 school year. first, we interviewed arushi rathod, co-director of design with nora lyons. read below to learn more about arushi and get excited for her work as a design director!

1. The basics
My name is Arushi Rathod, and I am the Design Co-Editor. This is my third year on staff, my first two years I was a member of the graphic design team.

2. What do you hope Coulture accomplishes this year/what are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about this edition’s spreads. I want to really have fun with layouts by experimenting with space, typography, and color in new ways.

3. Who or what is creatively inspiring you right now? What’s filling your cup?
Right now, I’m very inspired by Lihn Truong. Not only is she incredibly fashionable, but her graphics are playful, artistic, and fresh. I’ve admired her work since high school, and she continues to inspire me today.

4. What’s your go-to when you feel like you’re in a creative rut?
I usually scroll through TikTok for design inspiration and see how people mix and match creative elements. I always revisit Lihn Truong’s page for ideas, and Pinterest is another go-to for exploring the work of other amazing designers.

5. What’s in your bag? What are your essentials?
I always carry my black honey lipstick, a small mini perfume, and strawberry Altoids (they’re so good!).

6. Why did you join Coulture?
I’ve been passionate about graphic design since middle school and earned six Adobe certifications in high school, which only grew my interest. When I came to UNC, I wanted to keep growing that passion, so when I saw that Coulture was accepting applications for graphic design positions, I knew I had to apply.

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thank you for reading and stay tuned for learning about another editor for the year!

viva la mode,

coulture