Yandia Miñana Pérez (she/her) was our amazing Brandtern in Fall 2020. A recent graduate of University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez, Yandia specializes in creative strategy and content creation. Yandia geeks out over environmental justice, eco-friendly hacks, vegan recipes, and cocker spaniels. In this interview, Yandia shares her experiences as a creative and working with bombilla.

What is your favorite type of art to make in your free time?

I’ve recently started experimenting with spray paint. I paint meaningful ideas and messages that I want out in the world (always legally). I like to make the designs on my iPad with Procreate. I’ve been getting better, it’s really fun! I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the street art I see around me. Street art in Puerto Rico has evolved throughout the years, since before I was born. It’s a culture within the culture. There are beautiful murals around the island, in different styles, some legal and some illegal. Having the privilege of living in Santurce, the art capital of Puerto Rico, I enjoy walking around and seeing all of the beautiful murals and different graffiti around the city. Knowing how much work went into every piece. However, there is some friction with these artists and what they do because of the fact that a lot of it is considered vandalization.

I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the street art I see around me. Street art in Puerto Rico has evolved throughout the years, since before I was born. It’s a culture within the culture.

Meanwhile, town squares are decorated with Christopher Columbus monuments. The Capitol building is pristine and lit up 24/7, while the communities that have been abandoned by the government are pitch black.

What makes bombilla stand out from other creative workplaces?

I can only speak from my experiences but, I believe Bombilla is unique and ahead of its time. The connections I made at bombilla with outstanding people have been illuminating and inspiring. The openness and understanding from the whole team is something I had never experienced before. Other extracurriculars I’ve been a part of in Puerto Rico have lacked the willingness to innovate, and the empathy and respect that bombilla guarantees its employees and clients. Also, the creatives are so hardworking and genius, they will get the job done right.

The connections I made at bombilla with outstanding people have been illuminating and inspiring.

How has the pandemic affected/changed you/your life?

The first thing that comes to mind is more awareness. Being a recent college graduate, in the 21st century, I’ve developed an informed opinion on a few subjects this past year. I’ve learned so much at working as a brandtern at bombilla. One of the most important realizations I’ve made is how valuing all lives as equal is crucial in our existence in harmony on this planet. So, the pandemic, earthling ed, and a few documentaries made me vegan. Oh! And the pandemic affected my taste buds, to this very day. After getting Covid in September, they haven’t been the same. I read they change over time, so looking forward to that!

...valuing all lives as equal is crucial in our existence in harmony on this planet.

What's the last song you played?

No joke, Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas.

Where would you travel if you could tomorrow?

Costa Rica! I read it has 3% of the world’s wildlife. While having only .07% of the global population.

What advice would you give to someone that’s starting a career in the creative field?

This question was a little bit for my own need to receive advice from the amazing people I got the chance to interview. So, basically the advice I would give is all of the answers they gave.

Shoutout to our 2020 fall intern Yandia Miñana Pérez for conducting all of the interviews in this series -- including her own!