Studio W Spotlight: Sofia Rehn

Sacramento, CA—We’re pleased to introduce Sofia Rehn, Marketing Coordinator at our Sacramento Studio, as this month’s Studio W Spotlight team member. Sofia, a recent graduate from Arizona State University’s graphic information technology program, has been with Studio W for over a year and is the face behind our digital marketing initiatives. She is responsible for our strong social media presence, which includes creating and maintaining content for our website and social media platforms, such as the “Light the Beam” series in 2023. She assists with marketing graphics, including designing Comstock’s ads and attending events like the Capital College & Career Academy’s grand opening ceremony.

Sofia is a huge movie buff and loves adventures with family, friends and her dog, Indie Jo, as much as she loves being cozy on the couch watching The Lord of the Rings or Big Fish. Learn more about Sofia…

 

What is your hometown, or where do you live currently and what do you like about it?

I was born in Stockton, California but raised mostly here in the Sacramento area. Currently, I live in the small town of Loomis, California. I love the small-town vibe and it’s far enough away from the city to be a distance from the hustle and bustle but still close enough to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Loomis has so many great places to keep you entertained and fed, like the Loomis Gastro Pub, Gander Tap House and my personal favorite, High Hand Nursery.

What is your favorite restaurant or food?

I love all types of food, it’s too difficult to choose my favorite! I do a lot of my own cooking at home; steak, veggies and potatoes are my specialty, and if there’s a gathering, I make a charcuterie board. When I want to splurge and not cook for myself, I am eating all types of cuisine; Japanese, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean, to name a few.

What is your favorite song, movie or book?

I tend to circulate through the same few songs and movies. I consider myself a huge movie buff and watch everything! However, I would have to say my top three movies have to be Spirited Away, The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers and Big Fish. The songs on repeat for me at the moment are “Jaded” by Miley Cyrus, “Full Circle” by Movements and “Sunshine Baby” by The Japanese House. I am not much of a reader, but I do enjoy the short story series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz.

Who is your hero or a person that inspires you?

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by strong, independent women in my life, like my mom, sister, nana and close friends. They have all shown me that anything you put your mind to is possible, to love those you surround yourself with, that kindness can get you far in life and taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others. I know in times of need I always have them to fall back on and lift me up.

What is a typical weekend for you?

A typical weekend for me is spent with family, friends and my dog, Indie Jo. I, and those that I surround myself with, love to go thrifting all around Placer County, see our favorite bands which include both of my dad’s bands, Neon Playboys and Summer Night City, or spend the day at home watching movies and being cozy. If there is a circumstance where I can bring Indie with me on a weekend trip or honestly, on any of my other adventures, she is always ready to join me. Our favorite place to travel to is the ocean and there’s nothing better than watching her run on the beach and absolutely love life.

 

How did you find marketing?

I found marketing and graphic design through a life-changing opportunity. There were years when I was unsure which direction I should go when it came to a career in which I would flourish, that was exciting, fast-paced and interesting, until I came across a wonderful opportunity I could not say no to. I was working at Starbucks and they established a program with Arizona State University where they offered a full tuition scholarship when you worked for the company. I looked through the programs they offered and a degree in Graphic Information Technology was everything I was interested in and knew it would only enhance the skills that I already knew I was versed in. Without the scholarship thanks to Starbucks, it would have been difficult for me to put myself through school and I am proud of myself for going through with it.

What is your most memorable project and why?

I would have to say that my most memorable projects are attending ceremonies of completed projects. When I see the excitement and smiling faces of those who get to enjoy the new facility, it gives me a sense of pride and makes me happy. I love that part of my job is to share these exciting moments with our community.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Studio W Architects?

My favorite aspect of working at Studio W Architects is working for an entity whose purpose is to make the lives better of so many. Even if I am not part of the design team, it makes me feel like I am a part of something that will last for generations.

What project have you worked on at Studio W that made you grow the most professionally? Why?

I make everything I work on an opportunity to grow and learn from. For each of my projects, I must have a deep understanding of what’s going on and I do this through my own research and asking my fellow team members for assistance. Not everything I work on can be figured out on my own, so asking for help when I need it is something has helped me grow professionally.

What is a building and/or destination that inspires you and why?

A destination that inspires me is a place that I would love to visit one day, Tokyo, Japan. The mix of ultramodern, neon-lit buildings alongside traditional shrines and temples is fascinating to me and it shows that the past and future can co-exist. The food and its unique pop culture with ties to anime and fashion is an added bonus. A specific place I would like to visit in Tokyo is the Studio Ghibli Museum where original sketches and loads of other exhibits relating to the films are on display. I grew up watching all of the Studio Ghibli films and find the work of Hayao Miyazaki inspiring.