Alumna Maegan Clawges '15 is a creative force at Google, YouTube

The founder of Pearl Hacks used her background in computer science and graphic design to become YouTube's first creative engineer.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Maegan Clawges '15, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, balanced majors in computer science and graphic design at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she also founded the inclusive hackathon Pearl Hacks. After graduating, Clawges joined YouTube as the company's first creative engineer, leading projects to evolve the brand's identity. She has since moved to Google Search, where she is working to integrate AI capabilities into traditional search results.

Why it matters

Clawges' story highlights the value of interdisciplinary education and the power of building supportive communities, especially for those who may feel like outsiders in the tech industry. Her career trajectory also underscores the rapid evolution of the tech landscape, where skills like prototyping and learning new tools are increasingly essential.

The details

As an undergraduate, Clawges founded Pearl Hacks, a hackathon focused on inclusivity, creativity, and mentorship. After joining YouTube's art department as the first creative engineer, she led projects to evolve the company's brand identity, including color palettes, algorithms, logos, and iconography. Clawges then moved to the Google Search team, where she is working to incorporate AI capabilities into traditional search results.

  • Clawges founded Pearl Hacks as an undergraduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Clawges joined YouTube as the company's first creative engineer after graduating in 2015.
  • Clawges recently moved to the Google Search team, where she is working on integrating AI into search results.

The players

Maegan Clawges

A UNC-Chapel Hill alumna who majored in computer science and graphic design, founded the inclusive hackathon Pearl Hacks, and is now a creative force at Google and YouTube.

Geoffrey Bell

A UNC professor who recommended that Clawges study computer science alongside graphic design, ultimately shaping the trajectory of her career.

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What they’re saying

“Carolina professor Geoffrey Bell first recommended that I study computer science alongside graphic design. I took Bell's introductory environmental science course because I love nature and wasn't fond of chemistry. That class was tough, so I went to office hours a lot. Through office hours, he got to know me and how I approach problem solving. He pointed me toward coding, forever changing the trajectory of my career.”

— Maegan Clawges (unc.edu)

“Google Search is on the cutting edge of consumer-facing AI products. Incorporating AI capabilities into Google's traditional search results is a paradigm shift, and I'm looking at how our visual design strategy might adapt to support this product evolution.”

— Maegan Clawges (unc.edu)

What’s next

As Pearl Hacks celebrates its 12th anniversary, Clawges continues to shape the future of technology at Google, where she is working to integrate AI into traditional search results.

The takeaway

Clawges' story demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary education and the power of building inclusive communities in the tech industry. Her career trajectory also highlights the rapid evolution of the tech landscape, where adaptability and a willingness to learn new skills are increasingly essential.