I am a graphic designer.
We delay our success by not doing what we love to do. I have been stuck in fear and doubt thinking I couldn’t be a graphic designer. I got my bachelor’s degree in Communication and Information Design, where I literally created designs, talk about imposter syndrome. How can I feel like I can’t be something I did for 4 years? Something I earned my degree on? Seems insane but I thought I couldn’t make it happen. I told myself a story for years that wasn’t even true.
After graduating college, I obviously wanted to become a graphic designer. I wanted to work for a company and create designs all day, that was my ideal dream job. After realizing all of the amazing graphic design artists out there, especially in New York City alone, I was terrified. “I can’t be a graphic designer, I’m not even that good.” I would compare myself to amazing graphic designers who have been doing this for years. Thinking I could never get to that status that they were in. That quickly shut off my motivation and I pushed that dream to the side.
Every so often I would share with others how I do graphic design. Immediately I would get a “Oh really, I’d love to see your work.” with me then responding “I don’t have anything to show right now. I haven’t done it in a while.” Or people would say “Really? Can you design something for me?” Which ended up in disappointment, “No, I can’t right now.” Truth is, I wanted to help people. I wanted to help people create their logo, their brand, help them put themselves out there. But I was scared. Scared that the person wouldn’t like what I created, scared of the pressure, scared of not being “good enough.” Not realizing that this is my true purpose.
During this hiatus, I have done work for people close to me. I had a friend push me to create a logo for her and it took me a while. I got it done and I still wasn’t committed. She even helped me land a gig with a now big artist in the music industry, I still wasn't committed. I saw people post on how they’re looking for graphic designers and I passed up opportunities to work with people all because I was scared. All this time, all these years, just looking at my dream from far away.
It took 4, FOUR years! From graduating college until now to finally let that negative voice in my head go away. Of course a lot of things happened during those 4 years. Looking back at it, I had to go through everything I did to get to where I am today. But now I am in a better place mentally, to fully commit to creating designs for others. I can do what I love and be free. I am no longer a victim to the voice in my head.
You can’t be what you want in life if you don’t try. The people who are the best at what they do, had to start somewhere. They didn’t let that voice in their head keep them from their dreams. You shouldn’t either! Don’t let your ego tell you what you’re capable of. Put yourself out there and don’t hesitate to follow your dreams. If you don’t start today because “I’m not ready,” you’ll never be ready for that “one day.” Believe in yourself and you’ll be shocked at the results. As long as you don’t give up and keep going. Someone will feel you. I promise.
Today I can proudly say, “I am a graphic designer and I create visions to life.”
“I am a graphic designer and I create visions to life.”
