From Graphite to Systems: My Journey as a Designer
From a young age, I always had a feeling that design would play a major role in my life. Now, after nine years of professional experience, I can confidently say that it has. Over the years, my creative journey has evolved: from sketching graphite drawings and charcoal portraits to experimenting with multimedia designs, playful watercolors, photo-manipulated dreamscapes, videography, photography, and digital design. I’ve explored web design, branding, and corporate design, and now, I’m focused on designing systems that improve workflow, team efficiency, and documentation.
Reflecting on this journey, I've learned a few key lessons, and now I’m thinking about where this path is leading me next.
What Has Trying All These Things Taught Me?
Over the years, I’ve embraced failure and uncertainty, and that’s where most of my growth has come from. Exploring different mediums and roles has taught me several important lessons:
Don’t be afraid to start – It's a cliché for a reason. You’ll miss out on so much learning if fear holds you back. I started plenty of things that intimidated me, but allowing myself to be bad at something gave me invaluable hands-on experience. There’s no better teacher than first-hand experience.
Comparison is the thief of joy – I’ve learned not to compare myself to others. It’s not worth losing my joy over what someone else is doing. I may not be the best at everything, but I’m far ahead of the person who never tries. This shift in mindset has been liberating.
Clarity comes from trying – Experimenting with different creative outlets showed me what I truly enjoy and what’s best left as a hobby. While design remains a huge part of my life, I now know it’s only one slice of the pie. Over time, my priorities and interests have become clearer, especially now that I’m 30, and life has shifted in many ways. Meeting the love of my life, Vivian has expanded my perspective, and I’ve grown more intentional about what matters to me. Change is constant, and that’s something I’ve come to embrace.
Where Am I Headed? What Do I Want to Explore Next?
Design will always be at the core of who I am, but I’m no longer focused solely on the visual. I’ve found a passion for designing systems and processes that solve deeper, structural problems within businesses. There’s a massive need for better documentation and workflows, especially in today’s digital age. As someone who thrives on efficiency and simplicity, I aim to create processes that strip away unnecessary elements, leaving behind only what’s essential.
At the same time, I’ve noticed a significant gap in effective leadership. Unfortunately, I’ve seen more poor leadership than good. Leadership is about influence, not titles, and many people haven’t realized the impact they could have. Having been fortunate enough to work with excellent leaders, I want to help others develop true leadership skills—not just in the workplace but in all aspects of life. There’s a real opportunity to shape the future of leadership by helping people build a clear path to leading well. This is an area I’m passionate about exploring as I continue my journey.
Looking forward, my goal is to combine my love of design with my desire to create meaningful, impactful change. Whether it's designing efficient systems that streamline workflows or helping shape the leaders of tomorrow, I’m excited to continue exploring these paths. Life is a constant evolution, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes next—fearlessly, with curiosity and a desire to grow.
