Brief little bit about myself: I am a 26 year old graduate of MNSU-Mankato (go mavs!) with a passion for sneakers & design. Based on my experience with freelance design I like working with people who are passionate about what they do because it makes my job fun & satisfying. I enjoy creating something for them and working collaboratively from start to finish to satisfy their vision for a project.

Past.

I have always been intrigued by art and drawn to it since a young age, which is why I believe I have landed in the right niche now as a designer. Some of my earliest influences as an artist came from my grandmother, who was an art teacher and artist. She always exposed me to art and laid the ground work for me now becoming an artist myself. As a kid I was always drawing my favorite company’s logos on my folders and always found myself doodling in the margins of my notebooks. Long before I even knew what the term “graphic design” was, I was always drawn to it like a magnet without even knowing it.

Present.

Being creative everyday is something that takes practice and determination. Forcing yourself to produce ideas can be difficult at times but pushing through the challenges allows me to grow as a designer. One thing I always keep in mind is that design is not linear, so I need to be able to think broadly while still producing consistently and efficiently. Technology has played a large roll in how I am influenced by art. I am constantly exposed to art via social media ranging from type design, to branding, to street art. I think it is important to have a wide variety of inspirations, because if you are only inspired by a single artist or style you are trapping your work in a box and not allowing creativity and inspiration to be the dominant force behind your work.

Future.

In the future I hope to continue growing on a daily basis as a designer and refining my skills. Everyday has room for new growth. I am always open to constructive criticism because it plays an important role in how I go about my designs. Feedback from someone who sees the world a little differently allows me to approach the problem at hand from a new angle. Everyday is a new challenge to work through and that is exciting to me. Facing a new challenge allows you to grow creatively since every problem doesn’t have one single solution to solving it.