Cynthia Oswald

Surface Design, Fine Art + Branding for Creatives

creative career

Maximizing Your Design Strengths: Insights From Design Archetype Analysis

Discovering Your Design Identity:
Insights From Design Archetype Analysis

Have you ever paused to consider what drives your design style? This is something I was thinking through recently and it led me down the path of designer archetypes. I’ve always been interested in personality and strengths tests—it helps me to understand my own distinct qualities. But throughout my career I’ve also learned that these insights don’t just help me learn about myself; they’ve also paved the way for me to position myself effectively in my field, connecting more authentically with my Ideal Client Avatar (ICA). While I’m not a fan of pigeonholing people into strict categories, I believe there’s undeniable value in recognizing our individual styles and preferences. This understanding doesn’t just attract the right clients and projects; it deepens our engagement with our creative work. As designers, this clarity about what we bring to the table is essential—it attracts the right clients and repels the wrong ones. 

So, let’s delve into five distinct designer archetypes to help us better understand ourselves and engage more meaningfully in our work.

The Pioneer: This is that designer who always seems to be three steps ahead of the rest of us. The one who’s setting trends today that the rest of us will finally catch onto next year. That’s the Pioneer. They’re the trailblazers, the ones who dare to venture where no designer has gone before. Their strength? A relentless pursuit of innovation, constantly reshaping the design landscape with their out-of-the-box thinking. 

The Perfectionist: Picture the designer whose work is so meticulously crafted, it’s like witnessing a symphony in pixels and typography. They’re the ones with an eye for detail so keen, they could spot a misaligned element from a mile away. The Perfectionists are the unsung heroes behind those flawless designs where every element aligns with an almost supernatural precision.

The Empath: Imagine a designer who not only designs but tells a story, capturing emotions as effortlessly as they capture hues and lines. They are the ones who help you feel effortlessly. The Empaths are the soulful storytellers of the design world, weaving narratives through their creations that resonate deeply with the audience’s hearts.

The Diplomat: Ever encountered a designer who puts their client needs above their egos? They so beautifully blend client feedback with design ideation. That’s your Diplomat. They’re the bridge-builders, adept at marrying client visions with design realities, ensuring each project is a harmonious collaboration. They’re the ones turning client feedback sessions into productive, and even enjoyable, creative partnerships.

The Problem-Solver: These are the designers who looks at a complex brief or piles of words and images with a grin on their face! The Problem-Solvers are the masterminds of the design world, turning intricate challenges into stunning, functional design solutions. They’re the ones who approach design hurdles not as obstacles but as exciting puzzles to be solved.

You may align with one or more of these archetypes and that’s wonderful! The idea is to embrace the qualities that resonate as part of your unique design identity. It’s about finding your niche in the vast, vibrant world of design and using your innate strengths to carve out your own creative path. 

Now, let’s dive deeper into each archetype and uncover how they can shape your approach to design and your interaction with the world around you. Want to find out what design archetype you most align with? Click here to take the quiz.

Five Designer Archetypes

The Pioneer – Breaking Boundaries in Design

Are you the designer who’s always dreaming up the next big thing, long before it becomes a trend? If you’re constantly challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of creativity, you’re likely a Pioneer. You’re the trailblazer in the design world, always a step ahead, turning bold ideas into reality. Pioneers like you are rare gems in the design community, often leading the charge into unexplored creative territories. As a Pioneer, showcasing your ability to anticipate and innovate in your portfolio can attract clients who are looking for cutting-edge design and futuristic concepts, setting you apart in the design world.

Strengths and Uniqueness:

  • Pioneers possess a rare ability to anticipate and set trends, not just follow them. This forward-thinking approach is not something every designer naturally has – it’s a unique blend of intuition and daring.
  • Their innovative spirit allows them to experiment with new concepts, technologies, and methods, often leading to groundbreaking work.

Positioning and Suitable Work:

  • Pioneers should market themselves as trendsetters and innovators, appealing to brands or projects that value cutting-edge design and creativity.
  • Ideal work environments include tech startups, avant-garde agencies, or any field where the next ‘big thing’ in design is highly valued.

The Perfectionist – Mastering the Art of Detail

Do you find yourself obsessing over every pixel and typography alignment? If precision and detail are your mantras, you’re unmistakably a Perfectionist. You’re the one who brings harmony and balance to designs with your meticulous attention to detail. Your ability to refine and perfect is your superpower, turning good designs into extraordinary works of art. In a world that often overlooks the little things, your keen eye sets you apart. Embrace your Perfectionist nature by highlighting your meticulous attention to detail in your work, attracting clients who appreciate precision and flawless execution in design.

Strengths and Uniqueness:

  • The Perfectionist’s eye for detail can elevate a design from good to exceptional. This meticulous approach sets them apart in an industry where details often make the difference.
  • Their precision and care in design execution assure high-quality outcomes, a trait not common to all designers.

Positioning and Suitable Work:

  • Perfectionists should highlight their precision and attention to detail in their portfolios and client pitches, showcasing past work that demonstrates these traits.
  • They are well-suited for luxury brands, high-end publications, or any sector where the quality of detail is paramount.

The Empath – Connecting Through Emotional Design

Are you the designer who feels deeply and designs even more so? As an Empath, your designs do more than just look good; they tell stories and evoke emotions. You have a unique ability to connect with your audience on a deeper level, making your work not just seen but felt. Your designs are not just visual experiences; they are emotional journeys. If you find joy in creating designs that resonate with hearts and souls, the Empath archetype is your natural habitat. Utilize your Empath strengths by focusing on projects that require emotional depth and storytelling, making you the ideal candidate for brands looking to forge deep connections with their audience.

Strengths and Uniqueness:

  • Empaths have the innate ability to understand and translate emotions into visual narratives. This emotional intelligence in design helps create deeper connections between the brand and its audience.
  • Their designs often tell stories, making them memorable and impactful.

Positioning and Suitable Work:

  • Empaths can position themselves as storytellers and emotional connectors in their marketing, appealing to clients who value brand narratives and user experience.
  • Ideal projects include social cause campaigns, branding for non-profits, or industries where storytelling is crucial.

The Diplomat – Bridging Visions and Realities

Are you the designer who excels in turning a client’s vision into a stunning design reality? If balancing client needs with creative expression is your forte, you’re a Diplomat. You’re not just designing; you’re translating ideas into visual stories. Your strength lies in your ability to communicate, collaborate, and create designs that satisfy both the client’s expectations and your creative instincts. As a Diplomat, you’re the essential bridge between client dreams and design realities. Leverage your Diplomat skills by emphasizing your collaborative approach and client-centric methods in your marketing, attracting clients who value a harmonious and tailored design process.

Strengths and Uniqueness:

  • Diplomats excel in understanding and translating client needs into viable designs. They possess a unique blend of empathy and practicality, which is essential for client satisfaction.
  • Their collaborative approach makes them excellent team players and project leaders.

Positioning and Suitable Work:

  • Diplomats should promote themselves as client-focused designers who excel in translating visions into reality.
  • They thrive in environments where client interaction and feedback are integral parts of the design process, such as agencies focused on client partnerships or in-house design teams in corporates.

The Problem-Solver – Innovating Through Challenges

Do complex design challenges make you more excited rather than overwhelmed? If so, you’re a true Problem-Solver. You thrive when faced with design puzzles, finding joy in untangling complex briefs and transforming them into elegant, functional designs. Your approach is analytical, yet your solutions are steeped in creativity. In a world full of design challenges, your ability to innovate and solve is what makes you stand out as a Problem-Solver. Highlight your Problem-Solver prowess by showcasing your portfolio of complex projects and innovative solutions, appealing to clients and industries that face intricate design challenges and value creative problem-solving.

Strengths and Uniqueness:

  • Problem-Solvers are adept at navigating complex design challenges and turning them into innovative solutions. This ability to think outside the box is a distinct advantage.
  • Their analytical and strategic approach to design often leads to unique and effective solutions.

Positioning and Suitable Work:

  • Problem-Solvers should market themselves as the go-to experts for challenging projects that require innovative thinking.
  • Suitable roles include design consultancies, tech companies, or any project that requires strategic thinking to overcome design challenges.

It’s funny—when I developed the quiz to uncover these design styles, I discovered I align most with the Problem-Solver, even though I initially thought I’d resonate more with the Empath or Diplomat. This revelation underscores the importance of self-awareness in our field. While you may have an inkling of which archetype you embody, I encourage you to take the quiz. It’s designed to help you articulate your unique strengths to your clients, aligning you with work that truly reflects your talents and passions.

Charting Your Creative Path: Exploring Long-Term Career Goals with Bonnie Christine

Charting Your Creative Path:

A Long Vision: Clarity, Consistency & the Power of Small Wins

A Long Vision: Clarity, Consistency & the Power of Small Wins

Last week, I had a full schedule—so full that when the opportunity came up to chat with long-time business mentor Bonnie Christine, my first instinct was that I might not have time. But then I heard Bonnie’s voice in my head, reminding me of everything she’s taught about being bold, taking “10 seconds of courage,” and pushing through discomfort to say yes to the right opportunities. So I made space, and I’m so glad I did.

We hopped on a 20-minute Zoom call to talk about something I think so many creative entrepreneurs struggle with: How do you take a long-term vision for your career and actually make it happen?

The Power of Believing in Success

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Bonnie asked:

“What if you try as hard as you can and you succeed? Are you even willing to wrap your mind around the possibility that you will succeed?”

So often, we focus on the fear of failure. But what if we redirected that energy into fully believing in success? Sometimes, the biggest hurdle isn’t the work itself—it’s trusting that the effort will pay off.

Setting Goals That Move the Needle

Bonnie also shared a key distinction: a goal needs to be something you can check off. It should be clear, specific, and measurable.

“I see a lot of people set really big goals that aren’t clear enough. They’ll be like, ‘I want to empower female entrepreneurs to live their best life.’ And like, that’s great, but it’s more of a why—it’s not a goal. A goal is something you can check when you’ve accomplished it, like signing a licensing contract or making $100,000.”

This resonated deeply with me. If we aren’t specific, how will we know when we’ve arrived? Taking the time to define clear goals makes all the difference.

The Role of Consistency & Tiny Steps

One of the biggest takeaways from our chat was how success is built not through grand gestures, but through consistent, small steps.

“Successful people only get there through consistent action. It’s not about knowing exactly how you’ll reach the goal—it’s about focusing on just the very next thing and repeating that over and over again.”

This was a great reminder that we don’t need to have it all figured out before we start. Just take the next step, then the next. Progress compounds.

Motherhood, Entrepreneurship & Time as a Currency

Bonnie and I also talked about the balance of motherhood and entrepreneurship. She shared how, after having kids, she became more efficient with her time because she had to be. It made her rethink how she worked, cut out distractions, and focus on what truly moved her forward.

“I sort of remember those years as really beautiful, but also just kind of keeping my head above water from a business perspective. I wasn’t innovating—I was just maintaining for a couple of years. But almost everyone has something—whether it’s young kids, a day job, or caretaking responsibilities. The key is making consistent progress, no matter the pace.”

As a mom of two little ones, I felt this deeply. It’s not about doing everything, it’s about doing the right things.

Trusting Intuition & Saying ‘Heck Yes’

One of the biggest shifts in my own creative journey has been learning when to say yes and when to say no. Bonnie shared her perspective on this too:

“At first, I was a ‘yes’ girl—saying yes to everything to build my career. Then I became a ‘no’ girl, realizing that every time I said yes to one thing, I was saying no to something else. And now, if it’s not a heck yes, it’s a heck no.”

I loved this reminder that not every opportunity is the right one. Learning to trust your instincts, listen to what feels right, and let go of what doesn’t align is a skill worth honing.

Want to Go Deeper? Join Bonnie’s Free Workshop

If any of this resonates with you, I highly encourage you to listen in on our full conversation above. And if you’re curious about designing patterns for fabric or wallpaper, Bonnie is hosting a free workshop on pattern design now through February 19, 2025. It’s a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into crafting a creative career with clarity and intention.

✨ Join the Free Workshop Here

What’s a goal you’ve been chipping away at, and what’s the very next thing you can do to move it forward? Drop a comment and let’s cheer each other on!

FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to sign up through my link. I only share opportunities I truly believe in and think will be valuable to my audience.

Behind the Scenes of the Vast Views Collection

Grounding myself in motherhood

Behind the Scenes of the Vast Views Collection

It’s 8:30 am on a Friday morning and I’ve already cooked breakfast, sang and danced, played restaurant, painted, and made a huge mess of my living area alongside my two girls (and two large dogs). We are busy over here—and by “we” I mean me—I’m busy wearing many hats. It’s just as I had hoped for, more than I ever could have dreamed, and also can be a real struggle to keep up with. Sometimes I feel like I’m 8 years old treading water and a little too far from the edge of the pool. I was never a strong swimmer. Other times, I’m in complete awe of how I can find rest by looking into their eyes, I can ground myself by caring for them, and I can find presence by being present. 

My girls are 1 and 4. They have reminded me of the little pleasures in life that fill my cup. Finding a grasshopper, discovering a new plant, soaking in a beautiful view, dancing when no one is watching, singing in the shower, goodness, even digging for worms can be exciting. I’m calling these simple pleasures into my life right now and drinking them in like my first cup of morning coffee because they ground me in these early years of motherhood. Motherhood in combination with running a business, nurturing a marriage, and fulfilling my own creative desires feels near impossible some days (notice I said nothing about a social life!). I paint the feelings I want to experience, I ground myself in the practice, and I sincerely want to create that sense of grounding and the ability to mindfully connect with the present moment for those that collect my work. 

This year I’m bringing back the mini watercolor landscapes for the 25 Days of Minis project with presence in mind. When I was a child, I would walk to the highest elevation on my parent’s property and climb a large tree that had a limb hanging over the fence row, overlooking the valley. I would walk out to the edge of the tree limb and sit there absorbing the landscape. It stirred up a well of emotions in my heart—excitement, hope, possibility. I think about how truly present I was in those moments. Free of cell phones, work, expectations, you name it. I was free to daydream and that is exactly what I did there while I looked out over the vast view. It was in those moments that the abundance found in nature seemed completely accessible to me. 

The best compliment is when I witness a child absorb my artwork. I’ve seen my one-year-old giggle when noticing a ladybug in a pattern I designed, my 4-year-old is constantly trying to procure paintings for her bedroom gallery, and when children that aren’t part of my family appreciate my work, my heart literally sings a little tune. It’s a song about daydreaming into the present moment, finding joy in the smallest pleasures, and soaking in the moments that we are in, right now. My hope is that this work can serve as a visual reminder to focus on flourishing, see the beauty and magic in the present moment and that the wild abundance that exists in nature is also accessible to us.

mini watercolor landscapes
Mini Watercolor Landscapes from the 2021 Collection

Transform your space into a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. Explore my collection of original art, linen wall hangings, and bespoke wallpaper, each piece crafted to inspire tranquility and well-being. Interested in a custom creation that perfectly matches your vision? Let’s collaborate to bring your unique idea to life. Reach out today to discover how we can enhance your environment with art that resonates with the soul. Together, we’ll create a space that reflects the beauty of nature and the essence of your personal style.

Visit my shop here

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

“My hope is that this work can serve as a visual reminder to focus on flourishing, see the beauty and magic in the present moment, and that the wild abundance that exists in nature is also accessible to us.”

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

The Jeweled Warrior Exhibit

September 30th, 2022

Thank you for joining me tonight. Thank you, Kristin, for inviting me to share my work and for choosing me to collaborate with you on your brand and website. You are a dream client and I feel so fortunate to have met you! 

When Kristin reached out I was just wrapping up my MFA, Leona, my oldest daughter was 1 1/2 (now over 4), and we were heading into the pandemic. When we were talking about her brand, she told me a story about traveling with her parents to St. John’s as a child and how they visited a local jewelry shop where her dad would purchase handmade jewelry pieces for her mom. Those early memories of watching her parents, traveling, and appreciating nature influenced the space we stand in today. I love that story because it parallels memories of my own parents. It also parallels the why behind my work here tonight—I believe wholeheartedly in getting really clear on the memories that bring you joy and leaning into things you feel passionate about. Over the last couple of years, Kristin and I have worked together to bring her ideas to life through The Jeweled Warrior brand. I’m so happy to be here, in this beautiful space, bringing our creative visions together. 

Okay, so this art… I remember the moment I knew I was going to be an artist. I was doing a report on African antelopes in second grade. I drew an Impala to include with the report and I still remember it emerging from the paper as I drew it. I was amazed at how I brought it to life out of seemingly nowhere—I was 7 or 8. There are many other moments that weave together my story that aren’t directly related to drawing. My guess is that you too, can recall the memories that stand out in your mind as significant to who you’re meant to be, or how you’re meant to spend your time.  

There have been ebbs and flows to my creative practice. It has always been a dedication of our most precious resource—time. And through these ebbs and flows, it’s been a journey to really hone in on my creative voice. Fielding negative comments (both internally and externally) has been a large part of learning to persist in my practice. I have listened to the doubt creep in to the back of my brain (even today) and quit on myself more than a few times, losing momentum, but I would be drawn back to the practice like a magnet. It literally takes energy for me to resist it. And over these last few years, I’ve been intentional about not giving up, setting aside time to explore my creative ideas, and allowing myself the freedom to infuse that into both my personal life and my business. That’s why this collection holds a special place for me.  

What I think is different about this group of paintings, for me, is that it marks a turning point in my creative practice—a dedication unlike any other time in my life. It’s a visual representation of what it looks like for me to have a creative rhythm, embracing who I am, and choosing to appreciate life’s simple pleasures despite what might be happening around me.  

About ten years ago now, I kept having this reoccurring dream that I was in my house—it had two sides—the side that I lived in, which looked pretty good. It had everything I needed and was reminiscent of where I was at the time. In the dream, a friend or family member would arrive to the front door and I would take them on a tour of the house. Before I would take them into the side I lived in … I would always say something along the lines of “Would you like to see this other side? I never use it but it’s pretty cool. I should really rent it out or use it.” And then we would walk through a room full of beautifully appointed children’s toys, a kitchen with every amenity, and a beautiful master bedroom that was perfectly decorated and pristine, with a dream bathroom. Each time it was slightly different but it always had the same feel. I was hoarding an abundance of beauty and literally doing nothing with it. I was clueless as to why this dream kept haunting me. And I’m sure just listening to me talk about it, you already have a sense of its meaning.

It was through the shedding of relationships, changing of habits, and learning to trust my intuition that I rediscovered my passion and felt the most balanced and fulfilled I’ve ever felt—my life started to represent something that I was excited by. And … the dream that was haunting me finally stopped. 

The joy I find in the process of painting is worth the practice alone. That feeling of something emerging from the page still surprises me today. There is something deeply soothing to my soul about weaving together a piece of art, one brushstroke at a time. I imagine my grandmother knitting and I know it’s the same feeling. Over time, I’ve blended my love of fine art and design by incorporating patterns into my work. This blend is also about embracing what comes natural to me, and excites me. Art and life often parallel one another. Do you see the magic in patterns? Seemingly unrelated happenstance or moments in time divinely unfolding? Patterns have always fascinated me. Almost like little winks from God that I’m heading in the right (or wrong) direction. Just ask me the story about how I met Steven.

Focusing on nature has allowed me to really lean into this idea of appreciating the beauty around me at any given moment. It’s helped me bring more beauty into my world in times when it didn’t feel natural to focus on flourishing. A walk through the forest, the coming of spring, the variety of plants found in our backyards, natural compositions that form out of seemingly nowhere. Like us, nature goes through seasonal shifts—each one having a different purpose. But ultimately thriving despite the ebbs and flows. In this season of life that I’m currently in, my creative practice truly has to do with slowing down to see the beauty or magic at any moment. I’m absorbing and reflecting on all of the goodness that comes with taking in life’s simple pleasures, in an effort to bring more of that into my world, and I hope you see that reflected in my work. My hope is that this work can serve as a visual reminder to focus on flourishing, see the beauty and magic in the present moment, and that the wild abundance that exists in nature is also accessible to us.

Thank you Mom and Dad for instilling a love of nature, the arts, and enjoying the small stuff. Thank you Steven for always supporting me in my creative endeavors—he built 90% of these frames and the propagation displays for this show. Thank you Isa, Leona, and Viola for breathing new life and perspective into my artistic practice. They have reminded me that possibility, hope, adventure, and discovery are everywhere if you look close enough. Thank you, Emily Mullet and Tina Crespo for coming alongside me this year (and hopefully beyond) to chat art and share in our creative experiences. Thank you all for coming and supporting this work. It’s such an honor to have you here! 

Transform your space into a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. Explore my collection of original art, linen wall hangings, and bespoke wallpaper, each piece crafted to inspire tranquility and well-being. Interested in a custom creation that perfectly matches your vision? Let’s collaborate to bring your unique idea to life. Reach out today to discover how we can enhance your environment with art that resonates with the soul. Together, we’ll create a space that reflects the beauty of nature and the essence of your personal style.

Visit my shop here

How to Use Passion Projects to Find Your Style

Using Passion Projects to Find Your Style

I’m coming up on a decade of running my small art and design business. I can still remember what it felt like to finally make the decision to start living my life—I was single, had a mortgage, and big dreams. I was restless and felt my heart pulling me in a different direction. Something had to change in order for me to get closer to where I was really meant to be. 

I still remember the stack of books I read about intuition, self-discovery, and intention. On a personal level I knew I wanted to get married and have kids, so one of the books was called “Getting to ‘I Do’”—laugh all you want but it’s how I met my husband (a story for a different day)! And on a professional level, I had big dreams but no clue how to actually connect the dots. Especially because I was interested in a lot of different directions and not sure which way to go. 

I hear a lot of stories about stumbling across the perfect career path, or finding the perfect offering and niching down. That is not my story. My story has a lot of twists and turns. It’s about following my intuition and not the popular opinion. It’s about carving my own path and really following hard after what lights me up. When things feel misaligned, it means assessing how close I am to where I belong and course correcting. And now, nearly a decade later, I am blown away by the work I get to do almost daily. I’m finally able to embrace my true passions—professional design and fine art—and integrate them both into my career.  I’m still carving a path for myself and things are always changing and evolving, but I feel more aligned than I ever have. 

Maybe you can relate to where I am now. Or maybe you’re really resonating with how I felt early in my professional and personal life. Either way, I grew a lot through my journey of exploring my passions and infusing them into my work, so I want to share a few pivotal lessons I learned along the way. 

3 Lessons I Learned From Putting Passion to Work

1. Embrace every part of yourself

Do not fall prey to the popular opinion of niching down. If that feels aligned, great. Go for it. But if it’s making you feel constrained, it’s okay to buck the system and do something different. It wasn’t until I finally let go of that restraint that I fully discovered my ultimate love is combining the two things I love. So embrace every part of yourself, your talent, and your passions—and don’t feel like you have to “niche down” and ignore something that lights you up! 

2. Let your style be influenced by what you’re passionate about 

By understanding your motives, strengths, and what you’re passionate about, you naturally attach a driving force behind what you create. That driving force becomes an undercurrent to what you are creating. When you create work that relates to your interests, it shows—people connect with it, and suddenly your style begins to emerge. So don’t forget to embrace your passions and let it guide your creative exploration. 

3. Embrace failure

Failure can feel so deflating as a creative, especially when you put your heart and soul into the work. It feels deeply personal. Knowing that you are going to come up against it often and embracing it as part of the process will enable you to keep moving forward when it smacks you in the face. I still struggle with this one. Each time I’m rejected my thoughts sound something like this “What’s the point? Just give up. No one cares. Etc.” But try your best to see the opportunity that lies ahead and don’t get stuck in the cycle of self-doubt. After all, most of the success stories you hear are about someone who persevered through rejection and discovered a beautiful opportunity in spite of many “failures”. 

These 3 things—embracing each part of myself, allowing my interests to guide my work, and embracing failure—have led me to where I am today. To a design style that feels uniquely me and to a career that’s more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. 

So, if you’re on a similar journey, I want to challenge you with 3 steps to take to start nurturing your passion. 

3 Challenges to Embrace Your Journey to Put Passion to Work

  1. Make a list of the top ten memories you hold and spend time reflecting what makes them unique or special.
  2. Begin a daily creative practice—keep it simple and doable. The key is to commit to 30 days or more so that you can begin to find marks or subject matter that feel aligned with your natural tendencies.
  3. Begin a passion project that you’ve always desired to bring to life, create time in your schedule to work on it, and set a goal for when to share with those around you! 

Be patient with yourself during this process, and embrace the unexpected twists and turns. It’s a journey after all! 

I hope this encourages you and inspires you to trust your gut, follow your design intuition, and truly embrace your passions. From someone who’s on the other side of that journey, trust me, it’s worth the process! 

Transform your space into a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. Explore my collection of original art, linen wall hangings, and bespoke wallpaper, each piece crafted to inspire tranquility and well-being. Interested in a custom creation that perfectly matches your vision? Let’s collaborate to bring your unique idea to life. Reach out today to discover how we can enhance your environment with art that resonates with the soul. Together, we’ll create a space that reflects the beauty of nature and the essence of your personal style.

Visit my shop here

Putting Passion to Work

6 Steps to Ignite Your Creative Passion:

For the last few months, I’ve been diving deep into my own creative mission. Taking the time away from client work to focus energy on my own creative passion has been essential to the success of my creative career. Personal self-expression is at the core of every creative person—so if I’m not creating outside of work—for the sake of the process—I start to feel restless. Work fueled by my own curiosities and interests allows me to be self-expressive. In doing this type of work I end up understanding more about my own driving desire(s). Spending the time to follow my passion brings meaning and purpose to my life and work. Additionally, it naturally helps to lead my career in a direction that fits who I am in work and life. For those of you in creative careers who want to get started on your own passion projects, I’ve outlined the six essential steps to get you started below.

Step 1. Identify your Passions

In Robert Steven Kaplan’s book, What You’re Really Meant To Do, he encourages readers to take time to reflect over moments in your life where you felt like the best version of yourself. It’s important to spend time doing this, as you might not be able to recall these moments right away. As you remember events, make a list. Spending time focusing on and remembering what makes you happy will not only help you figure out what you should be doing, but it will attract more of what you love in your creative career. What were you doing during those moments? The answers might surprise you. Most likely they won’t be linear. They could easily cross over multiple fields of interest. Those moments of happiness should give you an inkling as to what interests you and what you can explore next. Kaplan explains, “Passion is the essential fuel that allows us to find a professional home, to hang in there, and to work through our weaknesses. It gives us a reason to keep fighting to get better.”

Step 2. Attach a Purpose

Next, start brainstorming possible projects related to the ideas you are most passionate about. What problems can you solve by means of visual communication? Is there a particular message you want to convey to the viewer? Who is the viewer? Decide the purpose of the project. Having a goal for the end result will help you stay engaged throughout the life of the project.

Step 3. Select a Medium.

The beauty in crafting your creative career is that you are able to choose all of the pieces. One of the most important items to consider is the medium. What type of skills do you already have? What type of work would you like to be doing? How can you bridge that gap and learn a new skill? Or is there a medium—tactile or digital—you desire to be working with? In addition to the way you will create the work, you need to think about the medium of the final piece. For example, if you were going to create a poster series to promote a local cause in your community, you might be thinking about printed posters as well as a social media campaign. How can the design be created in a way where you are able to use it for both? Outlining all of the ways you plan to bring this project to life is an essential step in the process.

Step 4. Create a Schedule.

Conceptualizing is the fun part. Most designers enjoy this process—especially when there is no monetary value attached to the end result. But exploring your own passion project takes discipline. Set the project up just like you would for a paying client or employer project. Solicit help from a project planner to hold you accountable. Give yourself time to do the work, but commit to your deadlines. Create a deadline to launch and find a way to hold yourself accountable. Share it socially, solicit another designer as an accountability partner, or reward yourself with something only once it is complete.

Step 5. Share Your Work.

Your work achieves nothing if it remains unfinished or sits privately on your hard drive or in your closet. Part of the purpose is to share your work! If it’s appropriate, share the process or wait until the work is complete to unveil it. It will resonate with your audience so don’t worry about how many people like it, or how much attention it gains—do it for yourself. Share it so that it can reach others who will also enjoy it. This could create opportunities for collaborations, springs new ideas, or may connect you with your target audience (or employer).

Step 6. Fail and Repeat.

Realize that failure today doesn’t necessarily mean your project won’t go somewhere in the future—directly or indirectly. It is very easy to fall into the self-comparison trap, especially with social media. Healthy competition can be a good thing but allowing insecurity to keep you from being your best self is a trap. Even the most successful people fail from time to time. Remember that part of the joy of being in a creative career is the process itself. Stay connected with your motives, strengths, and passions throughout the process. Try not to be concerned with a particular outcome—instead create the work in connection with yourself, using your unique vision and voice. Just when you think you are finished, start again with step one.

Conclusion

When I was just starting out in my career I made a lot of decisions based on fear of failure. I was afraid of listening to my gut and following my passions. At that time, I had not mastered the ability to tune others out and focus on the desires of my own heart. It’s amazing how many successful people—people I admire—came up against failure during their careers. Beatrix Potter was a childhood favorite of mine. Her work always inspired me and helped me to see the magic in everyday life. She explored her curiosities from a young age, studying animals and nature. Her famed book, Peter Rabbit, originated in a letter to a friend. She decided to find a publisher for it when picture books became trendy almost 10 years later, in the late 1800s. She printed the first copies herself and sold out in two weeks. Only then was she able to convince a publisher that it was worth their while. At the age of 36, Beatrix began her career as a storyteller and artist. I turn 36 in a few short months. Her story inspires me to chase harder than ever after the things I’m passionate about.

References:
Robert Steven Kaplan. What You’re Really Meant To Do, A Road Map For Reaching Your Unique Potential. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2013.

Susan Denyer. At Home with Beatrix Potter: The Creator of Peter Rabbit. London: Frances Lincoln, 2009, 6-13.