My Wall of Fame...

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege to design for a really wide range of clients. And while I am just a little bitty tadpole in the graphic design ocean, I have had the excitement of seeing some of my clients do really well and having my work appear on television, magazines, and major blogs. 

I have also had the opportunity to design for a host of non-profit organizations who are doing a lot of good around the world, from the outback of Australia to the heart of the midwest United States. Although few will see these works, it is amazing to know that my designs are helping others.

​However, in the past year, I have entered new territory and had perhaps my greatest achievement yet... my appearance on The School Bulletin Board!

Ok, so its not MY work, but its the product of my efforts! This year I did a week workshop at my the school where my kids do co-op activities, teaching short lessons on Graphic Design to 4-8th graders. With little resources or technology, I have tried to show them that Graphic Design is not just turning on the computer and picking out a cool font. It requires thinking, planning, understanding and communicating. It has turned out to be so much fun for me, and the kids too (there is nothing quite like having them beg me to come back for more!)

Throughout teaching this class, I kept thinking about the first logo that I ever created. It was in fifth grade. My friend and I made a logo for our imaginary “Hearty Heart Mints”, where of course, the M was also the top of a heart. For the assignment we also had to make up a commercial, and maybe some other stuff too, but I just remember the logo. While it would be many more years until I realized Graphic Design could be a career, perhaps that was the start of my journey. And that made me excited to teach, with the thought that one day these kids might look back and remember something significant about this class. 

​While I don’t expect to ever be a world-famous designer, I would love to know that I taught one, or inspired one, or even just introduced someone to a career they would really love. 

Do you remember when you first knew what you wanted to do with your life?