If you had asked little me with a sketchbook and a pencil where all this doodling would take me—I wouldn’t have had a clue. But looking back, my journey as a designer has always been guided by curiosity, creativity, and the desire to learn something new every day.
In this article, I want to share how my passion for drawing as a child grew into a career in design—and the milestones that shaped me along the way.
It All Started with a Pencil
As a kid, I could spend hours drawing. Whether it was comic book characters, cars, buildings, or entire imagined worlds, I was always experimenting with lines, shapes, and perspective—even before I knew what those terms meant.
It wasn’t just a hobby. Drawing was my first language of expression, and it laid the foundation for how I see and understand visual space today.
Curiosity Was My Best Teacher
I didn’t go to art school. Instead, I took the long (and exciting) road of teaching myself. That meant:
- Watching tutorials and design breakdowns late into the night
- Practicing endlessly and redoing projects until they felt just right
- Reading about design theory, color psychology, and visual hierarchy
- Exploring tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and later, UI/UX design software
I wasn’t afraid to get stuck—because every challenge was an opportunity to grow. I also learned to ask better questions and find answers creatively, whether through forums, videos, or just trial and error.
Turning Skills Into Projects
Even today, I still approach design with a student’s mindset. I’m constantly exploring new tools (like Articulate 360 or Camtasia), experimenting with web design trends, or learning a new animation technique.
I also believe in learning laterally. Studying photography, motion design, and even coding has expanded how I think as a designer. Every new skill adds a layer to my creative toolkit.
Key Lessons Along the Way
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Being self-taught doesn’t mean being alone.
The design community is full of generous people who share knowledge, and I try to do the same when I can.
Here are a few lessons I’ve taken to heart:
- Start where you are, with what you have
- Consistency beats talent when talent doesn’t practice
- Be open to feedback—it’s not personal, it’s part of the process
- Create, share, reflect, repeat
Looking Ahead
I’m proud of the journey so far, but I also know I’m just getting started. Design is a field that’s always evolving—and that’s what makes it exciting.
If you’re on a similar path, or thinking about starting yours, I hope this post gives you a little push. Your curiosity is a powerful compass—follow it.
Thanks for reading,