investigations of nodality

I was once asked the question, “Where are you in your work?” I thought that having a unique style was reserved for designers that had “made it.” Being able to see my personality come through in my work seemed to constitute that I had work that I could differentiate as my own. Both as a 9-to-5 corporate designer and as a freelancer, the look and feel of my work was dictated by the needs of my clients. Having work that I created solely for the sake of making, that which I could call my own, seemed frivolous if not irresponsible.

It wasn’t until my studies at VCFA, when I was given “permission” to explore any avenue of design that I wished, that I realized I would finally be making work for myself. Several themes that coincided with things I hold dear outside of design unexpectedly found their way into my work: joy, connection, and music. I also unexpectedly found myself to be challenged on a daily basis by self-reflecting, exposing my vulnerabilities, reconciling my emotions with my work, and addressing the fears I had concerning my practice.

When I step back to look at the last two years as a whole, it is easy to see the interconnectedness of the work I made with the fears I addressed, the themes that were revealed, and my process as it evolved. It is also easy to see what bound these connections together. The revelations, reflections, and evolutions could have only come to fruition through the realization of one simple truth: I was making for myself.

It was through this revelation that I truly rediscovered the joy of being a graphic designer. Now as I shed the title of “student” and shift from this phase of my journey, I’m confident I’ll be able to preserve that joy by taking this lesson with me: I am a better designer when I take time to make work for myself.