Choosing the Design Path: Navigating My Creative Journey

I've been fortunate to have a clear sense of what I wanted to do from a young age. Although I entertained a few random career ideas like being a lawyer, police officer, or marketing manager, and at one point I wanted to be in MI5 (don’t ask!) I always knew I wanted a creative career. Growing up, my love for art and anything creative gradually evolved into my profession.

Discovering Graphic Design:

I thought I liked art because it was the main creative subject at school. However, I wasn't great at the traditional 'art' they taught. I couldn't draw what they asked, but I loved design and coming up with ideas. A key moment occurred during a GCSE options night when I spoke to the graphic design teacher. Everything clicked into place. Graphic design was creative but more methodical than traditional art, and that's what I had been searching for all along.

Battle with School and Uni Pressures:

Continuing to study graphic design into A-Levels, my enjoyable school experience shifted when I entered Sixth Form. There was suddenly a huge pressure to go to university, something I wasn't sure about. I went along with it anyway as nobody spoke to me about other options. I started to push myself with design and realised that I really wanted this to be my career. At the time my graphics teacher became my rock throughout sixth form. She gave me so much confidence and exposed me to a world of graphic design and creativity that I didn’t know existed. She was also the only teacher who didn't push me towards university; instead, she listened to what I wanted and supported my decision to explore other options. Despite this, I went along to University open days anyway as I thought I had to. The graphic design courses looked good but I knew I wanted to be out working so I could earn money to go solo travelling. A concept which seemed to baffle not only the school but friends as well. I remember someone saying to me “What are you going to do, go and look at temples on your own… that’s so weird’ Well flash forward 5 years that’s worked out pretty well for me. Despite all the pressure to go to university, my gut said I didn’t want to go so I listened to that. I continued with sixth form mainly focusing on my graphic design coursework whilst working in a pub during the evenings and weekends to save up for travelling.

Choosing a Different Path:

Following my teacher's advice, after sixth form I went to do an an art foundation course, a game-changer in my creative journey. This course allowed me to be fully creative. However, it was definitely uncomfortable at first, but I loved the freedom it provided! During school, there were strict guidelines in place by exam boards. The foundation course was completely free and the perfectionist in me had to disappear. For the first time, I was doing fine art lessons without feeling like ‘I couldn’t draw’ like I did when I was at school. I absolutely loved it! I then also started to look into booking my first trip to Thailand and Australia as I had saved up my money…but then COVID hit, and it threw a huge curveball.

HND in Graphic Design and Photography: A Love-Hate Affair:

During the pandemic, unable to work in the pub or travel, I dedicated each day to learning new design skills through YouTube tutorials. Traveling seemed like a distant dream, so I decided to stay in education a bit longer as it would be a while before borders were opened properly. I decided to study a HND in Graphic Design and Photography. This course was very much a love-hate relationship. There were a lot of opportunities for me to network and get my name out there. I took every opportunity that came my way… participating in panel events, radio discussions, and engaging with local businesses. Despite all the great opportunities I was really struggling with still being in education and just wanted to be done with the system. There were MANY times I didn’t think I’d continue on the course let alone graduate. However, towards the end, it picked up and I had a new tutor who got me so excited about design and most importantly she supported my desire not to do further education and travel instead.

I finally graduated in October 2022. If you told me 2 years ago that I would actually finish college let alone graduate I would’ve laughed in your face!

Time to Travel:

After finishing college did some freelance work and worked full time in hospitality. I had planned to go travelling the following year. In classic Olivia style thought I needed to have my trip all planned out before I went. In October 2022 I went away to Uganda for the second time to work with a charity I’d been working with for a few years. During that trip I realised I was not on a ‘holiday’ from education but instead, for the first time COMPLETELY FREE. So I did something which was very out of character for me. I booked a one-way ticket to Bangkok with just under 4 weeks to go. I didn’t have time to think or plan, I just had to do it. So on the 5th of December, I started my journey. I’d been wanting to do this for years… and it was finally happening. I was filled with so much fear… what if I hate it? The good news is I bloody loved it and stayed out for 7 months. Travelling taught me so much more than any form of formal education could have done. Flashforward to Feb 2024 I am getting ready to go back to SE Asia (hopefully for longer this time) starting June this year. I am building my freelancing business and can’t wait to see what comes next in my journey.

Reflecting on all of I've come to realise that creativity isn't confined to classrooms or institutions, it’s through the experiences you have and the people you meet. That’s where most of my inspiration now comes from. Starting at the age of four, I spent 15 years in school or college. So only now am I finding out who I am without the constraints of education. I can honestly say I have learnt more about myself and the world around me in the last year than I ever did at school. I am so glad I listened to my gut and chose the path that was right for me.