Chasing Rainbows

Looking over my design career, my "grunge phase" is one of the first things that jumps out at me. While it's easy to joke about this period as my “rebellious years” in the world of graphic design, there's actually a little truth to it.

Especially in the beginning, I found myself in many environments where my colleagues' design styles naturally leaned feminine. To stand apart, I instinctively leaned toward a more masculine approach, embracing the use of black and grungy elements. It was a deliberate but natural choice that added a nice variety to our department's collective body of work. Despite being the "new girl," my work was chosen more frequently by our customers and marketing team.

Gritty and splattered designs became my comfortable safety net. I knew I could create these looks quickly and could count on them to be usable, but as with any artistic endeavor, it's essential to avoid falling into a creative rut. What worked for one project may not work for the next, and it's crucial to remain open to experimentation and growth. How do you stay open to experimenting and taking risks though? At times, it involves introspection. Did I think of myself as an edgy, weathered and worn grunge-monger? Most people describe me with a zest for whimsy. I embraced that and played with vibrant new themes. As it turned out, the colorful creations often exceeded my own expectations and surpassed my previous work.

I learned the importance of staying inspired, exploring new techniques, and challenging myself to evolve creatively. Genuine progress resides in welcoming vulnerability, even if it means trying something outside of what you’re comfortably “known” for. Creativity thrives on experimenting, challenging norms, and surpassing anticipated outcomes. We expose ourselves to the possibilities of criticism and rejection, but also to unapologetic authenticity and succeeding in new ways. 

What could we all accomplish if we weren’t afraid of taking risks?

Pictured below: Some of my favorite School Mate planner covers from when the splattered grunge merged with the rainbow.