Being a graphic designer isn’t just about creating visuals

I really believe that problem-solving involves managing multiple tasks, prioritizing them, and knowing what needs your focus right away. A graphic designer plays several roles: communicator, strategist, and visual storyteller. In my design experience, the process is similar to solving a math problem—you pinpoint the challenge, choose the right elements, and come up with a solution. But unlike math, where there's usually one right answer, design is more subjective. The outcome can change depending on perspective, context, and creativity.

First, Identifying the Target Audience

My journey into the education industry began at Mindframe Education, where I landed an internship while juggling multiple college courses and working as a server. Without financial support from my family, I had to hustle constantly. Yet, I remained determined to pursue a career in design, believing in my passion despite the challenges.

At Mindframe Education, I assisted with marketing projects, specifically in graphic design, and played a role in developing marketing programs and promotional materials for the student curriculum materials. I took ownership of at least one major project while contributing to others, including press releases, marketing posters, and public outreach efforts.

Then came an unexpected challenge:

“We’re short on after-school instructors. Do you think you could facilitate K-5 classes?”

Teaching was never in my plans. I had no experience with kids, nor had I learned how to teach. But instead of shying away, I saw it as another design problem to solve.

I studied how to engage children. In this scenario, K-5 students became my audience. I wanted to teach them in a way that was both helpful and engaging. But I didn’t even know what kids were into or watching these days. I had never had younger siblings, so I was completely out of touch. However, it was my job to adapt and present material suitable for them.

“Looking at art helps children develop observation and interpretation skills. They learn important concepts like symbolism and abstraction while also strengthening pattern recognition and visual-spatial skills to understand relationships between parts of a whole.”

— Source: pittsburghkids.org

Through my research on K-5 students, I found that allowing students to use their imagination helped them engage better. I introduced activities where they searched for objects in the classroom that resembled specific shapes.

For example:

• What objects in the classroom resemble a circle?

• What textures of these circular objects match other things in the room?

• Can you draw this object and use your imagination to turn it into something new?

It was fascinating to see how they observed their surroundings and used their creativity to interpret and illustrate what they saw. This hands-on approach kept them present and engaged.

To my surprise, I loved teaching. It sparked my interest in the intersection of education and design.

Graphic design skills empower students to create their own projects, such as digital portfolios, presentations, and infographics, enhancing both their creativity and communication skills. Maybe my title at the time was “afterschool instructor,” but I realized I could inspire young students through creativity.

Second, shaping the Brand Identity

Teaching children how to see the world differently and expand their imagination made me realize the impact of design beyond aesthetics. This experience pulled me deeper into the education industry.

Post-COVID, as I transitioned from survival mode back to pursuing my passion, I found my way to OneStudyTeam.

For the first time, I felt completely in sync with a company's mission and worked alongside a team that was just as passionate about it. My role included shaping our brand identity, keeping the brand guidelines in check, working with the team to ensure everything stayed consistent, creating new social media posts, and adjusting stock images to fit lesson plans. It was the first job where I actually looked forward to our daily team meetings.

After years of choosing jobs based on availability, I finally felt like I was in a place where I could thrive—not just survive. I shifted from merely working to focusing on making an impact through design.

Understanding trends in the industry helps identify what makes competitors more effective. One of our biggest challenges as a healthcare tech brand was standing out in a sea of competitors. Have you ever heard of the theory “The Color of the Industry”. Most healthcare organizations incorporate blue into their branding. Blue conveys trust, respect, and social responsibility, which makes people feel protected. However, when everyone uses shades of blue, it becomes difficult to stand out.

To differentiate ourselves, we designed a new logo incorporating contemporary colors to emphasize inclusivity while maintaining dark blue elements to preserve the sense of trust and loyalty. We also introduced personalized illustrations throughout our branding to add warmth and human connection.

Increasing Engagement & Emotional Impact

• Colors, typography, and imagery evoke emotions and drive action.

• Example: A nonprofit campaign with compelling visuals can inspire more donations than plain text.

Third, Refining Design Elements

My career has been about making choices and figuring out where I fit in the design world. Graphic design is flexible and open to interpretation, but I’ve finally found the area where I want to make an impact. Working with Illustrative Mathematics reinforced my love for design—not just as a tool to create visually appealing work but as a means of collaboration and learning from my team’s strengths.

At Illustrative Mathematics, I developed Google Slides templates, created social media graphics, designed materials for print and digital marketing, and collaborated closely with the team. I embraced brand guidelines while ensuring accuracy and creativity in all projects. I love my work. But more importantly, I love working alongside people who share my passion.

One question continues to drive me: “How do we make math more fun?”

• Proper use of colors, fonts, and layouts makes educational materials accessible to students with disabilities, including those with visual impairments or learning challenges.

As a kid, I had a hard time with math and often felt behind compared to others who were good at it. But the more I learn about this company, the more it helps heal that part of me—because I see people committed to making learning easier and more engaging for students like I once was.