Career Meet Cute: The Moment I Knew I Found My Purpose

My story happened when I was in college. I dreamed of having a talk show like Barbara Walters or doing something in entertainment. My love for connecting and talking is not something you would not notice about me if you met me at a coffee shop or at a networking event.

Off I went to American University (I chose the best school with the heftiest scholarship) and their well-regarded School of Communication. But first, I had to take some liberal arts.

I read some of the elective descriptions. I chose America’s Quest For A Good Society because I loved history and then chose this other class that concerned itself with things I never thought existed.

“What’s t-y-p-o-g-r-a-p-h-y… ?”
“Dr. Professor Graham…”
“Yale…wow!”
“Design grid?”

 The assignments in Professors Graham’s class went something like this:

1. Draw a letter in the font of your choice. In pencil. On a 12”x12”
   grid.
2. Express a word typographically. For example, I chose Quagmire
   and made it look like it was drowning at the center where the “g" and the “m” met.

It wasn’t until Professor Graham asked us to pick a letter and a number and create a logo for a made-up company that a lightbulb went off.

“You mean you draw stuff and build companies from drawing stuff?” I said to myself.

That was the moment I fell in love with graphic design. I realized I could have a trade that I loved and make a living doing it.

What’s your craft origin story?

For more stories in our Work From Heart series and other news about brand, culture, and design, sign up for Far From Timid’s Honey Pot newsletter here.

Submit your story here with subject line: Work From Heart here.