Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

It’s different for everybody, but what counts as creative inspiration to me are things that make me super happy and excited. Right now, it’s comic books, concerts and eating at new places. They may seem irrelevant but they fill up your soul, and that’s where I find is the best place to create from.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Better easier said than done, but the best thing is to step away from the work you’re trying to force out. Sleep, too. Your brain does magic in the background when you’re doing something that feeds your soul (or belly). My fave activities are eating a good meal with friends, going into nature and reading a book. An idea will ALWAYS come.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

(Side note: When looking for inspiration, I make sure I’m even open to it coming in. If I’m not, I'll go get some sleep or watch TV.) Some things I do in the digital space are: interact with cool new digital design in Muzli, go deep in Pinterest, make Saved collections on Instagram, watch music videos on YouTube, look at album art on Spotify. In the physical space, I love looking at architecture, taking pictures of old packaging/signs/posters, and finding new shapes and color schemes from nature. In terms of concepts, I write down my thoughts a lot, even if it’s a half thought. It will likely grow and develop if my heart really resonates with it.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Because design is mostly web-based, there are many ways to structure your working day which relates to how you get paid! Taking a full-time position is the most common, and most higher paying design jobs are based in cities because of competition. With more remote work, though, there’s more flexibility about location! Some designers are freelancers and charge a specific hourly or project rate, and work as much or as little as they want. They just have to find clients themselves.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Yes! There are many ways to make a design job a career. You can work full-time in a creative agency or design studio, work freelance, build clientele and get paid project by project, or sell work online that can be licensed by companies or purchased directly by people. The opportunities change everyday and are not always immediate but remember that in order for people to value your work, you must also value it and that requires some figuring out and soul-searching.

Yewon

UX Designer

NYC

Of course! You can make more than enough money while working as a designer. Like any industry, the salary varies depending on what type of a designer you are. You can work on various clients at a design agency, work on a single product as an in-house designer, or freelance and do your own thing. There are plenty of design opportunities out there these days and as businesses realize the importance of design more and more, the $ value of it has been increasing as well.

April 26, 2023

Yewon

UX Designer

NYC

I know talking about money feels awkward and scary. But you’ll get used to it as time passes! It’s always important that you research and know what the average salary of your field is, taking the years of experience into account. That way when you talk with the HR and they ask you about your salary expectations, you know what to ask for. You don’t always have to say the number first either - that’s totally up to you. You can wait until they give you a number and go from there.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Research and open conversation! Come to interviews knowing an estimated number in mind. Use job platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, or LinkedIn and see what the average salary for your position/location is. If you know someone in the industry you’re working in, request to have a transparent conversation about their salaries or a range they are aware of. Lastly, know your worth! I know people say that a lot but really understand what your value is bringing to the organization. Make a list if you have to! That way, you can use all this reasoning when it comes time to say your number.

April 26, 2023

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Mentors are trusted people who usually have more experience in a related career as I am. I lean on them to be blunt, empowering and transparent about everything from finances to how to handle contracts. There are official ways to get mentorship (internships/mentorship programs) but sometimes it’s informal and they’re just someone you might have worked with once or met at a random event. If they are willing to offer their knowledge, make sure to respect and maintain the relationship! Mentors have been so important for me because they’ve made me feel confident in my career and project choices with a lot less scrambling around.

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

My list of requirements changes every time and it depends on my needs. In general, I look at: work culture, mission of the projects they choose, salary and benefits, Glassdoor reviews and if I have the luxury of time, sit on it and get input from my peers if they think it’s a fit for me, too.

Yewon

UX Designer

NYC

For me I always think first about what field I’m interested in working in. From fashion, entertainment to finance and health, there are lots of different fields that need designers all around. Then I also consider work culture, people, salary, and how much I can grow at a company.

April 26, 2023

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

Start with asking yourself the specifics. Do I not like the projects? The hours? The people? The possibility for promotion? The commute? There are many reasons, and pinpointing the problem will give you a more specific answer. The answer may not need to be drastic like quitting the job, maybe it’s talking to your manager, meeting more people within your agency, setting boundaries, etc.

Yewon

UX Designer

NYC

I’d start by identifying the reasons why I don’t like the place. Sometimes talking to your coworkers or managers and sharing your feelings help improve the situation and fix the problems you may have to a certain extent. Don’t ever feel like you have to stay at one place forever though- you can always be open about other places and explore if you feel like changing jobs is the ultimate way.

April 26, 2023

Loisse

Graphic Designer/Illustrator

Las Vegas

First of all, many of my peers, including me, don’t truly know what we want to do long-term either. I’m guided by answering: What work excites me the most? What do I want to learn? What feels closest to serving myself and others in a regenerative and fulfilling way? In my experience, I never answer these questions fully, but that’s okay! (Reminder: work should not outrank your personal life goals like health and cultivating meaningful connections).