Embracing the Artist Within the Designer

This June marks six years since I began my journey as a digital illustrator. Art has always been my passion, but I never imagined it would lead to a career in design. At first, it took a while to realize I could actually make money from my art. Can you believe it?

I received an iPad as a gift, having previously borrowed friends' devices to draw just for fun. As soon as I delved into digital art, it was love at first sight. Every year, I critique my artwork and reflect on how far I've come. A few years later, I discovered UX and product design, and once again, it was love at first sight. I immersed myself in learning, using resources like YouTube, Coursera, BrainStation, and even ChatGPT. I connected with illustrators worldwide, forging wonderful friendships through our shared love for Procreate. I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my mentor, Swarnavo Dutta, who ignited my passion for digital art and still supports and inspires me daily as I grow as a designer.

Digital illustration was initially a side project for me, woven into collaborations with fantastic teams. Conversations following a layoff provided valuable feedback, highlighting how my digital art skills complement my design capabilities. Reflecting on this, I realized my love for visually storytelling, whether in solving design problems or bringing ideas to life through painting. Embracing the artist within the designer has been transformative, enabling me to merge creativity with functionality. This blend of skills strengthens me, allowing me to approach design challenges uniquely and create visually compelling, user-centered designs. As a testament to this journey, I began sketching in my journal, initially for efficiency but evolving into what I call bento-style sketches. Inspired by a design blog on bento boxes in UI design, I transformed my visual journal into a collection of these sketches, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response.

Navigating a layoff has been challenging yet enlightening, prompting me to reassess my passions and career goals. This period of transition has led me to explore new opportunities that align with my skills and creativity. As a passionate product designer, I am actively seeking a product design role where I can collaborate with like-minded individuals who share my enthusiasm for innovation and user-centered design. Additionally, I aspire to develop my own line of stationery, blending my love for illustration and design. I'm also excited about collaborating with other artists on similar projects to create something truly unique and impactful.

I'm deeply grateful to my fellow artists and supporters on Instagram. What began as doodles shared on the 'Notes' app has blossomed into a vibrant community of nearly 700 amazing individuals worldwide. Your encouragement, comments, and shares have meant the world to me, transforming my creative journey into something truly special. Through the magic of the Instagram algorithm and engaging art events, I've connected with many quirky, talented souls like you. Your support—whether through likes, DMs, or late-night art meme exchanges—is invaluable. I'm excited to continue growing, creating, and perhaps even goofing around with you all. As I navigate this non-linear path, I eagerly anticipate new opportunities and collaborations that will allow me to merge my artistic and design skills. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.