1.1: Self Reflection
1.1 Self Reflection
The six or seven milestones that have defined my life are:
1) Receiving my dog, Naomi
When I was 13 I got my dog Naomi. It made me more responsible for my age and take into consideration what it takes to take care of her. I also learned about “common” diseases dogs get like Parvo as a puppy, a disease which killed Naomi’s sister. But, mistakes are learned. When Naomi was six (people years), she was diagnosed with a severe case of heartworm. Heartworms are caused by infected mosquitos and my home town of Corpus Christi TX, was infested with them, especially in the summer. I decided to treat her slowly, knowing she wouldn’t be able to handle the toxicity of the “quick” method since she was always hyper. Fortunately, she got out of it and is now heart-worm free. My dog also gave me perspective on love and opened my heart more.
1) Receiving my dog, Naomi
When I was 13 I got my dog Naomi. It made me more responsible for my age and take into consideration what it takes to take care of her. I also learned about “common” diseases dogs get like Parvo as a puppy, a disease which killed Naomi’s sister. But, mistakes are learned. When Naomi was six (people years), she was diagnosed with a severe case of heartworm. Heartworms are caused by infected mosquitos and my home town of Corpus Christi TX, was infested with them, especially in the summer. I decided to treat her slowly, knowing she wouldn’t be able to handle the toxicity of the “quick” method since she was always hyper. Fortunately, she got out of it and is now heart-worm free. My dog also gave me perspective on love and opened my heart more.
2) Picking up my first art utensils
I’m sure my first art supplies as a kid included crayons and pencils. However, I always remembered my first art kit where it has markers, colored pencils, crayons, and so much more in a large box. Although the quality of it was cheap, I didn’t know nor did it matter to me. Picking up my first art utensils made me realize how much I love drawing and is the basis of my design journey.
3) Playing piano starting at 8
When I was 8 I picked up the piano because my friend was a pianist and I wanted to do everything she did. But, after a while I ended up liking it for myself. I even to this day, enjoy playing piano music from anime and video games. I learned to be my own musician and to focus on setting goals of learning new pieces. Although I haven’t taken lessons in years, I still play every now and then to learn new songs and to de-stress.
4) My first design job in 2012 //Going back to school to get a second B.A., back in 2014
These two moments are intertwined and the most pivotal moment(s) of my adult life. My first design job was for a local screenprinting job at my hometown where I designed t-shirts. This made me realise how much I love designing and I was there for a couple of years; learning more about graphic design. After, I was starting to get burnt out and wanted to pursue my passion further; but to start from scratch. That’s when I decided to enroll at my local university to take more art and graphic design courses. This was a short notice; enrolling two weeks before classes started. But, I made it and had the best learning experience in my life in a field I was the most passionate about.
I’m sure my first art supplies as a kid included crayons and pencils. However, I always remembered my first art kit where it has markers, colored pencils, crayons, and so much more in a large box. Although the quality of it was cheap, I didn’t know nor did it matter to me. Picking up my first art utensils made me realize how much I love drawing and is the basis of my design journey.
3) Playing piano starting at 8
When I was 8 I picked up the piano because my friend was a pianist and I wanted to do everything she did. But, after a while I ended up liking it for myself. I even to this day, enjoy playing piano music from anime and video games. I learned to be my own musician and to focus on setting goals of learning new pieces. Although I haven’t taken lessons in years, I still play every now and then to learn new songs and to de-stress.
4) My first design job in 2012 //Going back to school to get a second B.A., back in 2014
These two moments are intertwined and the most pivotal moment(s) of my adult life. My first design job was for a local screenprinting job at my hometown where I designed t-shirts. This made me realise how much I love designing and I was there for a couple of years; learning more about graphic design. After, I was starting to get burnt out and wanted to pursue my passion further; but to start from scratch. That’s when I decided to enroll at my local university to take more art and graphic design courses. This was a short notice; enrolling two weeks before classes started. But, I made it and had the best learning experience in my life in a field I was the most passionate about.
5) Watching my first anime at 8, Sailor Moon
The first part of my graphic design journey was drawing, which had a massive resurgence after watching Sailor Moon. I thought their characters were pretty and interesting; inspiring me to draw more human figures and make up my own characters and storylines—something I still do today.
The first part of my graphic design journey was drawing, which had a massive resurgence after watching Sailor Moon. I thought their characters were pretty and interesting; inspiring me to draw more human figures and make up my own characters and storylines—something I still do today.
6) Going to a Graphic design convention in New Orleans 2015
Prior to this, I’ve never been to a graphic design convention so when I went to the AIGA National Convention in New Orleans, I was pretty excited. I learned so much and yet realized there’s so much I do not know in the world of graphic design. It inspired me to push my craft further and be more humble where I was with graphic design.
7) Starting to use Cruelty-Free Products in 2018
I started to realize my role in using various makeup items from top brands. I learned more about what cruelty-free is and the lies some companies say to market this cause. I feel better knowing I can help make an impact in a small way, but at the same time, I understand this isn’t for everyone.
A consistent theme throughout these milestones appears to be:
The theme of these milestones include growth, art (in various forms), design, and awareness. Awareness seems to be the biggest one because with #1 and #7, I became aware of my role upon animals and their safety/care. With #2–6, I became aware of myself and the art/design community and possibilities around me. With all the milestones, I was also inspired in some way; to make a change in my life. A distinction in my milestones is that they either involve my passion for art or my love for animals. Design plays a key role in my life, but before graphic design there was art, drawing and music in my life.
The theme of these milestones include growth, art (in various forms), design, and awareness. Awareness seems to be the biggest one because with #1 and #7, I became aware of my role upon animals and their safety/care. With #2–6, I became aware of myself and the art/design community and possibilities around me. With all the milestones, I was also inspired in some way; to make a change in my life. A distinction in my milestones is that they either involve my passion for art or my love for animals. Design plays a key role in my life, but before graphic design there was art, drawing and music in my life.
The truths that I live by are:
Treat others how you would like to be treated. Also, there’s no such thing as perfect or 100%. So when someone says “I did my best,” it means they did the best they could in that situation and what they were able to bring to it. Sometimes people aren’t at their “best,” but they just have to make the best of it. Another truth I live by is to do what you love. I also live by the fact that you should pencil-in your plans, but don’t write them in pen. What I mean by this is you can plan out your entire life, but life happens and it doesn’t always end up like how you want or planned. So, I go by “penciling” things rather than make things permanent. Life is about changing, so being part of that is a natural flow of things.
The circumstances that seem to limit my ability to grow are:
There are a few things that limit my ability to grow and one includes me over thinking. Whenever I overthink, I lose sight of solving a problem and instead make a decision I am not satisfied with. Another circumstance is whenever I am stuck in a rut that is caused by my loyalty. Often I stayed in jobs for too long because I feel bad for leaving the job; either because of the co-workers or workload I’ll leave behind. Typically these jobs aren’t the best environments for me and I see another opportunity in the horizon, but I don’t take it because of my loyalty and fear of something new.
Treat others how you would like to be treated. Also, there’s no such thing as perfect or 100%. So when someone says “I did my best,” it means they did the best they could in that situation and what they were able to bring to it. Sometimes people aren’t at their “best,” but they just have to make the best of it. Another truth I live by is to do what you love. I also live by the fact that you should pencil-in your plans, but don’t write them in pen. What I mean by this is you can plan out your entire life, but life happens and it doesn’t always end up like how you want or planned. So, I go by “penciling” things rather than make things permanent. Life is about changing, so being part of that is a natural flow of things.
The circumstances that seem to limit my ability to grow are:
There are a few things that limit my ability to grow and one includes me over thinking. Whenever I overthink, I lose sight of solving a problem and instead make a decision I am not satisfied with. Another circumstance is whenever I am stuck in a rut that is caused by my loyalty. Often I stayed in jobs for too long because I feel bad for leaving the job; either because of the co-workers or workload I’ll leave behind. Typically these jobs aren’t the best environments for me and I see another opportunity in the horizon, but I don’t take it because of my loyalty and fear of something new.
I show the most resistance when:
I know I should be doing something, but am too lazy or anxious to get started. A.K.A procrastination. For example, I’ve been putting off cleaning my closet since it’s been a year since I organized it, so instead I would make excuses of other things I had to do that are more important and never do it. I ended up cleaning my closet recently, and it wasn’t so bad but procrastination made it worse and prolonged the annoyance I had with the project.
I know I should be doing something, but am too lazy or anxious to get started. A.K.A procrastination. For example, I’ve been putting off cleaning my closet since it’s been a year since I organized it, so instead I would make excuses of other things I had to do that are more important and never do it. I ended up cleaning my closet recently, and it wasn’t so bad but procrastination made it worse and prolonged the annoyance I had with the project.
I feel most liberated and free when:
I’m walking outside, drawing and designing for fun. When I walk outside, I am more connected to nature and looking at the sky is relaxing to me. Whenever I go for a walk it’s usually when the sun is setting and the clouds are beautiful to look at with the saturated hues. With drawing, for fun, I sometimes just doodle what’s on my mind and it’s freeing to not worry about anatomy or if a client is going to like the composition because it’s just for me.
I’m walking outside, drawing and designing for fun. When I walk outside, I am more connected to nature and looking at the sky is relaxing to me. Whenever I go for a walk it’s usually when the sun is setting and the clouds are beautiful to look at with the saturated hues. With drawing, for fun, I sometimes just doodle what’s on my mind and it’s freeing to not worry about anatomy or if a client is going to like the composition because it’s just for me.
I know these things to be true about me:
I am creative, hard-working, loyal, driven, and sarcastic.
I am creative, hard-working, loyal, driven, and sarcastic.
I know these things to be my greatest distractions:
Youtube videos about things I like such as video games, horror, music, and makeup. Whenever I get distracted, it’s usually stemmed by procrastination.
Youtube videos about things I like such as video games, horror, music, and makeup. Whenever I get distracted, it’s usually stemmed by procrastination.
I would love to improve these aspects of myself:
Being more motivated, disciplined, and having time-management skills. I also would like to know more about my craft in graphic design such as animation and overall better skillset. Another aspect of myself I’d like to improve on is my need to overspend money.
Being more motivated, disciplined, and having time-management skills. I also would like to know more about my craft in graphic design such as animation and overall better skillset. Another aspect of myself I’d like to improve on is my need to overspend money.
I'm most self-critical about:
My artwork and designs. I get tired of my work easily and yet I like to revisit works because I always see room for improvement.
My artwork and designs. I get tired of my work easily and yet I like to revisit works because I always see room for improvement.
These things inspire me the most:
Music, graphic design, typography, illustrations, packaging design, video games, books, shows, anime, Pinterest, Halloween, colors, makeup,
Music, graphic design, typography, illustrations, packaging design, video games, books, shows, anime, Pinterest, Halloween, colors, makeup,
I love:
Graphic design, drawing, coffee, my family, my pets, food, crystals, holographic stuff, music
Graphic design, drawing, coffee, my family, my pets, food, crystals, holographic stuff, music
I'm most proud of these accomplishments:
1) Getting my English and Graphic Design degrees
2) Working at IKEA
3) Winning an International Design Award
4) Raising my dog, Naomi
5) Being able to buy my own Apple desktop
1) Getting my English and Graphic Design degrees
2) Working at IKEA
3) Winning an International Design Award
4) Raising my dog, Naomi
5) Being able to buy my own Apple desktop
My strongest life skills are:
Problem solving, self-awareness, creative thinking, listening skills, positive thinking, detailed-oriented
I place my faith in:
Myself and the universe.
I dream about:Myself and the universe.
Being a graphic designer for packaging products, earn more money to live on my own (with my pets), and just overall becoming a better well-rounded person everyday.
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