Discovering Myself: Early Aspirations and Challenges
Growing up, I aspired to become a fashion designer or makeup artist. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and the idea of transforming things into something visually appealing. However, my family’s financial situation didn’t allow me to pursue those dreams at first. They suggested that further studies might not be the best option for me given our circumstances. Despite this, I was determined to pursue education, so I took matters into my own hands. I applied for a government college through counseling and secured an education loan to fund my studies. This was a huge step for me because, unlike the traditional path many follow, I had to push through not just financial barriers, but also the limitations others set for me. Little did I know that this choice would eventually lead me to a path of self-discovery.
Engineering Struggles: Trying to Fit In
When I began my B. Tech in IT, I quickly realized that I had entered a world that didn’t resonate with me. Coding and mathematics, the core components of my course, felt overwhelming and disconnected from what I enjoyed. My first two years were filled with backlogs and arrears, which became a constant source of stress. I struggled to understand subjects that my peers seemed to handle more easily.
It was frustrating. I put in effort, but the interest just wasn’t there. I found myself asking, Why am I here? What am I going to do with this degree? Like many engineering students, especially those who stay in hostels, life felt carefree on the surface, but deep down, there was anxiety about the future. Most of us were going through the motions without really understanding what we wanted from our careers. By the time we reached our third year, that carefree attitude faded, replaced by a growing fear of what was next.
A Moment of Clarity: My First Encounter with Visual Design
In my third year, when I was questioning everything about my future, a chance conversation changed everything. I met someone at the gym who worked as a visual designer. Curious, I asked them about their job, and as they explained it, I became increasingly fascinated. For the first time, I felt a sense of excitement about a potential career path. The idea of creating user-friendly designs that looked beautiful and served a purpose felt like the perfect combination of creativity and functionality that I had always been looking for. That night, I went home and started researching visual design. I explored everything from the basic principles of design to the tools designers use. This was a turning point. I wasn’t just reading passively; I was fully invested. I spent nights experimenting with Figma, following tutorials on YouTube, and learning the fundamentals of design. What struck me the most was how different this felt from my earlier attempts at learning. For the first time, I wasn’t forcing myself to study—I was genuinely enjoying it.
Realizing My True Passion: A Shift in Focus
It took me over four years to realize that my true passion wasn’t in becoming a fashion designer or makeup artist, but in creating beautiful, functional designs. It wasn’t just about aesthetics, but about transforming ideas into something tangible that could improve user experiences. I discovered that what I loved most was problem-solving through design—understanding what users needed and creating interfaces that satisfied those needs in a creative and visually appealing way.
I also realized that the academic system I had been part of didn’t help me discover this sooner. It was focused on subjects like coding and engineering concepts that didn’t resonate with me. I spent so much time trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t meant for me. Once I shifted my focus to design, I knew I had found something that aligned with my strengths and interests.
Building My Skills: The Journey to Freelancing
The next phase of my journey was all about building my skills from the ground up. I spent the past two years learning everything I could about visual design. I didn’t have a formal background in this field, so I relied heavily on self-study. Figma became my go-to tool, and I immersed myself in design tutorials, blogs, and courses to understand both the creative and technical aspects of design.
What I learned was that design is much more than just making things look good. It’s about understanding user behavior, solving problems, and creating intuitive experiences. I began to appreciate the depth of UX (User Experience) design and how it ties in with UI (User Interface) design. This understanding drove me to practice not only how to design aesthetically pleasing interfaces but also how to make them functional and user-friendly.
During this time, I started taking on freelance projects. Initially, they were small, but each one taught me something new. I worked on everything from designing websites to creating user interfaces for apps. Freelancing gave me real-world experience and helped me build a portfolio. It also taught me how to manage clients, handle deadlines, and refine my process.
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There were moments when I doubted myself, especially when I compared my progress to those who had formal design education or years of experience. The freelance market is competitive, and I had to learn how to stand out by showcasing not just my designs but also my thought process. Balancing freelancing with learning was another challenge. I had to constantly push myself to keep improving my skills, whether it was by learning new design tools, understanding design systems, or improving my understanding of user psychology.
Lessons Learned and Looking Forward
Looking back, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that we often discover our true passion by paying attention to what excites us the most. When I was learning programming languages like Java, I constantly found myself trying to skip the work. But when it came to design, I would willingly spend hours perfecting my projects. This showed me that the things we enjoy doing naturally are the ones we should pursue.
I’ve also learned that success doesn’t happen overnight. It requires persistence, hard work, and a willingness to embrace failure. Each setback I faced during my engineering years helped me gain clarity about what I didn’t want, which eventually led me to what I love.
Today, as I continue my freelance work in visual design, I feel more confident about the direction I’ve chosen. My work is now driven by creativity and a desire to solve real problems for users. The best part is that I’ve found a career that allows me to do what I’m passionate about every day.
Advice for Aspiring Designers
To students or anyone feeling lost in their career path, my advice is simple: explore different fields until you find something that genuinely excites you. Don’t be afraid to take a different route if your current path doesn’t feel right. Sometimes it takes time to discover what you truly enjoy, but when you do, you’ll find the motivation to keep going, even through the challenges.
And remember, it’s not about just running for the sake of it. When you run toward something you love, the journey itself becomes meaningful.
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