Growing up, I was always drawn to the arts. Drama, musical theatre, painting, writing, fashion design, photography—all had meaning and purpose for me. Creativity fueled me, and I was happiest when channeling something from my imagination into reality. Throughout high school and Theatre Arts school, one thing remained constant: I was always doodling.

That simple habit eventually sparked my curiosity—how could I turn this love for drawing into something more? That’s when I discovered Graphic Design.

At first, the transition wasn’t easy.

I had always filled every inch of my sketches with intricate details, believing that more was always better, but in design school, I quickly learned that it is exactly the opposite. Graphic Design isn’t just about making something look good; it’s about intentionality. There is power in leaving space bare. Negative space isn’t empty—it gives a design room to breathe and enhances its impact.

This lesson was especially difficult before I started working digitally. Simplifying my art used to be a nightmare. I would often “overdraw,” filling a piece with too much detail, only to realize I had lost the core of what made it work. Without a way to step backward, I’d scrap the entire thing and start over. But once I got a drawing tablet, that changed. Suddenly, I had the ability to undo, hide layers, and refine my work non-destructively. It allowed me to draw freely and then pull back—to throw all the metaphorical laundry onto the bed and sort through what should stay and what could go. And if something had to go? It didn’t have to disappear forever—I could tuck it away for later.

More importantly, Graphic Design forced me to think critically about my work.

Every element had to serve a purpose. If something was there just for the sake of being there, it was clutter. This mindset didn’t just make me a better designer—it made me a better artist. Now, when I create, I ask myself: Does this add meaning? Does it enhance the piece, or is it just clutter?

Though I still have a ways to go, through Graphic Design, I have learned discipline, composition, and the value of restraint. It has reshaped the way I approach all my creative work, proving that sometimes, the most powerful statement is made in the silence of an empty space.