Let me be real with you—I never planned to become a graphic designer. Graphic design is my passion now, but back then, I was just a nervous kid with a pirated copy of Photoshop and zero clue what I was doing. Growing up in Charlotte, I watched my dad work corporate jobs that never quite lit him up, and I knew I wanted something different. Something that felt like… me.
The Messy Beginning: When Everything Went Wrong
My first design attempt was a disaster. I’m talking total, cringe-worthy embarrassment. I was designing a logo for my friend’s small dog-walking business, and what emerged looked more like a drunk stick figure drew a dog wearing a party hat. Seriously.
But here’s the thing—I didn’t give up. Instead of letting that failure crush me, I laughed. I showed my friends. I learned. Every mistake became a weird, wonderful lesson.
Why Graphic Design Is My Passion: Falling in Love with the Process
Slowly, design became more than just a hobby. It became my lifeline. When relationships fell apart, when job rejections piled up, design was my constant. Each click, each vector, each carefully chosen color became a form of therapy.
I remember the first time a client cried after seeing their brand identity. Not dramatic tears, but those quiet, overwhelmed tears that say, “You understood me.” That’s when I truly understood that graphic design is my passion—not just as a skill, but as a way of connecting with people’s dreams.
The Charlotte Creative Hustle
Charlotte isn’t just a city—it’s a creative playground. From the street art in NoDa to the startup energy in Uptown, this place breathes inspiration. Some nights, I’d walk through Plaza Midwood, sketchbook in hand, capturing the raw, unfiltered energy of local businesses.
My design studio, Fortitude Creative, wasn’t born from a perfect business plan. It was born from countless coffee-fueled nights, from believing that every small business deserves a voice, a visual identity that screams “This is who we are!”
Imperfections and Growth
Want to know a secret? I still mess up. A lot. Some days, my designs look like they were created by a caffeinated squirrel. But I’ve learned that vulnerability is my greatest strength. Showing my process, my failures, my weird design experiments—that’s what connects me to other creatives.
Graphic Design Is My Passion: Building Visual Stories
Graphic design is my passion, but it’s also my greatest challenge. It’s watching a concept transform from a rough sketch to a living, breathing brand. It’s understanding that behind every logo is a human story waiting to be told.
Whether I’m designing for a local food truck or a tech startup, I’m not just creating visuals. I’m building bridges, telling stories, helping people see themselves in a way they never thought possible.
Beyond the Portfolio: Personal Reflections
Some designers talk about trends and technical skills. I want to talk about heart. About the times design saved me. About the community in Charlotte that believes in creating something meaningful, something real.
My journey hasn’t been linear. It’s been a beautiful, chaotic mess. And you know what? I wouldn’t change a single pixel.
A Note from the Founder: Graphic design is my passion. But more than that, it’s about human connection. One design at a time.
Let’s Connect
- Instagram: @FortitudeCreativeCLT
- Email: hello@fortitudecreative.com
- Website: [Fortitude Creative Website]
P.S. Got a crazy design idea? I’m all ears. Let’s create something awesome together.
