Meet Chelsea Johnson | Freelance Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
People have always said to me, “Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” I’m not sure where that quote came from or who quoted it, but it has genuinely affected the way I view the career path I have chosen to follow from just over the past couple of years. Growing up, I have always had some type of artistic skills from drawing pictures to writing short stories for fun to dancing on the drill team in High School. Being creative has always been something that has just “stuck” with me. It wasn’t until 2018, when I was standing in front of my 5th grade class I was teaching that I wanted to do something different with my life. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED my kids, but I always felt that I was meant for more. So, in February of that year I quit my steady job and started a graphic design career course and finished within the year. I knew at that moment graphic design and creating beautiful digital art and print was something I was meant to do. Since starting down this career path, I have come to the conclusion that I want to work for myself as a Freelance Graphic Designer. My husband calls me a “nerd” because I love all things tech and have found myself looking at graphics and logos in different ways now. Bringing my client’s ideas to life and seeing their eyes light up when they see the final product is so much fun and rewarding! I’ve always been the type of person who loves to make others happy, especially when they are down or having a rough day. Bringing joy to people through my designs is an amazing career path and I can’t wait to see where it takes me in the years to come!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Where do I even begin! First off, I’m so proud of where I have come. When I look at designs of business cards or invitations that I started creating at the beginning until now, I just look in awe of my growth as a designer. I have definitely learned a few things since those first few projects in my class. It definitely has not been an easy path though. From quitting a steady job to being a mom of three (youngest is only 8 months old) has definitely presented their challenges. I am overcoming these obstacles by working on my business in between taking care of the baby and taking the older kids to and from their after-school activities. My parents have also been a big help as well. While the two older kiddos are in school, my parents watch the little one while I get some things done. It has helped so much living close to my parents and I appreciate everything they do to help me out. Without them, overcoming these challenges would be much more difficult. As I have been going about this journey, I have learned to take projects when they come your way even if it’s just a small one. Being from a small town, there are many people that are creating the same type of products I am and sometimes it becomes discouraging. The “imposter syndrome” sets in and you feel people will not like your designs because you are not as “known” around the community as the other designers. I have learned, however, to stop listening to that voice and just create what you want and just continue to be the “bubbly” person that I am. My brand and my story are just in the beginning stages, but I know I have so much to offer. As a graphic designer, I want my brand to come off as fun and that it would bring lots of joy to people’s hearts. Being able to capture someone’s vision during a stressful time of wedding planning or having a baby and being able to be the person to create their invitation is so rewarding. Making people smile is an amazing feeling and I never want to stop making others happy!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the area I live in, I would definitely take them to San Antonio. Where I live, it’s two hours away, but it is totally worth the drive there. I would take them to Market Square and downtown San Antonio. While visiting downtown, we would go tour the Alamo and learn the history of the town. From the Alamo, we would walk down the Riverwalk and eat at several of the restaurants down there. Next, we might take one of the ferry boats they have cruising along the Riverwalk. The river boat is so much fun because you learn about so much of San Antonio’s history on the boat and see some pretty neat monuments and statures along the way. One of the days we were in San Antonio, I would take them to a “must” place to eat called Mi Tierra. The food is amazing and the decorations around the restaurant are so colorful and beautiful. I feel like I’m in Mexico every time I visit and I absolutely love it! In my view, San Antonio has such a rich history and many things to do that it would take you days to visit many of the fun places in town. My family and I enjoy going and always find something new and interesting to do when we go.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I dedicate my success and where I am at in my life to God. He gave me the abilities and skills to start down this career path and he guides me in all of my daily choices. I also want to dedicate my success to my parents. My parents have always encouraged me to do what makes me happy and have been supporters from day one. My dad is the one I attribute my computer skills to because of his 40+ years in the computer programming and tech world. He is the one that taught me the skills that got me where I am today. Last, but not least, I dedicate this shoutout to my husband and 3 beautiful kiddos. They are the ones that are my biggest cheerleaders. My kids are always encouraging me to continue even when I get frustrated when a design doesn’t turn out the way it was supposed to or I can’t figure out how to do something on the computer. It makes me so proud to think that I’m raising such wonderful and sweet kiddos. And to my husband: without him I would not be able to stay home with my new baby and start this incredible freelance business. He is the one who is allowing me to pursue my dreams of working for myself and doing something I love because he knows it’s a passion of mine. I’m so blessed and grateful for the people that I surround my life with. Without these people and other family members and friends in my life, I wouldn’t be able to continue down this career path.

Website: https://dezignsbychelsea.com/