I still remember the first time I stumbled upon Cynthia’s amazing artwork: it was 2018 on Instagram and she was in the middle of a 100 day project, creating portraits of women who rock (you can see the entire series collected here).
Since then, I’ve gotten to know her well: I’ve chatted with her one-on-one in a portfolio review and she was a standout student of my Pitch Your Portfolio course. So it’s an honor to be sharing her story with you today!
Please join me in welcoming her as our spotlight designer for January.
Please Introduce Yourself
Hi! I live in Los Angeles. I have been a graphic designer, working for different industries, in print and digital for over 20 years and have been working towards doing surface design for the last 5.
Tell us a little bit about your design journey.
Working as a graphic designer, I would often use patterns and illustrations in my design solutions. When I stumbled upon the Print and Pattern blog, a new world seemed to open up to me — it looked like there were designers doing more of the fun part of design and I wanted to be a part of that! I took a surface design class through the continuing education program at Art Center at night here in LA and was officially hooked!
What did you struggle with most as a new designer?
The biggest struggle is finding work, and work that pays you what you are worth!
What advice about the surface design industry has been most helpful to you in your career so far?
Be consistent and never stop sending work out.
What has been your favorite client collaboration to date and how did you find them?
Design House Greetings. They were one of my dream clients so I was over the moon when I was able to collaborate with them! I found them from seeing other designers collaborating with them but it was my birthday pancake illustrated recipe on They Draw and Cook that caught their eye.
When you look back at your design journey so far, what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my own growth as an illustrator. I used to see illustration out in the world and wonder how the artist would decide what to draw or how they got a consistent style, etc. I feel like I have finally gotten to a point in my artistic journey where I can now make things with joy, not stress or self-doubt and it comes very naturally.
Where do you see yourself in your career three years from now?
In three years, I would very much like to be making a living full time as a surface designer/illustrator.
What advice would you give to surface designers who are struggling?
Just keep moving forward.
Time management and goal setting have been huge obstacles for me, so I get it. Make one goal and stick to it!
Where can we find you?
Website: www.cynthiajacquette.com
Instagram: @cynthiajacquette
P.S. If you’d like to be featured on the SDR blog, you can always submit your story right here!
Thank you for sharing your experience and process Cynthia!
Awesome article and great advice! I love Cynthia’s work!!!