A graphic designer is a professional who assembles together images, typography, or motion graphics to create a piece of design.

These graphics are used primarily for published, printed, or electronic media, such as brochures and advertising.

Career: Graphic Design

What was your motivation for taking this career path?

I never thought of myself as artistic until college. And I never would have considered graphic design if one of my teachers in high school hadn’t asked me to work on the yearbook staff. But then I was hooked from pretty much day one! When I started college and decided to pursue graphic design, I learned that while designers use industry specific tools and have a very industry specific language—design is really about everything BUT design and that keeps it really interesting! Now, I’m motivated in my design career because my skills can be used everywhere. When working on design projects, I get to learn about so many other things. And the more genuinely interested I can be in those things, the better work I will be able to do. As a designer, you’ll truly never be bored!

What do you do on an average day?

I use my training in design every day, even on days when I don’t do much actual “design.” Design is more than arranging pretty pictures and fonts on a page—it’s a way of thinking strategically about a problem and coming up with a creative solution that meets your client’s needs. On an average day I’m working on multiple projects at once and jumping back and forth between them as I receive feedback to keep everything moving along smoothly toward the deadline. I create content for social media, write website copy, and restructure web layouts. I answer emails, track down photos, create mockups, and shoot video. And I Google a lot of questions and learn skills on the fly through YouTube tutorials!

How do you express your faith through your art?

I believe that we were all created to create. The fact that we can create is one of the ways in which we are created in God’s image. I try to remember that it’s a privilege to get to do what I do for a career, and approaching everything with that attitude makes a big difference when little annoyances come up during the day. I work closely with clients and other creatives in my work and I always do my best to treat them with courtesy and respect and come into every project with an attitude of helpfulness. I think these consistent and intentional day-to-day interactions are the best way to make God’s love known in the world.

Education: Walla Walla University
B.S. Graphic Design, minor in marketing

Employer: Museo Art Academy, Seattle

Alix Harris

Graphic Designer