Life Lines: One Designer's Journey to Pursue Call
We've been writing quite a bit over the last few months on B L A N K about the struggles designers face when following their God given passions and dreams. What does it look like? Is it painful? Can we leave where we are to get where we're called to be and still put food on the table? How do we do it? We've talked a lot of theory, but very little practice. So, we thought it would be encouraging to everyone to hear the weekly deep thoughts, intense struggles and mundane issues that come up when one makes this leap of faith. That's why we asked Mollie Johanson, a graphic designer, to share her journey with us. I hope our series called "Life Lines" will give you hope, laughter and insight as you explore the heart and soul of design. - Frank McClung, B L A N K Coordinator
A few months ago I left my full time job in a leap of faith that I knew God wanted me to do. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the place that I seemed to have landed from that leap. Now, as things are starting to settle, I've been asked to share updates on how the weeks are going. As expected, there have been good weeks and bad. One day, after completing the things I had been working on, I was asked if I was relieved to be done for a bit. I replied that yes, it was nice to not have a deadline hanging over my head, but no, because there was nothing coming up and that made me a bit uncomfortable. Within hours I received a phone call and an email about two small jobs. By the end of the week, I had four small jobs. It was such a clear word from God telling me to keep trusting him, that He is looking out for me.
So as I continue to learn, be blessed, and be challenged, I hope you'll join me as I go through this process. This week has been a busy one, so here goes...
One of the plans I had for my "break," was to take some more classes. On Monday I started a literature class needed for furthering my education. It's an independent study class, and although I've done plenty of classes like this before (plus I was homeschooled from K-12), this has already proven to be a challenge. I know that I will be busy, but I think this will end up being a wise choice.
I agreed to help my dad with tropical illustration for the back of a shirt that his company is having embroidered for a convention. As I'm a family member, he told me that he didn't know if I would be paid (they have a strict ethics code), but I took it on because I knew that it would help him, and really, it could benefit me. This is big experience that will be worth it (I guarantee you've heard of this company). Not to mention, two of my now regular clients have come out of my doing something to help someone out. This is the best kind of self-promotion I've had. In the midst of working on this shirt project, I've found out that I may actually get paid for it!
Mid week I got an email from someone that I did a project for a few months ago, and he has another project for me. This one is bigger than the first, and will be my biggest project as a freelancer. Wow! Mingled in with this and the other things I'm working on, I had a few more of those small jobs that like to trickle in, plus another possible lead. This has been a week blessed with work. (To keep me humble, my baby sister just spewed on me while writing this...nice.)
With the craziness of life, and the increased work this week, I was unable to meet my goals for my portfolio site this week. My ultimate goal of having it completely finished by June 1 is looking harder to attain, but still possible. Who needs sleep, right?
That wraps it up for this week. God has been faithful in sending me education, work and family, and I am reaffirmed daily that I made the right choice to follow His lead. I know that it may not always be as loud and clear as it has been this week, but I'm willing to wait and see what God has planned.
A few months ago I left my full time job in a leap of faith that I knew God wanted me to do. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the place that I seemed to have landed from that leap. Now, as things are starting to settle, I've been asked to share updates on how the weeks are going. As expected, there have been good weeks and bad. One day, after completing the things I had been working on, I was asked if I was relieved to be done for a bit. I replied that yes, it was nice to not have a deadline hanging over my head, but no, because there was nothing coming up and that made me a bit uncomfortable. Within hours I received a phone call and an email about two small jobs. By the end of the week, I had four small jobs. It was such a clear word from God telling me to keep trusting him, that He is looking out for me.
So as I continue to learn, be blessed, and be challenged, I hope you'll join me as I go through this process. This week has been a busy one, so here goes...
One of the plans I had for my "break," was to take some more classes. On Monday I started a literature class needed for furthering my education. It's an independent study class, and although I've done plenty of classes like this before (plus I was homeschooled from K-12), this has already proven to be a challenge. I know that I will be busy, but I think this will end up being a wise choice.
I agreed to help my dad with tropical illustration for the back of a shirt that his company is having embroidered for a convention. As I'm a family member, he told me that he didn't know if I would be paid (they have a strict ethics code), but I took it on because I knew that it would help him, and really, it could benefit me. This is big experience that will be worth it (I guarantee you've heard of this company). Not to mention, two of my now regular clients have come out of my doing something to help someone out. This is the best kind of self-promotion I've had. In the midst of working on this shirt project, I've found out that I may actually get paid for it!
Mid week I got an email from someone that I did a project for a few months ago, and he has another project for me. This one is bigger than the first, and will be my biggest project as a freelancer. Wow! Mingled in with this and the other things I'm working on, I had a few more of those small jobs that like to trickle in, plus another possible lead. This has been a week blessed with work. (To keep me humble, my baby sister just spewed on me while writing this...nice.)
With the craziness of life, and the increased work this week, I was unable to meet my goals for my portfolio site this week. My ultimate goal of having it completely finished by June 1 is looking harder to attain, but still possible. Who needs sleep, right?
That wraps it up for this week. God has been faithful in sending me education, work and family, and I am reaffirmed daily that I made the right choice to follow His lead. I know that it may not always be as loud and clear as it has been this week, but I'm willing to wait and see what God has planned.
posted by mollie at 12:13 PM
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