Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Powers.
Hi Taylor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Ever since I was a little girl, I always had a paintbrush or crayon in my hand. Art was my passion and it all began with simple coloring books. As I got older art became a hobby I did for fun and extra cash on the side, but I never saw it as a career choice. At the age of 13, students are pushed to choose the career path they will follow for the rest of their lives and I chose Forensic Science because of my obsession with murder mysteries and it seemed to please those around me. I soon began to realize that I didn’t enjoy math or science when my future would be surrounded around both in the criminal justice field. I knew I was going to miserable if I pursued it, so I decided I wanted to do what I love for the rest of my life: art. I went to tell my parents that I was pursuing the field of art for my future and they laughed in my face. I told my guidance counselor I wanted to change my curriculum focus and she told me no that “art isn’t a providable career”. Others told me I was going to be a “starving artist” and I should keep it as a hobby because that is all art was. I knew what I wanted and I went after it in full force. I have now graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at Nossi College of Art. Leaving my college with Academic All-Star Award, Most Creative Award, and the Talent Discovery Award. While in college I had an internship which is now my full-time job working as a Graphic Designer for MD Publishing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In the beginning, it started off very bumpy with everyone around me discouraging me and telling me to focus on a more “profitable” career. You would think that would make me think twice about my decision but it actually pushed me to work even harder towards my goal. In the end, I am extremely thankful for those moments because I don’t know if I would have been as motivated in the end.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I really enjoy the advertising/marketing side of Graphic Design. In my personal opinion, I think it gives more creative freedom because it is more conceptual thinking to attract the viewer’s attention. I also enjoy painting in my free time to express myself visually rather than expressing emotion for others through my design work.
My favorite piece of artwork is my Ocean Pollution Campaign. I designed three posters to show people just how much we are having an effect on the ocean life. I tried to put the viewers in the eyes of those living in the ocean. The theme is how sea creatures cannot see plastic as trash but as prey in an almost comical way without making fun of a very serious subject. There is a play on words and a play on the art material that speaks to most who view it. I am extremely proud of this piece because it caused me to go outside my own comfort zone and create content that can speak to anyone who views it.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be to try and get yourself out there as much as possible. I was lucky enough to receive an internship my senior year of college, but I wish I had tried harder to get it earlier to get even more experience under my belt. Also, most designers tend to enjoy one type of design in the beginning and stick to it without attempting other variations of design. My advice would be to venture out as much as possible. No one ever thinks they would enjoy the tedious work of typesetting a book or the long process of designing state park signage until you are forced to do it in school and realize a unforeseen love for it.
Contact Info:
- Email: taylorpdesigns@gmail.com
- Website: taylorpdesigns.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_tpdesigns/
Image Credits
Hayley Malone Photography
