Finding the Right Career

Finding the Right Career

with Jorge, Graphic Designer

I started following Jorge on Instagram (@bearded.visions) because of our common love of skincare. He drew me in with his clean, simple aesthetic and to the point reviews.  He is a Graphic Designer, and it is very evident from his creations. Over time he has tweaked his Instagram account to reflect his talents in design. I love scrolling through his account because I learn something new every time. I thought it would be interesting to hear about his journey into Graphic Design and how he made a career out of it.

1. WHAT DO YOU WORK AS AND WAS THIS A CAREER YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?

I’m a freelance Graphic Designer and Art Director working in a variety of projects, like Corporate Identity, Editorial, UI and UX Design….but that was not the career I was originally pursuing. In fact, I studied Astrophysics at university in Madrid, where I’m from, way before I thought I could dedicate my life to something more creative.

2. DID YOU HAVE A SET PLAN FOR YOUR CAREER OR WAS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU DISCOVERED ALONG THE WAY?

It happened very naturally. While I was at university, already questioning if Physics was what I wanted to dedicate the rest of my working life to (like a lot of people who  go to university), I created my own personal blog, way before social media even existed! Designing my own website was something I enjoyed so much it opened the door to explore a secondary route I never thought I had. While I was attending workshops and other design-related courses, it became clear that’s what I really wanted to do. I needed a creative job and design felt very interesting and modern.

3. WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF IN TERMS OF CHOOSING A CAREER PATH?

Don’t be afraid to challenge your decisions if you think something else will make you happier, and don’t close any door because that crazy idea you might have in your head could lead you to something more interesting. You’re going to spend most of your adult life working, so it needs to be something you truly enjoy. It’s never too late to change careers if  you’re passionately feeling that’ll bring more joy to your life. It’ll be scary, and there’ll be doubts, but also a lot of satisfying moments. Don’t feel that just because at 17 you made a decision it can’t be changed.

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AND HOW DID YOU APPLY FOR IT?

It was an internship program during the time I was studying Graphic Design. I spent 3 months working for a creative studio, where I learned a lot about how to work in a creative environment, before moving to a small advertisement agency as a paid Junior Designer. Working for small companies was very beneficial. First, the environment is less overwhelming. But also, when teams are smaller the opportunities to be in all parts of the creative process are bigger, so it was a great learning experience that allowed me to control all parts of the job I was doing, from conception to delivery.

5. WHAT HAS BEEN MORE VALUABLE IN YOUR CAREER, YOUR EDUCATION, OR YOUR EXPERIENCE?

Definitely experience. We need to give education its credit, of course, but it’s the passion to evolve and hunger to learn new things at work what really took me where I am. University is a fantastic period of time that changed me on a personal level and gave me the tools to become the adult I am today, but professionally it’s at work where you really learn all about your career.

6. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WORST CAREER EXPERIENCE?

Once I accepted a role that was very interesting on paper, but that had nothing to do with what they said it would be. Not only was I not prepared for that role, but it made me very unhappy, and that frustration partially extended into my personal life. At the end of the probation period, I quit and found another job, where I had a wonderful time.

7. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN YOUR CAREER?

It’s important to know when to stop. Back in the day in Madrid, before I was 30, I felt a big part of that passion for design was gone, so I decided it was time for a break. I saved all the money I could, and moved to New York to study photography, one of my biggest passions. That opened my mind and brought back the creativity I needed before I moved to London, where I’ve been happily living and working since 2012.

8. WHAT WAS THE BEST JOB DECISION YOU EVER MADE?

Going freelance in 2019 was another pivotal moment in my career. I took my time until I felt I was completely ready to fly solo, but it’s been wonderful to have my own professional project. It also allows me to control my schedule better and take breaks when I truly need them, or work from home if that’s what I want to do. This is really important because, as contradictory as it might sound, I really appreciate my job because I haven’t made it the centre of my world. Finding that life/work balance is difficult sometimes, but absolutely necessary to feel I’m not missing something.

9. WHAT DOES JOB SATISFACTION MEAN TO YOU?

Meeting client’s expectations while surprising them with something they didn’t expect. I like challenging myself as well as my clients, because that means we’ve all learned something new in the process.

10. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER PATH, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It would still be something creative, either photographer or set designer. I’m approaching my 40s so maybe it’s a good time to reinvent myself and try something new.