Architecture to Branding
I never thought I’d end up here. If you had told me in high school that I’d be running a successful graphic design business, working with clients I love, and leading a team, I probably would have laughed. For the longest time, that wasn’t the plan. The plan was hot shot architect – blueprints, buildings, and structured creativity.
But, life has a funny way of nudging (or, in my case, shoving) you in the direction you’re meant to go. My journey into graphic design certainly wasn’t a straight path. It was full of detours, late-night passion projects, and a lot of trial and error. And I do mean a lot. When I look back, I can see that every step brought me to where I am now.
I started my professional creative journey in architecture. It made sense at the time - I loved design, structure, and creating something tangible from nothing. The problem? I didn’t end up loving it the way I thought I would.
Don’t get me wrong, architecture is an incredible field, but something about it felt… restrictive. The creativity I craved felt boxed in by rigid rules and regulations, and very limited ability to test the bounds of the field. I found myself drawn more to the visual side of things - layouts, branding, digital art.
That’s when I started experimenting with graphic design. At first, it was just a curiosity, something to play around with between architecture projects. Maybe even build my design skills in a different way to help my architectural design skills. I taught myself the basics, diving into Photoshop, Illustrator, and any self-taught program I could get my hands on. I had no formal training in design, other than being a first-year architecture student and a high school graphics class. Just an obsession with making things look and feel right.
And then, something clicked.
I realised I was spending more time designing posters, logos, and brand identities than I was sketching out building plans. And I was enjoying it more. A lot more.
That was my first wake-up call.
Freelance, Side Hustles, and the Moment I Took the Leap
Like any rational person ignoring the obvious, I didn’t immediately drop architecture and run toward design. No. I told myself it was just a hobby, just something fun to do on the side.
I started taking on small freelance projects - logo designs for friends, social media graphics, little branding projects that didn’t feel like “real work.” But the more I did, the more I learned I was actually good at this.
And more importantly - I loved it.
What started as a side hustle quickly turned into something more. The demand grew, word-of-mouth spread, and before I knew it, I was juggling my architecture studies with more freelance design gigs than I could handle.
Then came the defining moment.
I had a choice:
Stay on the architecture path because it was the “safe” option.
Take a leap of faith and go all-in on something I was truly passionate about.
I chose the leap.
Walking away from architecture wasn’t easy, while I did finish my undergraduate degree. It was scary, uncertain, and filled with moments of self-doubt. But the moment I officially made the shift into full-time graphic design, everything started to fall into place.
From Freelancer to Business Owner
At first, it was just me. Taking on every project, learning everything on my own, figuring out how to turn my passion into something sustainable.
And then, my client list grew.
And kept growing.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just a freelancer anymore - I was running a business. I wasn’t just designing for fun; I was handling contracts, invoices, branding strategies, and larger-scale projects than I ever dreamed. The workload became bigger than what one person could handle, and that’s when I knew: it was time to expand.
Hiring my first employee was surreal. It was proof that this thing I had built wasn’t just a side hustle anymore; it was a real, thriving business. With an admin onboard, we started picking up larger clients, working on projects that pushed our creativity, and establishing myself as a trusted designer
What once felt like a gamble became one of the best decisions of my life.
Lessons from the Journey
Looking back, I see how every part of my journey shaped where I am today. Architecture taught me discipline and structure. My self-taught design days taught me resilience and adaptability. Freelancing taught me the importance of valuing my work and setting boundaries. And building a business taught me that success isn’t about finding the perfect plan. It’s about creating the path that’s right for you.
So, if you’re reading this and you feel stuck between what you should do and what you want to do – listen to yourself. Passion has a way of guiding you, even when the path isn’t clear.
Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that scare you the most.
And sometimes, taking the leap is the only way to fly.
The Road Ahead
Today, my business is growing, my love for design is stronger than ever, and I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
But the journey doesn’t end here. I know there will be more challenges, more growth, and more moments of doubt. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the risk is always worth it when it means chasing something that truly sets your soul on fire.
So, here’s to the twists, the turns, and the unexpected paths that lead us exactly where we need to be.
And if you’re on your own journey, figuring it all out one step at a time - just know that you’re not alone. Keep going. Keep creating. Keep believing.
You never know where it might lead.