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Did I always want to be a designer? I wouldn’t say always because there were a few times where I wanted to be a teacher (that would have been a terrible path) or an FBI agent (inspired by Dana Scully), but it has been there in the back of my mind. I paid attention in art classes and read a lot, would examine book covers to figure out any clues that the designer hid. However, there was a problem: I can’t draw. Stick figures I’m cool with, I can copy a 2-D drawing of Yoshi if I pay attention, and even did a half-decent replica of Tim Burton’s Voodoo Girl. But my own drawing from something that appeared in my head? Nope, not going to happen.

Instead of trying to learn how to draw, I retreated to my number one skill set: I have read a lot of books and became an English major. I would try drawing and its cousin painting in high school as part of a technical theater crew. In college, I would even break out some cheap tools when I had some time to kill or have a strong “I want to draw” phase. However, I knew my talent was limited and picked up something I liked as a child but was expensive: photography. In the age of digital cameras, I was able to utilize the creativity that was always there.

During this time, I acquired many artistic skills: photography, bookmaking, and graphic design. After years of assuming that I needed drawing skills to learn graphic design, I signed up for a class at my school and I LOVED IT. I was learning the design aspects of Photoshop and the Illustrator and InDesign programs that looked intimidating. I was learning how to build a brand and how to work as a member of a design team. Even though I loved it, I put the skills I learned in a “Things I Learned Because They Looked Like Fun” box and went to graduate school.

Now, I know what you must be thinking. How did you get from grad school to Codette Club? Easy, the level above imposter syndrome called “I know my skills aren’t there, it’s not in my head.” I graduated with my Masters in English but knew my analytical skills and mental health weren’t fit for a PhD program. I did what a lot of people in the Millennial group have done: move back home, get a job, and figure out what to do next.

I’m a little fuzzy on how I came to learn to code but it took six months between the thought came in my head and when I signed up for Skillcrush. I did their Web Designer blueprint because it allowed me to be creative and I have a minor obsession with wireframes. I knew I was doing the right thing when I found myself following design sites on Twitter, checking out reading lists on design, and found myself being critical of the design work that saturates our visual world.

Along with design, I learned HTML and CSS (teenage me with my MySpace-level “coding” squealed) and loved how much could be done if you have those two skills. I have tried to go further into development with JavaScript but it hasn’t worked out. I’m comfortable with what I’ve done and feel confident in creating a quality product.

I’m aware my path to design and coding isn’t “conventional,” but you will learn there is no such thing as conventional anymore. While I have multiple degrees not in tech, I know my ability to deconstruct a book allows me to examine a brand critically and see how they are using their design work as a way to stimulate emotion from the user.

Remember that the path you’ve taken to this point informs the way you see the world whether you’re in design or development. No one has taken the exact same path you’ve taken and no one is going to have the same thoughts and ideas you have.