How Embracing Rejection Can Be Good for Your Career
Nicole Borens shares with Squelo 3 pieces of great career advice.
Nicole Borens is an award-winning logo and digital designer in the financial industry from Chicago. She’s been in graphic design for more than 10 years and has worked with brands like UNICEF, PGA Tour and Toms Shoes. In her free time she runs her own Etsy store, Dungeons and Decals.
What does it take to get where you are today?
Tenacity, a love of design, and support from friends and family. It’s not easy to make it in such a competitive field as design. In times of enormous self-doubt, if it weren’t for the support of my mother, grandmother, and close friends, I might have scrapped it all and tried my hand at accounting.
You worked as a graphic designer for more than 10 years. When and how did you find your passion?
Growing up, art was something I enjoyed and had an inclination for. I loved to draw and was a huge fan of indie comic books. Graphic design felt like the natural option as a major and a career choice.
Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
Industry magazines like How, Communication Arts. I also find inspiration in other mediums, particularly music, film, and even just living life.
What 3 pieces of career advice would you tell your younger self?
1) Embrace rejection. It’s the catalyst for learning and improving.
2) Break often. Chill out and not only will the quality of your work improve, you’ll be a happier person as a result.
3) Know that it’s okay to say no to projects occasionally.
What does good graphic design mean for you?
To me, good graphic design is communicative, strategic, and aesthetically pleasing with no unnecessary fluff.
What’s your personal goal for 2016?
Do more yoga. Book a vacation some place far, maybe Australia or New Zealand. Keep 2 house plants alive simultaneously.
Connect with Nicole on Squelo.
Follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
