Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Anderson.
Hi Lindsay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is unique, but like many others, I lived with my grandmother for a brief time during my childhood.
She was an educator, leader of many organizations, and an amazingly creative woman. We did so many DIY projects on the weekends, where she would teach me how to sew, draw, paint, repurpose items and so much more. So my love for any hands-on activity really began in her home.
Through the years I would start with many projects and then have to take a break due to work constraints. People would ask me to make things, but I didn’t have the motivation or any ideas to do a full project. I actually thought I would never do anything creative again.
In March of 2018, everything changed when I became partially paralyzed due to complications of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). I had nothing to do, but sit on the couch and watch tv. During that time, I made the decision that if I would ever walk again I would first return to college and second start drawing again.
By May, thanks to physical therapy I was walking and painting again. I started playing around with programs such as Canva and Creative Cloud. It was the spark I needed to get me where I am today. Now, I am not only a biologist, but I am also a self-taught graphic and UX designer.
I work with mostly Adobe products, but I also have some knowledge of other programs. I am still in the beginning phase, but I love it! I’ll be starting the neuroscience graduate program at Ohio State in the fall, so I am hoping to continue as long as I can. It will be a great outlet.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
**TRIGGER WARNING**
I wish. I manage 3 mental health disorders (Bipolar Type II, PTSD & Generalized Anxiety Disorder), so for most of my life, I have been either in a mental health facility, dealing with chronic depression, or suicidal ideation. I have dealt with misdiagnosis, incorrect medication, and not being a good fit for doctors, but most of all the stigma is what kept me discouraged from getting the help I needed.
I also have had many abrupt changes in my life, so trying to stay grounded was really my first goal. I also have a son and being another that can really be present is really important so I have tried my hardest to be fully engaged with him as well.
So while trying to learn all ins and outs of graphic design has been a challenge. Most of the programs aren’t user-friendly and time-consuming to study.
However, the biggest challenge has been learning the business of freelancing. You have to understand, contracts, terms & policies, budgeting, pricing and so much more. I have been on my own road trying to really figure out the back stuff, also while working on projects.
I have had some interesting experiences thus far, but I am glad I am learning them in the beginning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself a visual designer who works with graphics, codes, and creativity! I enjoy UX design a bit more these days because I like to create an experience. I love to research and find solutions to problems or things that just need some tweaking to get the entire vision across.
I want to make sure I am able to get my style across as well. I am fun and outgoing, but I am also a biologist and like things that are polished and logical. So I am still cultivating a way to bridge the two. I think because of my STEM background I over-research to ensure that there is not a gap in how we can represent their brand in a unique/creative way that works for the client.
I am a firm believer that as a black woman, many people assume that I am incapable of doing the work. There are a lot of ideologies that so many people have even before they meet me, but I don’t change who I am, actually, I won’t change. I use this in my work, I am so proud and honored to meet and work with so many black women entrepreneurs.
I am versatile and will take the initiative to always learn, but mostly I am an empathetic person. I think in graphic design sometimes we can get stuck in the money, money, money. I don’t think about it at the forefront so it doesn’t cloud my judgment.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think social success is a learned behavior… Once you quiet the voice that tells you “you can’t do it, or it’s not perfect enough” then the success begins. We’re all successful in our own way, but once we learn to validate all of who we are, success just takes off.
Success is definitely an ebb and flow. It’s a lot of small things, I know that’s cliche… lol!
Pricing:
- $75 Consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindsaywithaa1.wixsite.com/lindsaywithaa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaywithaa_designs/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaywithaa_designs/
Image Credits
JWrightSnapped
