Designing with heart & mind
My path to becoming a freelance graphic and web designer
Driven by my fascination for design, my path led me through various stages to become a freelance graphic and web designer. Here I tell the story of my development, which ranges from the combination of design and education to the change in prepress and my mission as a media designer with heart.
Creativity - my compass
My development into a freelance graphic and web designer reflects my deep-rooted passion for creativity and design. Even in my youth, I was fascinated by all forms of artistic endeavour - be it drawing, crafting or designing. After leaving school, I was faced with the decision between training as an advertising technician or pursuing an academic path in art or design. In the end, I decided to study, but my enthusiasm for design remained unbroken.
Pedagogy and design - a fruitful combination
A turning point was my civilian service in an integrative kindergarten, which opened up new perspectives for me. It inspired me to successfully complete a double degree in education for primary and special schools, which enabled me to combine my love of design with the joy of teaching - my teaching career gave me the opportunity to develop my diverse interests. During this time, however, I also discovered my passion for the practical realisation of my ideas in the context of graphic design and typography.
Professional experience - from analogue craftsmanship to the digital era
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work in a newspaper typesetting department during my studies - a place where texts are set or arranged and put together in a specific layout. During this exciting time, I experienced the change from analogue craftsmanship to digital screen work in pre-press at first hand. This experience shaped me: I learnt to work efficiently, to deliver the highest quality and to remain calm and goal-oriented under pressure. I found a permanent position in this company for ten years, during which I continuously expanded my skills and at the same time discovered my enthusiasm for digital processes.
Inspiring diversity - creative development
Photography and typography, film and music, art and digital media - these areas inspired me and became important components of my creative development. Word of my creativity had already spread during my studies and I was able to win my first clients for whom I designed and realised logos, flyers and business stationery. Alongside my jobs at school and in prepress, I had started to design websites for selected clients on my own, without any formal training, but as a self-taught designer. The desire for more autonomy and flexibility in my professional career grew and made me take the step into self-employment as a career changer - because I found the courage to take a risk and because I had long realised that I wanted to go my own way. The urge to shape my own life simply became too strong.
Starting out as a freelancer - your own success
In 2007, I took the plunge into self-employment as a freelance graphic and web designer. With a loyal client base behind me and a growing pool of expertise, I continued to develop. Thanks to my sensitivity for design trends and my distinctive creativity, I was able to constantly expand my knowledge and experience in graphic and web design.
Media design with heart - my mission
Today, with over 25 years of experience in media design, I am proud of my diverse clientele, who appreciate my work and constantly offer me new challenges. Whether for large companies or small start-ups, every project is a matter close to my heart. I am also involved in voluntary work, particularly in the field of nature conservation, where I contribute my skills. I look to the future with fresh enthusiasm and creative vigour and look forward to the next few years in which I will continue to use my expertise and passion for design to make the world a more beautiful and inspiring place.
