Hi everyone, my name is Ashley!
I have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, and I am currently jobless. Here’s my hopefully short story…
I received my degree in 2015, and I’ve had a couple jobs since. They didn’t last very long, unfortunately. But, it was part of the learning process. I did’t feel I had really learned much about designing for print (I got my degree online, so it wasn’t very hands on), so it 2017, I enrolled in a couple courses at community college and learned more about the printing processes, and even how to operate a couple. So, this led me to a job at a print shop, where I did prepress work, and assisted with the printing press. I was there a year, and the company went under. Very mismanaged.
After that, I worked at a print and sign shop for just shy of a year doing prepress and extremely quick designs, like invitations, signs, banners, logos, etc… I liked the job and the people I worked with, but then COVID came to town and I have been laid off for 7 months so far. I live in an area that hardly ever has a job for a designer listed. (We are trying to relocate in the next 6 months, so hopefully it will be better). So, the majority of the work I have done has been print and prepress. Which is great, I love it, but everything is digital. I have been learning new skills while I’ve been laid off, and creating pieces for my portfolio, but I never get call backs for an interview. It really starts to wear on you.
So, I started an Etsy shop, just to see what it’s all about and maybe to start making some passive income. I bought a vinyl cutter, and I’ve been doing some work with that, and I just love it. So, I’ve decided that I don’t want to be a corporate robot and have to learn everything under the sun. I want to be my own boss. So, that’s where I am now. Trying to figure out life and what to do with my talents.
Other than that, I have fiancé (we have been together for 9 years, engaged for 1, and getting married October 2021), and we have a cat. (our other cat has been missing for 9 weeks, so it’s been rough). Thanks for reading!
