MEET MADDIE
At the beginning of February I connected with Maddie and she excitedly took on the final part of The Giving Gifts visual rebrand working on a new logo and icon set that I’m sure you’ve seen! From the first conversation I had with Maddie it was very clear that she has a passion for caring for people and a gift of really listening and bring to life the vision others hold and after experiencing Maddie’s gifts first hand I was very excited with her openness to allow me to share a little bit of her story.
Meet Maddie, a San Diego-based, Colorado-native, graphic designer whose creative journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion. From her early days sprawled on the living room floor with a sketchpad to navigating the unexpected turns of a pandemic, Maddie's story is one of evolution, self-discovery, and a profound connection to the heart of creativity.
Early Years and Artistic Roots
From the moment Maddie could hold a pencil, her artistic roots began to take shape. Drawing became a second nature, setting the stage for a future filled with creativity. In college, she pursued Architecture, believing it to be the perfect blend of art and technicality.
The Pandemic Pivot
As COVID-19 swept across the globe, Maddie faced a pivotal moment in her life. A layoff led to newfound free time, and she seized the opportunity to explore digital art, sharing her creations on Instagram. What started as a personal journey soon evolved into something much more profound.
From Artist to Designer
Maddie's initial pursuit of being an artist underwent a significant shift. Realizing her true passion lay in connecting with people and helping them bring their visions to life, Maddie embraced her role as a graphic designer. The joy she found in assisting others mirrored her favorite life moments—deep connections and shared passions.
Creativity and Self-Care
Navigating creative burnout is no small feat, and Maddie is no stranger to its challenges. She recognizes the importance of a clear, calm mind for creativity to flourish and actively prioritizes rest, meditation, and self-care as essential components of her creative process. “This is a beast to tackle! I feel creatively drained most when I am overwhelmed and my mind is full of racing thoughts. Maintaining a clear, calm mind is crucial for creativity. Prioritizing rest, meditation, and self-care is extremely important.”
Balancing Creativity and Capitalism
Turning creativity into a business is tough to say the least, and Maddie has learned valuable lessons along the way. Consistent breaks, weekend get aways, and time in nature are some of her resets. Balancing creativity and capitalism is an ongoing process, and Maddie is navigating it with intention.
Encouraging Young Creatives
For aspiring young creatives, Maddie has a resounding message—”do it!” Embrace your talent, step into it fearlessly, and trust the process. Maddie believes that the universe guides those who pursue their passions, leading to serendipitous moments, fulfilling experiences, and valuable life lessons.
Dream Redesign: Dr. Bronner's Visual Identity
In the realm of redesign, Maddie sets her sights on Dr. Bronner's. While appreciating the brand's natural and organic ethos, she envisions a visually stunning makeover for the product's information-laden packaging. Maddie's commitment to working with brands aligned with her values shines through. Imagine, we all send this to Dr. Bronner and make their confusing packaging a whole lot cleaner and cuter, let’s do it!!!
Something I love about the possibilities within The Giving Gifts is having a space to connect others through story. If there is anything that encouraged you, inspired you, challenged you, I hope you will give Maddie a follow and connect with her yourself! Need a rebrand, a new design, know someone who does, you know who to reach out! Maddie, thank you for everything, may you know that your gift will continue to have impact and that I am so thankful for you!