Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakyla Jones.
Shakyla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into design started back in high school when I enrolled in graphic design courses and first discovered the world of typography, digital art, branding, and creative storytelling through visuals. What started as learning the basics on computers quickly turned into a real passion. I spent hours creating logos, banners, flyers, and marketing materials, constantly pushing myself to improve with every project.
That passion opened the door to my first opportunity at Rebel Printing, where I worked on marketing materials for local businesses throughout the Edgefield, Johnston, and Greenwood areas. Being able to create designs for real businesses gave me hands-on experience and helped me understand how strong branding can truly impact a company’s image and growth.
After high school, I expanded into freelancing, designing custom clothing, tote bags, logos, mockups, and full brand identity visuals for clients and emerging brands. Over time, my work evolved from simply making graphics to helping businesses bring their vision and identity to life through intentional design.
Now, with three years of experience, along with awards and certifications in graphic and brand design, I continue to actively grow within the creative industry. Design has become more than just a skill for me — it’s a way to tell stories, build connections, and help brands stand out with purpose and creativity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say my journey in graphic design has been a pretty smooth road overall, but like any creative path, there have definitely been challenges along the way. As a freelancer and growing studio owner, a lot of what I’ve learned has come from teaching myself through research, practice, and real-world experience.
One of the biggest challenges is staying updated in such a fast-moving industry. Design trends, software, tools, and branding styles are constantly evolving, so I’ve had to spend a lot of time finding the right tutorials, learning new techniques, and investing in updated programs and subscriptions that allow me to create at a higher level. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the designing itself — it’s figuring out which resources, apps, and systems are actually worth using to help bring creative ideas to life.
Another major learning experience has been understanding how to properly run a design studio beyond just making visuals. I’m continuously learning more about branding strategy, client experience, marketing, business organization, and what people are truly looking for when they invest in a brand designer. That process has taught me that being a designer is not only about creativity, but also about adaptability, research, communication, and constantly growing your skills.
Even through the challenges, every experience has helped shape me into a stronger designer and entrepreneur, and I’m still excited to continue learning, building, and expanding within the design industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in graphic design and branding, focusing on creating visuals that help businesses build a strong and recognizable identity. My work includes logos, flyers, banners, social media graphics, marketing materials, and photo and video edits. I enjoy bringing together the visual elements that make a brand feel cohesive and memorable — from the colors and typography to the overall aesthetic and message behind the business.
A big part of my work is brand identity design. I love helping businesses create a look and feel that truly represents who they are, similar to how major brands like Apple or Gucci have visuals and branding that are instantly recognizable. For me, branding is more than just a logo — it’s about building consistency across social media, websites, marketing content, and everything a customer sees.
I’m known as both a graphic designer and a brand identity specialist because I focus on creating designs that not only look visually appealing, but also work together strategically to strengthen a brand’s presence. I pay attention to the details that help businesses maintain a professional and cohesive image across all platforms.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come as a freelancer and business owner. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience working with different clients and creative projects while continuing to grow my skills and knowledge within the design industry. I truly enjoy what I do, and being able to turn creative ideas into visuals that help businesses stand out is one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The biggest advocates and cheerleaders throughout my business journey have definitely been my family, teachers, and close supporters who believed in my creativity from the beginning. One of the people who had the biggest impact on me was my teacher and mentor, Miss Michelle Smith from Rebel Printing, who also gave me my very first opportunity working in the design field.
She played a major role in helping me grow as a designer because she pushed me to focus on the details and take my work seriously. She trusted me to help with real projects for local businesses, which gave me hands-on experience early on. Working alongside her taught me not only about graphic design, but also about teamwork, professionalism, pricing, finances, customer expectations, and the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a business. She was very honest and hardworking, and that helped prepare me for freelancing and eventually building my own studio.
My sister has also been one of my biggest supporters. She’s always encouraged me creatively, motivated me to keep going, and supported my business journey in many ways. The same goes for my mom, who has always believed in me and supported my goals from the beginning.
I’d also say one of my close friends has been a huge support system as well. She supports my content, encourages my creative ideas, and collaborates with me on projects. Having people around me who genuinely believe in my work and want to see me succeed has made a big difference in helping me continue growing both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/purposeidentitystudio/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpose.identity_studio_?igsh=MXFiZHNhZTkwYmY1bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LSLdgEjKL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@purpose.identity?_r=1&_t=ZP-96AvfrdD4ON
