Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Avila.
Daniela, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a graphic designer? What?? Being a part of the creative industry was never something I thought I would do. Growing up, I didn’t even know that was a thing. I viewed my artsy tendencies as nothing more than just a hobby. I took abstract photos on my phone’s camera, made elaborate bracelets from safety-pins and crafted little pots out of play-doh all for the fun of it. Never once did I consider being a creative as a lifetime career.
With this mindset, I chose an Accounting major at the University of Miami. Yes. Accounting. I was miserable. I did not enjoy math enough to make it my entire life. After a rough calculus class, I was forced to choose a different major. I read through all the options each school at the University had to offer and came across something called Creative Advertising. I didn’t know what that was, but I liked that it had the word creative in it. In this major, I found my true passion for graphic design and photography. I could use my interests and skills to create something that didn’t just look pretty but revolved around a strategy. Finding a purpose for my creativity was absolutely thrilling. Because of this realization and the hands-on lessons from my brilliant professors, I truly enjoyed my classes for the first time in my college experience.
Immediately after graduating, I got a job as a graphic designer and simultaneously began my freelance career. Now I get to work on branding, photoshoots and even digital illustrations for various clients. Absolutely none of this would have been possible without God’s grace and the support of my family. While in school they encouraged me to find something I was passionate about and go for it. Today, my husband is my number one supporter and my daughter is my inspiration to grow every day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I truly believe that without a challenge or some bumps in the road there is no growth. Facing setbacks is obviously not fun, but it’s absolutely necessary to gain experience. Overcoming challenges can help sharpen certain skills and can even lead to learning something new about oneself.
Over time I realized that my greatest struggles stemmed from insecurity. I would constantly compare myself to my peers. This ultimately bred self-doubt, which led to various missed opportunities and semi-awkward networking events. Eventually, with a lot of support and pep-talks from my husband, I learned to turn my insecurity around and view the work of others as inspiration rather than competition. This also led to the realization of how important it is to surround yourself with the right people who will encourage you in the right direction.
Although the road hasn’t been completely smooth, I can say that this has been a fulfilling journey and I don’t regret facing the difficulties I encountered. I honestly feel very blessed with the life that I have and look forward to future opportunities.
DanielaAvila.com – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a graphic designer, I have a passion for creating simple yet compelling designs that offer meaningful solutions for my clients. I specialize in four areas: branding, illustration, photography and simple animations— all with the focus on helping my clients reach their goals. I can help with anything from logo and brand development to product and lifestyle photography to visualizing data reports to website design. I also enjoy creating invitations, custom illustrations, and icons. Developing a relationship with my clients is key to understanding the style and aesthetic that will work best for their vision.
On a personal level, I love taking photos of the cities I visit and documenting them on my Instagram account. To date, I have images from Miami, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, and Washington DC. This is a way for me to challenge myself creatively and hone in on skills that will help grow and refine my freelance business.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment has to be when I looked back at all that I have been able to accomplish since starting my career. I began with no real experience in photography or graphic design, and to see how much I’ve improved over a short time is an accomplishment that reaffirms I’m doing exactly what I should be doing career-wise. Along the way, I had doubted how far I had come, but to see the culmination of how my work has developed has given me a sense of pride and confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danielaavila.com
- Email: davila818@gmail.com
- Instagram: _danielita
- Other: https://dribbble.com/_danielita
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