2024 Year In Review

Somehow, December is already here! The older I get, the faster time seems to fly. This past year has been a whirlwind, and I’ve been spending some time reflecting on what 2024 has brought me. It’s been a different kind of year for sure. I’ve been working as a self-employed graphic designer part-time for the last three years, but this year, I had the opportunity to dedicate more time to my business. With this extra space in my schedule, I was able to refine my processes, explore new services, and take on some truly fun projects.

Business Highlights

23 Projects and Counting

This year, I worked on 23 projects! It’s been so fulfilling to collaborate with amazing clients and watch their ideas come to life.

Investing in Myself

With more time to focus on my business, I decided it was finally time to invest in the mentoring I’d been craving. Early in the year, I discovered the “Design & Prosper” podcast hosted by two seasoned graphic designers, Kris and Donna. Their advice spoke to me immediately, and I binged every episode—on my way to work, during my day job, and of course while designing at my desk.

They also offered a business and mentorship course called “The Academy,” where they shared their proven processes for running a successful design business. I took the leap, signed up, and spent 12 weeks diving into their course. The mentorship I received from Kris and Donna was nothing short of a game changer. It gave me clarity, confidence, and practical tools to elevate my business. This investment in myself and my work was one of the absolute highlights of my year. If you’re a business owner on the fence about mentorship, I can’t recommend it enough. The insights and growth it brings are invaluable.

I also tackled a big project for myself: redesigning my website! I switched to a platform that better suits my needs and am so proud of what I created. I’ve also started working on free resources to add to my website and am planning to blog consistently in 2025 (this post is officially my first entry!).

Expanding My Services

At the beginning of the year, I’ll admit, logo and branding design wasn’t my favorite. It even intimidated me! A lot of people assume graphic design is all about creating logos, but most of my work focuses on ad design, menus, flyers, and other marketing collateral businesses need regularly.

The thought of designing an entire visual identity for someone’s brand felt like a big responsibility. But when I came across Instagram accounts sharing “fake” creative briefs for practice, I decided it was time to face the challenge head-on.

These passion projects, paired with mentorship from Kris and Donna, helped me gain confidence and develop a process for logo design that feels natural. Fast forward to now—brand design has become my favorite kind of project! It’s a huge part of my business and something I’m truly excited to grow further.

A Special Project: The Hawood Inn

One of my favorite moments of the year was experiencing a client’s business firsthand. This September, I stayed at the Hawood Inn in Waskesiu. It was my first time visiting the area, and it gave me a deeper understanding of their brand and values. Exploring Waskesiu during autumn was magical—the golden leaves, the wildlife (I saw an elk and a bear!), and the scenic trails were breathtaking. Getting to connect with my client’s business in this way was a unique and memorable highlight of my year.

Personal Highlights

Making Time for Life

It’s so easy to get stuck in the daily grind, but this year, I made an effort to say yes to experiences that bring me joy. I went to three concerts—City and Colour, Hozier, and The Dead South (that last one was thanks to my cousin Darcy!). I also rediscovered my love of reading, finishing five books this year. While it might not sound like much, it’s a big jump from last year. I have a renewed love for the library—I love using the Libby app to find books and magazines. One of my goals for 2025 is to read more, both for fun and personal growth.

Living with Less Pain

On a deeply personal note, 2024 was a year of healing for me. After living with chronic pain from endometriosis for more than half my life, my excision surgery in 2023 was a turning point. For years, even simple things like going for a walk could trigger a flare-up. Now, I can enjoy those moments without constant pain. While I still experience fatigue, migraines, and other symptoms, this year felt like a breath of fresh air compared to what I’ve been through. I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made in managing my health.

Looking Ahead

One of my big goals for 2025 is to grow locally. Of course, getting more clients is a goal of mine—being a business owner and all—but I’m more focused on connecting with my community and meeting other local business owners. If you don’t know me IRL, I’m pretty shy and stepping out of my comfort zone can be a challenge, but I’m committed to putting myself in new situations to meet people and build relationships, even if it feels a little uncomfortable.

There are a few other exciting opportunities on the horizon, but I’ll keep those under wraps for now—you’ll have to stay tuned for next year!

To my clients and supporters—thank you for being part of my journey this year. Your trust and encouragement mean the world to me. Here’s to a new year filled with creativity, growth, and exciting opportunities. Cheers to 2025! 🎉