Today we’d like to introduce you to Becca Bartlett.
Becca, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I originally wanted to go into sports marketing for events, I love the environment and just having someone look at their surroundings and say how cool it was. But I took my first business class at Kennesaw State University and I hated it. I learn that I don’t like the business sides of things. A semester later, I decided to minor in marketing and major in graphic design. So now, I can create what goes into an environment. I will finally be graduating this semester, Fall 2019. It has taken me seven and a half years to finish school and it is probably the biggest and longest challenge I ever done in my life. Only because of other life events that gets in the way. I also spent six years living in McDonough, so I would drive Monday through Thursday to Kennesaw and work as a waitress/ bartender on the weekends. I took small side jobs for my freelance to have for my portfolio and to make some extra cash. My first one was for a book cover and one that has been in the making for a while now are menus for a restaurant in Stockbridge.
For my last semester, I decided that I wanted to live out of my car. I’m moving out of the state come January and didn’t care to sign a lease for another year. I’ve traveled a lot this year, I love just going up to Helen in the mountains and hiking or just seeing new places in general. I’m also not wasting four hours a day driving through Atlanta traffic going to and from school. It’s been about four months and with all the things I’m doing my final semester with my last classes, President of the Graphic Design Club, and intern; I’m glad I did it. I always have something to do with my time. Sometimes I feel like there’s not enough time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh no, I don’t think it’s ever smooth for anyone. School was fine. There were hiccups like I didn’t get in the program my first time around. So I worked all Summer to resubmit. That pushed me back a semester and why I live out of my car now. But living out of your car makes you appreciate the little things. My sister and I were also kicked out of our house while I was in the middle of finals week. I’ve been in a car accident and did not have my car for about two months of a semester while I was traveling through Atlanta four days a week. Of course, there is always family issues that’s added to the equation. All of these were the challenges I had to take while in school. I’ve been through way too much to just give up. They’re like distractions, I’ve had so many people tell me to take off school and fix the “issues” first. Thankfully I have amazing friends and family that helped and supported me through this journey. You learn a lot about the people around you and about yourself when life decides to throw surprises at you.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As of right now, I intern at Create! Graphix located in Kennesaw. I also do freelance through Becca Bailie, I’m still relatively new. I’ve done a few side pieces. I’ve worked on a lot of menus. Drink menus, dinner menus, dessert menus, I actually really enjoy doing menus though. Crazy how much thought goes into what you order off of. I’ve done a few logos for some buddies. I’m proud that the clients I’ve had have been happy with their experience. I think that’s what sets me apart from other, I want my clients to be excited and feel included with design process.
What were you like growing up?
I was a pretty shy kid. Even as a cheerleader all through middle school and part of high school, a lot of people didn’t even know that I was a cheerleader until we had to wear uniforms during school. I didn’t start coming out of my shell until the end of high school. I think that was because I’m hard of hearing and I hate wearing my hearing aids, so when people first hear the way I talk, they get thrown off. She people still ask questions, I don’t mind telling them now that I don’t wear my hearing aids, I think before I was just embarrassed. Now I don’t mind doing presentations or calling people or really anything.
Personality-wise now, I’m more outgoing and willing to talk to people. More of a social butterfly, I just want to help as much as possible. That’s why I wanted to become part of the Graphic Design Club. I want people to know what I didn’t know getting into the program and getting ready to graduate.
Contact Info:
- Website: beccabailie.com
- Phone: 7702356064
- Email: beccabailie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beccabailie/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-bartlett-32a006134/
Image Credit:
Charlie Sommers, Michaela Cooper
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