Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Conklin.
Mia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My pursuit of design grew out of a combination of my developing interests and an embracing of the gifts I’ve been blessed with. As a kid, my world was filled with stories, songs, the outdoors, and anything else that allowed me to use my imagination. Ballet was also a huge part of my life growing up, which taught me so much about discipline, creative expression, and beauty. The years I spent dancing actively influence how I approach design and life in general.
Outside of these artistic outlets, I have also always possessed a strong interest in academic subjects, which ultimately led me to attend Georgia Tech after graduating high school. The rigor was something I excelled in, but there was so much lacking within me, both creatively and socially. After a year there, I took a step in a different direction and transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design. My time there both confirmed and strengthened my passion for communicating visually, solving problems through design, and creating with my hands. I am currently seeking opportunities within the design industry, while also exploring other interests (yoga, sketching, making my own clothing) that bring me joy.
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?
There have definitely been some challenges to overcome along the way, and I know I’ll encounter more, but there’s so much value that has come out of those lower moments. As someone who sets high standards and seeks quality and meaning in everything that I do, I can also get caught up in the false idea that my worth is based solely on my performance. Having a part-time job while in school heightened that pressure and made finding balance between work and rest a huge struggle. Work within myself has been and still is needed in order to try letting go of my desire to control the things that aren’t up to me. In the midst of the more stressful times, I have learned the importance of maintaining a joyful spirit and expressing gratitude.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a multidisciplinary graphic designer passionate about translating what I find through research into playful, thoughtful design solutions. I believe my enjoyment of and care toward research allow me to really understand the problem or client and help me to arrive at real, unique outcomes. Making people feel something, whether it be nostalgic or childlike, is also something that I value, so much of what I do draws on the past or incorporates interactivity.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Receiving the Academic Achievement Award at my SCAD commencement ceremony was a special moment. Leading up to graduation, the pressure of finals and a job search was taking its toll. Being a recipient of this award was confirmation of the hard work and many hours put into getting my degree and working on my portfolio. It was also really lovely knowing that the decision was based on recommendations from my professors.
Contact Info:
- Website: miaconklin.com
- Email: miaconklin.design@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/miaconklin
- Other: dribbble.com/miaconklin
Image Credit:
Mia Conklin
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