Meet Trailblazer Danielle Dohmen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Dohmen.

Danielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the sunshine state – Clearwater to be exact. I spent the majority of my childhood treading my Airwalks through the Florida woods and teaching myself how to draw. My creative interest followed me throughout the years and eventually into college. I hopped over to the other coast, attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with my B.F.A.

My path to Atlanta wasn’t the college graduate movie montage I hoped it would be. My mother – my best friend – was dying from breast cancer and I knew I needed to root myself in a new city where I could start my career. Atlanta felt like a comfortable place due to the fact that I was always a drive away from home.

As an Atlanta resident of ten years, this city is an important part of my life. I have a wonderful network of friends and colleagues that feel like family. My career path has taken me from advertising to consumer goods, e-commerce, the corporate world of Coca-Cola and now the luxury home space. I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a design chameleon; I can thrive in pretty much any environment – as long as there is something new to learn. And we all know there is always something to learn.

When I manage to find some downtime amidst the controlled chaos of life, I still enjoy the ol’ analog art-making. The heaps of art supplies that I’ve dragged along from apartment to apartment to house are worth it. They spark joy.

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?
Absolutely not. Between the aftermath of the recession and the known challenges of being in the creative world, it was not an easy road. The good thing is I have grit. And I don’t give up easily. What I’ve found to be the most difficult part of being a ‘creative’ is the fact that your value is subjective. It’s not math or science; there isn’t always a right or wrong answer. It takes a great deal of effort to develop and hone the skills that make you valuable and prove your worth. It’s even harder to actually believe in yourself. My advice to women and young women, in particular, is this: see yourself the way you want others to see you. Believing in yourself is the hardest trick in the book.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I place a lot of value on design that is simple, but smart. I enjoy perfecting my craft and creating things that not only feel ‘right’, but are also well-thought-out. Good color, typography, composition, and a strong concept. As a designer, I feel like my job is done when everything feels like it’s in its place.

I am currently an Art Director at a luxury lighting and furniture manufacturer. I’ve spent the past two years immersing myself in the industry doing some creative problem solving for a long-standing and great brand.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
At times, my childhood felt very DIY. I had a lot of room for creativity, wonder and honestly – making mistakes. As a textbook do-gooder, I never found myself in any serious blunders, but I had the freedom of feeling independent and self-motivated. I’ve found it very advantageous to have grown up in an environment that prepared me for the courage and ambition you need when you grow out of your Airwalks.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danielledohmen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddohmen/

Image Credit:
Danielle Dohmen

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