We were lucky to catch up with Sandy Mays recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sandy, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Some of the biggest challenges designers have to overcome are fear, self doubt, and financial constraints, but for me, it’s time. Balancing self-care, financial responsibilities, and non-creative work can consume so much of our lives, we have little time to delve into the creative process. Finding time to be creative is an ongoing challenge. Yet ironically, the less time you spend thinking about the creative process actually helps cultivate creativity.
For me, nurturing my creative spirit is a deeply personal journey. I find inspiration in physically demanding activities. Sometimes it is skateboarding by the beach and absorbing some sunshine. Other times it’s simply spending time in nature. Although raising kids can be exhausting, being a parent can push you to think more creatively. When you become a parent, you get to be a child again! The unique experiences and perspectives gained from parenthood gives you a sense of vulnerability that can inspire creativity and expression. When was the last time you giggled in a ball pit or played with slime? Their presence rekindles my own childlike wonder and encourages me to approach projects with a fresh and uninhibited mindset.
However, one of my favorite sources of creativity has always been travel. Exploring different places and cultures exposes me to fresh perspectives. Conversations with people from diverse backgrounds fosters a deep sense of connection, helping me infuse my work with relatable themes. I’m fortunate to have amazing friends with an equally deep passion for exploration and adventure.
The combination of taking time for myself in nature, the simple joys of parenting and traveling keep my creativity alive. These experiences not only invigorate my work, but also enrich my life in countless ways, making the pursuit of creativity incredibly gratifying.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a passionate graphic designer who absolutely lives for the wide variety of projects I work on. I’m on a never-ending quest to discover new and exciting ways to represent brands through graphic design, and I make it my mission to take anything I work on to the next level. I love to help businesses liven up their branding or craft new logos that distill a brand’s essence. I excel at creating a completely new visual language that can be used for everything from digital media to oversized graphics. I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to work on major events for Google and Amazon, as well as creating smaller but equally meaningful UI projects for Tesla and Porsche. In the advertising world, I’ve led teams as an art director, associate creative director, and creative director. I love overseeing big projects, ensuring every detail is on point and in tune with the latest styles.
I recently wrote and illustrated my first children’s book dedicated to my beloved bulldog companion who is unfortunately no longer with us. “Blake and the missing treat” is a colorful and fun tale about a bulldog and two curious kids on a hunt for a lost treat in their jungle-like backyard. I also created swag that captures Blake’s personality; If you know bulldogs, you’ll know what I mean. Check it out at worldofsandy.com and please follow @theworldofsandy on IG to see more of my work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Be a nice person. Design is a collaborative effort from start to finish. The human element can be the trickiest part, particularly when dealing with individuals who aren’t respectful. Growing up, my father used to say that there’s always a witch in every story. I’ve embraced his perspective, striving never to be that challenging character. I’ve also taken after my mom in being a helpful person. Being a pleasant individual also requires fostering and maintaining professional relationships. When you face challenges with colleagues, either champion your perspective or gracefully disengage. I’m proud to share that every one of my past employers has rehired me for freelance work or recommended me to other clients. I consider myself fortunate, though I acknowledge that it’s not just luck. I’m a dedicated and flexible worker, always willing to go the extra mile.
2. Discover your passion; it’s okay to pivot, but always strive for personal growth. In today’s world, many of us now have positions that didn’t exist when we were growing up. It’s important to seek out that passion and nurture it. I’ve met immensely talented artists who questioned their ability to reach their goals. Constantly measuring oneself against others can be emotionally draining. Each individual is a one-of-a-kind entity, and it’s vital to celebrate what makes you unique. Steer clear of comparisons and focus on your unique strengths, all while holding onto your passion.
3. There are many paths to success. A lot of people stay in the same place because they think they have to. Most of us are very lucky that we have choices. You can successfully transition between full-time and freelance roles. I used to exhaust myself working late at the office, aiming for recognition at top agencies, but I’ve come to realize that true success is balancing a professional career with quality family time. Having the ability to pick up my children from school and hearing their wonderful stories about the world, while still being able to put together a terrific branding project is so rewarding.
My journey has provided me with a wealth of experiences. My life wouldn’t have been as enriched if I had remained a full-time employee throughout my career. I can’t imagine not having the freedom I enjoy now—to travel and spend time with my family. Design will always be there, but my kids need me now. They will need me less as they grow up and maybe I will return to a more packed working schedule. The point of it all is achieving things as you desire them, not as others expect.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past year, the most significant area of personal growth has undoubtedly been my pursuit of joy. The pandemic forced me to reevaluate my priorities. I used to have this hustle mentality – the constant pursuit of a better title, a higher salary, or more clients, all demanding more of my time and energy leaving me without joy. I turned down a great position at a well known entertainment company because it did not make me happy. Initially, I worried that this would jeopardize my future employability. However, with the support of my family, I came to understand that my worries were misguided.
I have discovered a new direction that has ignited my creative talents even further. Ironically, in a world where AI art is booming, I’ve returned to traditional drawing and it has brought me incredible amounts of joy. I started during the pandemic, in between changing my 3-year-old’s diapers and helping my 6-year-old navigate kindergarten on Zoom. During those short moments, I found solace on paper and on my iPad, sketching tirelessly. Slowly but surely I was drawn back into the creative world I cherish, one filled with joy, vibrant colors and art. Finding joy is really what’s all about in life for me now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sandramays.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldofsandy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandymays/
- Other: https://worldofsandy.com/ (my shop)
