Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joanna Gonzalez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Joanna, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
The roots of my resilience lie in an innate adaptability to navigate the unknown, cultivated by the strong work ethic instilled in me since childhood, and a continued pursuit of self-discovery. I was raised in a Puerto Rican household in Brooklyn, NY, where Spanish was our main language. As I started school, I noticed a gap in my English and communication skills. However, I was unaware that I had ADHD, which was diagnosed later in my adult years. I always felt like I had to try so much harder than everyone else around me even if it was at my own expense. While the values instilled by society and my blue-collar, hard-working father, urging me to give my utmost effort, propelled me and opened doors beyond my younger self’s imagination, I also had to discover on my own the power of adaptability, looking within, and finding the patience to discern what works for me and what simply doesn’t, in order to truly thrive.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Visual communication is the natural language through which my mind interprets and expresses the world around me. I’ve been a graphic designer for 7+ years now with a focus in digital design, art direction, and branding. I’ve collaborated with a diverse range of companies and clients, from dynamic startups, small businesses, and nonprofits to established Fortune 500 companies, B2B enterprises, marketing firms, and the digital media industry. Above all, what truly ignites my creative passion is the power of visual storytelling and transforming complex ideas into immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that are memorable and make a positive impact. I love working with other creatives and teams to bring visions to life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three lessons that have guided me along the way are: remaining open when learning something new, nurturing self-knowledge, and embracing change with adaptability instead of fear.
1) Be open with your learning.
I’m a chronic student. Something I deeply believe in is to never stop learning, whether it’s within or outside my creative field. For example, if you’re a designer, you should definitely expand and hone your craft but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to confine yourself in that track. Read a book on psychology, cook a new recipe, engage with a different language, take a walk outside, whatever it is, approach it with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. I like to be receptive to what’s around me because I make connections in unexpected places, experiences, and sources. By exploring beyond my usual design focus, I not only enrich my creative process but also discover inspiration that enhances my work in surprising ways.
2) Know yourself.
Just as important as it is to learn about the things outside of one’s orbit, I have found it vital to deepen my self-knowledge throughout my journey and career. Having a guiding compass, understanding what ignites my sense of purpose and passion, and identifying my strengths while also acknowledging my challenges allow me to thoughtfully nurture an environment conducive to producing my best work and living a fulfilled life. While my goals may evolve over time as experiences reshape my perspectives, understanding this natural progression is important in order to move fluidly forward.
3) Don’t fear change.
Earlier, I mentioned the power of adaptability. Nothing remains stagnant forever – things inevitably experience peaks and dips, giving way to new technologies, cultural currents, and paradigm shifts that change our realities. It can feel daunting to let go of processes, styles, and even beliefs that once defined our craft. But I’ve learned that being adaptable is essential for my growth. Something to keep in mind is that growth is a non-linear process. There may be times when you have to unlearn what you thought you knew, pivot, and even start from scratch. I’m by no means saying this is easy but trusting the process and facing the unknown with creativity, flexibility, and courage can reveal opportunities where you can flourish.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
That’s a great question. As a neurodivergent creative I exercise the idea of leaning into my strengths. I know that at my core, I’m a visual thinker and communicator so doubling down on those natural proclivities empowers me to dedicate my energy toward what resonates deepest and helps me build upon the skillsets I’m continually honing. With that being said, I also find great value in brushing up on areas I might not be very proficient in. For instance, numbers and data organization were never a strength for me. As my design work and client projects grew in complexity, I recognized the necessity of improving my grasp of these operational skills. Ignoring this area of weakness could have held me back. I may still have a long way to go to master these skills but even small improvements have contributed significantly to my overall growth and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joannagdesign.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-gonzalez-design/
- Other: https://dribbble.com/joannagdesign
Image Credits
-Headshot image by Richard Chen
