Meet Joe Feldpausch

We recently connected with Joe Feldpausch and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

In early 2022, I landed my dream job as a full-time graphic designer at a local design agency. Everything felt perfect, almost too good to be true. It was exactly what I had hoped for after graduating.

But in March 2024, I was let go. The news hit hard. This was my first full-time job after college, and I felt like I had found my place in the design world. Losing that stability was a shock, and in the days that followed, I had to confront the reality of being let go. At first, I was angry, confused, and unsure of what the future held. It was painful, and I’m sure anyone who’s been fired or let go can relate to that initial feeling of doubt and fear. The feeling of not being wanted is not a great feeling.

Instead of letting the pain linger, I made a conscious decision to reframe the situation. As a practicing Christian, I believe things happens for a reason, even if it’s not immediately clear. I trust that God works in the chaos of our lives, even when we can’t see it at the time. Although I didn’t understand the reason right away, I chose to trust that this experience was part of a bigger plan. In hindsight, I can see that being let go was the nudge I needed to finally pursue something I had always dreamed of but never had the courage to go after: freelance design.

Freelance work was something I had thought about for years, but I was always hesitant. The stability of a full-time job and the fear of uncertainty kept me from taking the leap. Being let go forced me to confront that fear. I realized that, without this push, I probably would have stayed stuck in the comfort zone of an agency job, never truly pursuing my passion for freelance design. It felt like a wake-up call, like God was giving me the nudge I needed to step into my purpose.

For anyone who has been fired or let go, I want to offer this advice: The pain and struggle you feel in the moment are real, but it doesn’t determine your worth or future. It’s easy to spiral into feelings of failure or inadequacy, but the truth is, getting let go is a part of life’s journey, and it doesn’t diminish your worth or talents. It may take time, but instead of focusing on what’s been taken away, focus on what’s being opened up for you. When you’re forced to step out of your comfort zone, you often find new opportunities and strengths you didn’t know you had. Sometimes, a setback is actually a setup for something greater.

I won’t sugarcoat it, freelance design hasn’t been easy. It comes with its own set of challenges, from juggling multiple clients to navigating the business side of things, or simply ensuring there’s enough work to make it sustainable. But despite the hurdles, there’s an undeniable sense of fulfillment. Every day, I feel like I’m on the path I was meant to take. It’s not about avoiding the struggle, but about trusting that it’s an essential part of the growth process.

If you’ve been let go, I encourage you to embrace the pain, reflect on what you’ve learned, and take that next step forward with faith and confidence. Sometimes the things that seem like the worst moments in our lives turn out to be the very things that set us on the right course. Keep believing in yourself, stay open to the possibilities, and remember that growth often happens in the most unexpected ways.

In my case, being let go gave me the courage to start my own freelance business, and while the road is still tough at times, it feels like the right path. The key is not to let the setback hold you back, but to see it as an opportunity to step into your next chapter. And if you’re unsure of what that looks like yet, that’s okay too. Trust that it will unfold in time.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hello! I’m Joe Feldpausch, a freelance graphic designer, cardist (that’s someone who’s into the art of cardistry — cool card shuffling), and creative entrepreneur based in the United States. I specialize in creating stunning playing cards, brand identities, motion graphics, and functional visual systems for businesses, makers, and artists. Over the past six years, I’ve crafted multiple visual identities, worked at a design agency, and successfully crowdfunded my own playing cards.

To put it simply, I’m just a guy who loves bringing great ideas to life for amazing people! My approach blends creativity with a keen eye for detail. My background in cardistry has had a big influence on my work, and I draw a lot of inspiration from a love of thoughtful, intentional design. Whether I’m designing custom playing cards or crafting brand identities, I’m always focused on creating work that feels meaningful and impactful.

Beyond design and cardistry, I’m passionate about staying active through sports! I currently play soccer, baseball, and golf, and I’ve found that staying active helps to clear my mind and spark creative thoughts. In all my pursuits, I embrace a studious approach marked by a meticulous attention to detail and intentionality. Looking ahead, I aim to remain a disciplined and humble creator, always striving to be the best version of myself.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are patience, persistence, and purpose.

Patience has taught me that timing is everything. It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t happen as quickly as we’d like, but I’ve come to realize that my time will come, and so will yours. What’s meant for you won’t miss you, but it requires patience to let things unfold at their right pace.

Patience goes hand in hand with persistence. While waiting for opportunities, you have to keep showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that your efforts will bear fruit. The journey isn’t always easy, and there will be setbacks, but faith in your process is what keeps you moving forward.

Lastly, purpose is the foundation that ties it all together. For me, purpose is where passion and talent meet in service of others. Finding your purpose starts with self-awareness, which I believe is a skill many people overlook. Take the time to understand what you’re truly passionate about and where your talents naturally shine. When you align those with ways to serve or impact others, you’ll find a deeper sense of fulfillment and direction.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to embrace these three qualities. Be patient with yourself and your growth, stay persistent in your efforts even when the results seem far away, and spend time reflecting on your passions and talents. The more self-aware you become, the clearer your purpose will be — and with that clarity, everything else will start to fall into place.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always on the lookout for meaningful collaborations that allow me to create thoughtful, impactful design work. Whether you’re a business, brand, or individual looking for custom playing cards, brand development, or if you just want to explore creative possibilities, I’d love to connect. You can explore my portfolio and learn more about what I do at joefdsgn.com. Cheers!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joefdsgn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joefdsgn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesfeldpausch

Image Credits

Joe Feldpausch