Meet Kimia Fariborz

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimia Fariborz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimia below.

Kimia, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?

Self-discipline isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, brick by brick, challenge by challenge. For me, it’s rooted in a mindset: suffering is inevitable, so you might as well suffer towards something.

If you never exercise, you’ll suffer later with a body that’s immobile and aging faster than it should. You might live with a physique that doesn’t bring you pride. But if you do exercise, you still suffer—it’s physically difficult, it eats up your time, and it’s not always fun. The difference is that with the latter, you get something in return. You get strength, a clearer mind, and a body you’re proud of now and in the future. One path is inevitable suffering; the other is purposeful suffering that brings rewards.

This mindset has carried me through some of the hardest challenges in my life. Take last month in my life: just days after getting laid off, I was offered a chance to join the Kamala Harris campaign as a senior designer. It required uprooting my life, moving to Delaware, and diving headfirst into a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with only 27 days until Election Day. Meanwhile, I was also in the final stretch of training for my first marathon, which I’d spent over a year qualifying for. Oh, and on top of it all, I was actively interviewing for jobs to make sure I’d have something lined up after the campaign ended.

Every morning, I’d wake up before the sun to squeeze in a long run—sometimes as much as 18 miles—before heading to work. The campaign days often stretched to 13+ hours, and after that, I’d prepare for interviews in the evenings. I was exhausted, constantly. But I kept going because I knew this was the kind of suffering that would lead to something worthwhile: the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a campaign I believed in, the accomplishment of finishing a marathon, and the security of lining up my next role.

When marathon day came, it was the culmination of so many sacrifices and so much effort. As I crossed the finish line, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy—not just from the physical act of finishing, but from knowing how far I’d come to get there. Every mile I ran before dawn, every grueling day of balancing campaign work and training, every decision to keep going even when I was drained—it all added up to that single moment of triumph. It wasn’t just about running 26.2 miles; it was about proving to myself that I could endure and succeed.

The campaign was another story. By Election Day, Harris had lost, and on the surface, it may seem like I suffered through all those long hours and sacrifices for nothing. But the truth is, the connections I made during those 107 days have already had a lasting impact. Those relationships are opening doors I couldn’t have imagined—leading to interviews and job offers that reflect the caliber of people I worked alongside. Even in defeat, the experience has provided me with opportunities that will shape my career for years to come.

Self-discipline is about making the choice to keep going, day after day, even when it’s hard. But it’s also about the joy that comes from knowing your suffering had a purpose, and your efforts led to something extraordinary.

Through it all, I reminded myself that this kind of purposeful suffering isn’t just manageable—it can be deeply rewarding. When you know that you’re working toward something meaningful, the pain becomes lighter. You can find pride in your effort, clarity in your purpose, and satisfaction in knowing you’re building something that matters.

That’s where my self-discipline comes from: the belief that suffering is inevitable, so you might as well suffer in a direction that moves you forward. For me, it’s not just a habit—it’s a mindset that has shaped everything I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a branding and packaging designer based in New York City. I’ve worked with clients like Amazon, Coca Cola, Gilette, Cetaphil, T Mobile, and Procter & Gamble and start-ups like Sweet Loren’s and Cove. Most recently, I was a Senior Designer for the Harris for President campaign. My work has been featured in Forbes, the Dieline, and been nominated for a Pentaward. You can find me at kimiafariborz.com.

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

Curiosity: As a designer, curiosity fuels growth. Staying curious about people, cultures, and trends sharpens your ability to create work that resonates. For those starting out, make a habit of exploring beyond your immediate surroundings—visit museums, read widely, and dive into subcultures. Inspiration often comes from unexpected places.

Tenacity: Design is iterative and often subjective. Tenacity helps you push through challenges, refine your work, and advocate for your ideas. To build it, treat feedback as a learning tool, not a setback. The more you practice resilience, the stronger your work (and confidence) will become.

Strategic Thinking: Great design isn’t just pretty—it solves problems. Strategic thinking allows you to balance aesthetics with purpose. Early in your journey, ask yourself why behind every design decision and seek to understand the bigger picture. This mindset will elevate your work and your impact.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is brave—someone who is willing to face their challenges head-on and embrace meaningful change. I thrive when clients respect and trust my expertise, collaborating with an open mind and a shared vision. The best partnerships are built on mutual trust, where bold ideas can take shape and drive real impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kimiafariborz.com
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/kimiafariborz