We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arianna Hawthorne-Cox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Arianna, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Michelle Obama once said, “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude,” meaning that self-confidence frames the outcome of success. I firmly believe that if you don’t believe in yourself, then how do you expect anybody else to? Being raised in a city like Baltimore, finding support is easy, but knowing if it’s genuine is hard, so you must remain consistent and work hard for yourself. Growing up, my parents were my role models. They always told me that if I want to do something, go for it because I won’t know it’s possible until I take that leap of faith. Since then, my confidence and self-esteem have been extraordinarily high, and I believe it will never change as long as I have God by my side because I feel I am capable of anything I put my mind to as long as I put him first. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy to develop confidence, especially in a generation like mine, but finding those willing to be in your corner, support all of your ideas, and be in the front cheering you on helps.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hey! My name is Ari MaLynn, and I founded The MaLynn Experience. I am a 20-year-old digital graphic designer from Baltimore, MD, and a sophomore marketing major at the Illustrious Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. The MaLynn Experience came about two years ago when I decided to take my graphic designing to the next level. I have been graphic designing for four years, starting during the pandemic. Initially, I would’ve never thought that graphic designing would be my life, but the more I taught myself how to do different techniques, the more I fell in love with it. I started creating small flyers, then making cover art for the artist on my father’s label, and now I am creating marketing tools from business cards to website designs. Looking at where I started and my growth, I am proud of myself and my commitment to my brand. What sets me apart from most is that you are getting quality work for the price you pay, and my turnaround time is between 24-48 hours.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey as a digital graphic designer, the three most impactful qualities were creativity, technical proficiency, and adaptability. Creativity is the backbone of design, driving innovation and uniqueness in projects. Technical proficiency, encompassing software skills and understanding design principles, is essential for executing ideas effectively. Adaptability allows one to navigate evolving trends and technologies in the field.
My advice for those starting is to continually nurture creativity through exploration, practice technical skills rigorously through tutorials and projects, and remain adaptable by staying updated with industry trends and embracing new tools and techniques. Additionally, seeking feedback and learning from successes and failures will contribute significantly to growth in this dynamic field.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most important thing my parents did for me was believe in me and continually support my aspirations. Their consistent support and conviction in my talents gave me the confidence and motivation to achieve my goals. Their encouragement provided me with the emotional power to overcome obstacles and disappointments, fuelling my will to succeed. Knowing they were always there for me, cheering me on, and providing advice when necessary gave me the confidence to follow my ambitions entirely.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Themalynnexperience
- Other: Personal Page: @Arimalynn
