Grace Owen

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@stuffgracemade | www.stuffgracemade.com | Portfolio

1. Tell me a little bit about you, who is Grace outside of work?

I am a graphic designer and illustrator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am currently in my last semester at Louisiana State University studying digital advertising and visual communication. Outside of work, I love to spend time outdoors! I really enjoy hiking and camping with friends. One of my favorite things to do is ride my bike around the lakes on campus at sunset. I also enjoy practicing yoga, going to concerts and festivals, reading, and hanging out with my cat, Peebs.

2. What do you do for work?

My main line of work is freelance graphic design. I've worked for a variety of brands - from corporations like Adobe and American Eagle to small businesses in all types of industries. I work with clients both domestically and internationally. My work ranges from logos, branding, packaging design, graphic posters and flyers, apparel, creative campaigns - basically if you need any sort of design work done, I am your gal! I also worked in-house at a radio station for most of my college career, and now I work for a nonprofit called Tankproof (@tankproof) which provides swimming lessons to kids who need it most.

3. How have you been staying creative/inspired during a pandemic

While it has definitely been a struggle, I think it also leaves a lot of space to find new sources of inspiration that you otherwise would not have. The most important thing for me to stay on top of my work and stay inspired has been to create a schedule that fulfills me. For me personally, I have found that working at my house typically leads to unproductivity. I like to find (socially distanced, of course) places outside the house to work - outside at a coffee shop, somewhere on campus, or even in the backyard! This feels more like "normal life" and gives me a set amount of time during the day to get my work done. Then around 5 or 6, I stop where I am, save what I'm working on, and do something just for me. Whether it be a bike ride, watching a TV show, going to yoga class, or just visiting with my roommate - it's important to define work time vs. personal time. This helps me stay inspired because it gives me structure and surprise at the same time. Every day holds something different and keeps me looking forward to my next activity!

4. As a female, what are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced within your industry / the workplace / the education system?

Two main things stand out to me about being a female in this industry- pricing and boundaries. Pricing is already something that isn't really talked about a lot in the design world, so it can be difficult to know how to handle it. Society has influenced us to think we are overcharging for services or that we should lower our costs in order to accommodate other people's needs. I can say from personal experience that it's definitely a learning curve, and in time I've become more comfortable with pricing my services as I see fit. I think this is especially difficult for women in design because a lot of times, people expect us to bend our budget without any pushback, meanwhile our male counterparts charge significantly more without any issues. Boundaries tie into this as well - I often find myself apologizing for not responding on the weekends, or staying up till 2 am to get something done. It can be difficult and a bit uncomfortable, but it is so important to identify what your boundaries are when freelancing and figuring out what feels right for you. Understand and believe that your work and time are VALUABLE and you should be treated as such!

5. What women in your life inspire you and why?

Many of my female friends pursue art as well and they are endlessly inspiring to me. I love seeing what they're working on and hearing their feedback on my work. It's incredible to have a community of like-minded women that I can lean on. I follow a lot of female influencers online that are in the business which is really helpful. They provide amazing tips and share their wisdom and experiences which is really reassuring as a young person. And also, gotta shout out my Mom!

6. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a new life direction -- whether that be moving to a new city, pursuing a new career path, starting a side hustle or choosing a new major in school?

I've been through this before and my best advice is to TRUST THE PROCESS! Nothing happens overnight, and there is no one particular way that your journey is supposed to look. You'll never be able to predict what it will look like, so rather than getting caught up in those anxieties and fears of what could go wrong, center your mind around what could go RIGHT and keep yourself in the present. Of course, there will be obstacles, but they will only make you smarter and stronger. Starting a new chapter is always nerve-wracking, but ultimately so rewarding. The first step is the hardest part, so just by taking that leap, you're already off to a great start. It's also important to be truly proud of yourself and remind yourself that you are capable. I have learned to recognize that those scary feelings that bubble up from time to time are natural and are nothing to be afraid of - I welcome all opportunities with open arms! Jump into the unknown, that's where the adventure lies!

7. How do you balance a job, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?

This can be really tough, especially for me because my job (art+design) is also my passion. The best thing I've found to do switch it up and find multiple hobbies you enjoy. The schedule I mentioned previously is also a big part of balancing it. It's important to set aside time that's just for work or just for you. Mixing the two never works. I've always been a play-before-work kind of gal, but I know when I need to kick it into gear and get my work done - but I definitely think there is real value in taking time for yourself and doing what makes you feel good outside of work. My job is a huge part of my life that I'm endlessly grateful for, but it's not my WHOLE life. Having other passions and ample personal time is what keeps me from feeling burnt out!

8. What are some ways you implement self-care?

My essential self-care routine includes yoga, meditation, journaling, and creating a schedule for myself. These practices have really done wonders for me. I HIGHLY recommend this meditation app called Headspace! It has daily meditations as well as courses that are designed specifically for different goals and points in life. The idea is to allow thoughts to come and go without judgment - to not engage or follow them, but to simply acknowledge them and thank them for visiting. It sounds really simple, but it has done wonders for my mental health. Yoga and other practices that engage the mind/body/spirit are incredibly beneficial and I can see the real change it's made in my life and the way I care for myself. I recently learned a new way to journal that helps me track my emotions and let go of things. A friend of mine recommended to write down big areas of your life (relationships, work, school, mental health, physical health, future, etc.) and note how you're feeling about each one. From there, pick one thing from each category, and write down something you can do to make yourself feel better about it. Also, goes without saying, but THERAPY! So important no matter what stage of life you are in!

9. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders, movers and shakers?

Do not get caught up in what other people think about you!! The most freeing thing you can ever do is to be fully yourself without any apology. Find your style and the people that support you and run with it. Do not shrink yourself for others - your thoughts and ideas are important and you deserve to be heard! You're capable of doing anything you can dream. Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously!

10. How can women advocate for each other?

Share resources, advice, wisdom, and ultimately root for one another rather than getting caught up in jealousy. Check in with the women in your life and see how you can support them. For example, one simple thing I really like to do is share other women's art/businesses on my story! It seems like a really little thing but it means so much. Those little confidence boosts go a long way! Additionally, I think one of the most important things you can do to advocate for other women is to also do so for yourself - when you stand up for yourself, it encourages and inspires others to do the same.

11. What is your power color and why?

Hear me out - orange is so slept on! My favorite is creamy tangerine. It's somehow both dreamy and soft AND powerful and bold. It's inviting, friendly, warm, and just generally makes me feel good. Also, this is simple but... I really love a good off-white, like a gentle yellow-based cream. I can't stand that starch white color. Using off-white and off-black always looks better in my opinion.