Designing beyond the studio

One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching was seeing the raw creativity of my students. Unlike seasoned professionals who can sometimes default to what’s “worked before,” the students approached design problems with a sense of curiosity and unrestrained experimentation. I found myself holding back my personal color preferences and illustration styles over palettes and aesthetics that I might not have immediately gravitated toward but appreciated all the same. This reminded me of the importance of maintaining a beginner’s mindset—a willingness to explore without fear of failure. The students’ enthusiasm reignited my own passion for design and encouraged me to rethink some of my own creative approaches.

Many of my students excelled at conceptual thinking but struggled to connect those ideas to practical applications. They didn’t yet fully understand the processes and roles of design in the marketing and advertising world. They could create beautiful designs, but that weren’t always applicable to business needs. I helped them bridge that gap. By sharing real-world examples and walking them through the process of client work, I demonstrated how their ideas could live in the world beyond the classroom. This also underscored the importance of providing students with both theoretical foundations and practical tools.

Constructive critique is an essential part of any creative field, and it became a cornerstone of my teaching approach. Guiding students to give and receive feedback was as much about fostering respect and collaboration as it was about improving their work. What I didn’t anticipate was how much I’d learn from their feedback on my teaching. Their honest questions and observations gave me insight into how to communicate more effectively and tailor lessons to their needs.

Balancing my professional responsibilities with the demands of teaching required a level of time management I hadn’t fully appreciated. Each week, I worked to develop lesson plans, review student work, and keep up with industry trends—all while managing creative projects for Indigo Slate. Flexibility became key. This also gave me a greater appreciation for the effort educators put into their craft and reinforced the importance of adaptability in any professional setting.

Perhaps the most fulfilling part of the experience was knowing I played a role in shaping the next generation of graphic designers. Watching students grow in their confidence, take creative risks, and refine their voices as designers was deeply rewarding. It reminded me that mentorship is an integral part of any career—and that giving back to your field ensures its continued evolution.