the INSPIRATION

I pursued a master’s in Strategic Communication Design to grow as a designer and expand my future career potential. Throughout the first several months I did exactly that; I learned new software, techniques, and design styles, took on challenging assignments, and dove into the world of Human Centered Design.

Once I had gotten a grasp on design thinking and the assignments, I found my comfort zone. Instead of continuing to push boundaries, I found a flow that worked for me while still solving problems. Instead of wanting to create a flag, I pushed my instructor to create a flag-based learning app for children. I had success before turning assignments into great apps and wanted to do it again; I thought it would be more beneficial to my portfolio, my career. My instructor saw this comfort and challenged me to stick to creating a flag, and dive into the symbolism and power they can have.

The instructor was right, I needed to get out of my comfort zone. So I decided to take his words and create a flag that could capture the need to go beyond your comfort zone, and in the process inspire me to get out of my own. The design process started with a quote: all growth starts at the end of your comfort zone.