Where It All Started as an Montreal Graphic Designer
My name is Vanessa Percs, and as an aspiring Montreal graphic designer, I am studying Graphic and Web Design at John Abbott College. My creative journey started a little differently than most. Before attending John Abbott, I graduated from trade school for interior design. During those studies, I fell in love with the creative process itself. Sketching concepts and experimenting with layouts quickly became my favorite focus. This passion inspired me to build a career as a Montreal graphic designer, applying my design background to print and digital media.
Discovering Graphic & Web Design as a New Designer
That is what brought me to Graphic and Web Design. I wanted to work with print, branding, websites, and digital designs that people interact with and use every day.I like the idea that a design can become part of someone’s everyday life, whether it is a website they visit, a logo they recognize, packaging they see in a store, or something they interact with digitally.I enjoy creating things that are not only visually interesting, but also have a purpose.
Creativity & Inspiration as Montreal Graphic Designer
Creativity has always been an important part of who I am. I have a very active imagination, and I rarely feel like I am running out of ideas. My friends are also a huge source of inspiration for me. Being around different people, personalities, and perspectives gives me new ideas and helps me see things differently. I enjoy taking inspiration from the world around me and turning it into something of my own. For me, creativity is not something I can simply turn on and off. It is something that naturally follows me into the things I do.
My Design Process as a New Montreal Graphic Designer
When I begin a design project, my process usually starts with brainstorming. I like to take the time to think about the purpose of the project, the message I want to communicate, and all the different directions I could take. Once I have some ideas, I start sketching. Sketching allows me to quickly explore different concepts without worrying about making everything perfect. After I find an idea that I like, I recreate and develop my sketch digitally. I enjoy seeing the transition from a rough drawing on paper into a polished digital design. That process is one of my favourite parts of being a designer because I can physically see an idea come to life.
Teamwork & Collaboration
One of the areas I particularly enjoy is teamwork and collaboration. I like working with other people because everyone brings different ideas, experiences, and ways of thinking to a project. Sometimes someone else can look at an idea and see something that I did not notice myself. I think collaboration can make a project stronger because it allows different perspectives to come together. I also enjoy being able to share my own ideas and contribute to a larger creative process.
Life as a Student
Being a student in Graphic and Web Design has also taught me a lot about managing my time. There are times when I have multiple projects happening at once while also having general education classes such as English, French, Humanities, and Physical Education. Even with a busy schedule, I always try to make sure that my graphic and web design projects are completed on time and to the best of my ability. Sometimes that means staying in the classroom until 8 p.m. or later to finish a project, or even staying up until 2 a.m. and waking up the next morning to continue. It can be exhausting, but it has taught me how dedicated I am to my work and how much I care about the projects I create.
What I Have Learned
Since beginning my studies at John Abbott, I have developed many new skills. I have learned how to build websites, create vector graphics, develop brand visions, and think more strategically about design. I have also improved my sketching skills, building on the foundation I developed while studying Interior Design. My previous experience taught me how important it is to communicate an idea visually, and my Graphic and Web Design studies have allowed me to take that skill into a completely different direction.
Where It Comes From
One of the things I have realized during my time at John Abbott is that I may have been heading toward this career for longer than I originally thought. My dad has his own graphic design company, and growing up, I watched him build his business himself. He did not have the classes, training, or knowledge that I am fortunate enough to receive, because of that, becoming a graphic designer means more to me than simply choosing a career. I want to use the knowledge and skills I am gaining to become everything I have imagined for myself and even more. One of my biggest goals is to eventually create my own company. I want to use my creativity and imagination to help bring people’s visions for their companies to life. I want to create designs that represent who they are, what they believe in, and what they want their audience to experience.
My Future Goals
At the same time, I would love to use what I learn to help my dad and his business grow. He showed me that it is possible to build something from the ground up, and now I have the opportunity to take what he started and add the knowledge I am gaining through my own education. Being able to share that would mean a lot to me. My journey is still beginning, but I already know that I want creativity to be a major part. From interior design to graphic and web design, every step has helped me understand what I enjoy and what I want to create. I want to keep developing my skills, continue exploring my imagination, and create work that makes people’s ideas feel real. Most importantly, I want to build a future where I can use my creativity not only for myself, but to help other people bring their own dreams to life.