From Fintech to Graphic Design: Finding the Nexus of Purpose and Art

The Double Life: Art as Joy, Tech as Career

I have always been a creative person. From childhood doodles to teenage sketches, paintings, and creative writing, art has always been magic for me. I find it soothing, satisfying, challenging, and, sometimes, meditative.

As I worked in Fintech, I always had a creative project going. It helped balance the stress and cerebral nature of my work. When my colleagues saw something I had created, they were often surprised, asking why I was working in tech. I always laughed, because I saw tech and business as a career, and art as a passion. I worried that making art a career might steal that joy.

The Turning Point: Don't Be Complacent

Between 2016 and 2019, my perspective shifted fundamentally. A desire to work in a field of purpose became nearly overwhelming; I wanted my time to go toward something that truly made a difference in this world.

Then, a friend passed away from breast cancer. During her celebration of life, her family shared her message: “Don’t be complacent.” I took this to heart, complacency in my own health and wellbeing, and complacency in how I live in the world. This message, combined with a life-changing injury, reminded me that life is short and ability can be fleeting, profoundly shifting my path.

Working in Fintech was no longer a fit. Granted, I can still get worked up talking about system design and integration because I am a total nerd, but implementing financial technical systems did not feed my soul.

The Bridge: Technology for Harm Reduction

I left the Fintech industry and joined Brave Technology Co-op, where we developed technology in the field of harm reduction. This was hard, groundbreaking work. It was politically polarizing and incredibly fulfilling. We literally saved lives with our technology, empowering our fellow humans to live another day. I learned a great deal working with Brave and will always be grateful for that experience.

The Spark: Merging Skill and Service

During this time, a community I was involved with asked me to make a few logos for their fundraising. This opened a whole new door. After seeing these logos, another friend, Cori, engaged me to make a logo for a work project.

This started a side hustle, making logos, websites, posters, book covers, infographics, and illustrations. Every organization I worked with was mission-led, with the vast majority being nonprofits. The creative work we were doing was helping change lives. This felt like magic.

The Studio Härmonē Vision: Purpose and Art

As my time with Brave was drawing to an end, I decided to take the leap, levelling up my side hustle into my new business. This way, I could bring my experience in business, technology, and facilitation together with my creativity and desire to be of service., purpose and art.

My background in system design and integration now translates directly into how Studio Härmonē approaches branding and web design, ensuring maximum clarity, consistency, and a strategic framework for our clients.

I could finally build a business that served organizations that serve others. I could build a business that was in alignment with my own values, including creating a safe space for fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent community members to be themselves, while bringing more light into the world with our creations.

This is my dream

Make art, be of service, mentor others, support students, and make change while also laughing and learning new things.