I grew up with three older brothers, learning early that to be heard, and to be respected, I had to be as bold, or bolder, than the boys around me. This carried over in school, too. I still remember a boy in my grade school band shouting, “You can’t play trumpet; you’re a girl!” From that moment on, I decided that anything boys could do, I could do better. That determination has stayed with me throughout my career in creative industries, where women are still too often underestimated or overlooked.
"creative careers are rarely linear"
Building a creative career is rarely straightforward. My own path is proof of that. I studied Interior Architecture, worked in retail branding, and pursued an MA in Creative Practice for Narrative Design, all of which led to a job as a graphic designer at the Design Against Crime Research Centre. At one point, flat broke and freelancing, I applied for a hinter position at Dalton Maag and was instead offered a design trainee position. I had no background in type design and no relevant work in my portfolio. Fifteen years later, I am Creative Type Director at Monotype.
The lesson is simple: creative careers are rarely linear. You have to stay open to change and be willing to take risks. Say yes to opportunities, even when they sit outside your comfort zone. Detours, setbacks and perceived failures often become the very experiences that shape your perspective and define your growth. Originality is at the heart of meaningful design, as it allows creators to express their own vision rather than simply meet expectations. Authenticity is what gives originality its strength in design, allowing ideas to emerge from a genuine vision rather than external expectations.
Whether you’re designing typefaces or working on brands like Pets at Home or Moju - your own perspective, style, and voice are not weaknesses to manage, they are differentiators that make your work meaningful. Equally important is trusting your instincts and valuing your time. Early in my career, struggling to afford life in London as a freelancer, I took on anything and everything. Over time, I learned to recognise when an opportunity aligned with my values and when it was right to walk away. One of the hardest decisions I ever made was leaving a job I loved. I worried I might regret it, but that choice created space for other opportunities I would never have experienced otherwise. Career development is not just about saying yes - sometimes it is about having the courage to say no.
Risk-taking has also shaped my journey. I’m often the one proposing the more “out there” ideas to clients and pushing creative boundaries, because growth happens when you step beyond what feels safe - whether that means public speaking, leading projects, or even relocating. I’ve lived and worked in Washington DC, Dallas, San Francisco, Portland, and London, and each place has expanded my understanding of collaboration, culture, perspective and nuance. Those new environments challenged my assumptions and sharpened my creative intuition.
"surround yourself with people who support and challenge you"
That same willingness to take risks led me to submit my first original typeface, Blenny, which broke every stereotype associated with Dalton Maag’s published work. Despite the uncertainty, it ended up signalling a new creative direction for the foundry, shifting perceptions from corporate to innovative. Practical habits matter too. Keep an analogue planner. Make daily to-do lists. Drink enough water. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. A big part of my confidence comes from my mom - her unwavering support and her fiery personality have always been a powerful influence in my life. And then there’s organisations like Alphabettes - a global network of type designers, lettering artists, typographers and educators, - which show how powerful community and mentorship can be in building confidence and opportunity.
Throughout my career, the moments of greatest growth have often come from conversations, people who shared hard-earned insight, opened networks or simply encouraged me to take a risk before I felt ready. That exchange of experience builds confidence and momentum. It allows young creatives to trust their instincts, define their own voices and move beyond the constraints of outdated expectations. In this way, mentorship does more than support individuals; it helps reshape creative industries by enabling the next generation to innovate more freely and push for change.
For women navigating creative fields, the challenges are real, but so are the possibilities. Push yourself. Treat mistakes as learning. Slow down and work with intention. Be kind - you never know which relationships will shape your future. Authenticity and confidence are your superpowers. Society may have told you that you need to become someone else to succeed. In reality, being fully yourself, strong, curious and honest, is what will set you apart. You don't have to act or look a certain way to be successful. Just be your wild self if that is who you are. Your perspective and courage are your greatest tools.
I’ve often seen expectations shift the moment people realise that “Spike” is not a man. In one interview, the person on the phone even admitted, “Oh, I was expecting a man.” I laughed. Every moment you defy expectation is a reminder that you belong here. You are helping to reshape the creative industries simply by showing up and doing the work. So, step forward and design a career that reflects who you are. The path may be non-linear and the challenges very real, but the rewards are immeasurable - growth, recognition and the ability to inspire the next generation.
