Today we’d like to introduce you to Madigan Diaz-Doherty.
Madigan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Denver, Colorado and always knew that art was going to be a big part of my life. I was always most comfortable in art class and was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who fostered my creativity and imagination. After focusing on fine art in high school, I decided to head East and enter Northeastern University’s College of Art, Media, and Design. I quickly fell in love with Boston but wasn’t finding that my chosen “Art” major was going to lead me where I wanted to go. This is when I discovered graphic design. This field that was so new to me encompassed everything I loved about art and framed it in a way that I could see blossoming into a career someday.
Northeastern’s co-op program provided me with the opportunity to get out of the classroom and learn what the working world is like. I ended up having 2 internships that had nothing to do with art or design! I was really interested in business and am so thankful that I took a risk and went outside my area of study to learn something new.
After school, I was fortunate enough to get a design position at a small Boston-based architecture firm in Southie. My experiences in the business world prepared me well to turn my role as a graphic designer there into leading a small team and growing the firm’s branding and marketing efforts. Working in a fast-paced start-up environment right out of school was the perfect way for me to jump right into work, and get my portfolio to a professional level.
About a year and a half later, I ended up wanting a change of scenery and was craving some real mentorship from designers. Being surrounded by architects was so fun and new, but I recognized that I wasn’t growing as an artist. I decided to take a position at TJX (you’ll see the work in every T.J.Maxx, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, etc.) as a graphic designer. I now work on the company’s Rewards program and am loving every part of it. I have a great leadership team above me and am constantly learning not only new technical skills but also the aspects of designing at a corporate level. I also freelance around the Boston area, mostly focused on branding and web design.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I definitely experienced struggles in college. I think it’s a such a complex time and I had phases where I didn’t if I was on the right track. I remember taking a criminology class my senior year and loving it so much I thought “Oh, maybe I should go to law school!”… I was overwhelmed by all the options college provides, and I remember getting caught up in it all.
My advice to people starting out would be to make sure you’re enjoying what you’re doing! It sounds cliche, but the first step is always seeking out what you love. Even if it takes years of the wrong classes or internships to find it. I would also tell women in particular, to stick up for yourself. My first job was a whirlwind and leaving it was the hardest thing because I felt so guilty for abandoning a team that I had worked so hard to build… but I wasn’t happy, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters. Sometimes, you have to be selfish, and if you handle things the right way, it will only serve you well!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about MDD Design – what should we know?
At the moment, I design everything from e-mails to printed signage, to Facebook campaigns. I’m lucky that my job provides a variety of design platforms, and I try to keep my freelance work focused on branding and logo design, which is work I really miss doing from my first job.
I’m proud that I was able to change environments and dive into so many aspects of design. Design is meant to solve problems and I’m proud that I pushed myself to go for so many different opportunities.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I love reading but tend to stick to dramatic thrillers that get me out of “work brain”. Some podcasts I find inspiring are Surprisingly Awesome, The Moth and Modern Love. I have found that getting off my computer and phone is what provides the most inspiration. Graphic design can be so tech-focused, so I’ve recently started painting pottery as a way to get back to my fine arts roots and get off my screen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madigandd.com
- Email: contact@madigandd.com
- Instagram: @madigandiazdoherty
Image Credit:
Madigan Diaz-Doherty
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