Patricia Garvin

I think it's just having that positive mindset - I've always been told by multiple workplaces I work at that I have a very positive mindset, and I guess I bring that to my workplace and the people I meet. I think that helps. That's my key right there. Even if you have your low points, you know that, okay, what do I do next? I guess that kind of drives you forward. Don't let it keep you down too long. I like little quotes that say, oh, get up one more time than they knock you down, and that gives you the ability to write your own ticket. I also have to credit my parents - they gave me a very good format to follow. My dad was in the Navy and then became a tool and die worker, one of those Toledo workers that would just get it done. My mom got into nursing, went all the way to her master's, and was very involved in the community from working shelters to teaching at community colleges. Just having them in my life has been a platform to follow and has given me direction that's been helpful.

The advice that really helped me when I was starting in graphics came from my graphic design director. He said to really stay involved in the trades out there, like the trade magazines or the groups and things like that. He emphasized staying involved in networking and just learning what is developing out there, so that way whenever you're honing your skills, you have that direct resource to draw from.

I would say always be prepared to be learning. Be ready to accept change, and when it's presented to you, be the first to accept that change and make that part of your goal. That way, it kind of keeps you on the edge of better opportunities. In a nutshell, don't be afraid of change. I think it comes across every person, every generation. The challenge I see, especially in graphic design, is that it's just a very changing industry - what I've seen over the past several years or decades is how fast that's moving. With AI and web presence and all the different platforms, you're not just doing graphic design anymore. You kind of have to know how to do marketing, help out with trade shows, and become diversified in more than just graphic design. You have to make yourself more well-rounded and lend yourself to that. That would be the challenge there, but if you embrace it, you'll succeed.

I would say the challenge is that it's just a very changing industry. In graphic design, what I've seen over the past several years or decades is how fast that's moving. AI is definitely out there as a major factor. What I experienced at one of my jobs was the introduction of more of that web presence - the different platforms like Facebook, Instagram, whatever platform companies choose to follow. Then there's the analytics piece, which became a big part of the work. I think what that meant for people in graphics is that, okay, you do graphics and you're around computers, but that's where it lent itself to moving beyond just graphic design anymore. You kind of have to know how to do marketing, help out with trade shows, and become diversified in more than just graphic design. You have to make yourself more well-rounded. That would be the challenge there - the rapid pace of change and the need to expand your skill set beyond traditional design work.

I would say, definitely, I have a Roman Catholic faith, and that in itself really helps with that positive mindset. It gives you structure and moral grounding. And then I think the big one too would be my parents. They gave me a very good format to follow. My dad was in the Navy and then went on to be a tool and die worker, and he was one of those Toledo workers that would just show up and get it done. My mom got into nursing, took it all the way to her master's, and she was very involved in the community, from everything from working shelters to teaching at the community colleges. I think just having them in my life is a platform to follow and gives direction that's been helpful.