She’s up by 7 a.m., on the way to work at 8:35 a.m., works as a graphic designer and project manager from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and goes home to enjoy self care, which includes eating, walking and creating.
Creativity has been Alycia Griesi’s friend since she was a little girl growing up in Toronto, Ontario. She loved watching Disney movies, especially “The Little Mermaid,” and drawing the characters.
“As I got older, it was constantly in my life,” Alycia said. “It was always painting, sketching and doodling.”
In high school, the graphic designer reached a crossroads as to what she wanted to do after graduation. She thought about pursuing English, art and music.
After being advised from different colleges that she needed to focus on one thing, she decided music was the way to go but hated it. Alycia changed her major to art during her first year of college and didn’t look back.
“There’s something that calls to me. It’s that intense focus, it’s the color, it’s the opportunity to create something out of nothing,” Alycia said.
The creative realized that she could turn her creativity into a full-time career and found purpose in classes like graphic design, web design, robotics and sculpting.
“This is something I find peace with, it’s how I understand the world and this is how I want to communicate with others,” Alycia said. “This is what I want to share with others and have it be my contribution to the world.”
Alycia’s 9-5 responsibilities include designing packages for medical adhesive products and marketing materials including brochures, trade show banners and social media assets. Her days are busy, but she enjoys going home to learn more about graphic design and digital media by watching tutorials on graphic software and going to art galleries.
She believes that being creative allows her to be “geeky” in a way other careers wouldn’t allow her.
“When I say geeky, I mean I can express myself to my fullest extent,” Alycia said.
Alyicia believes there are misconceptions about being an artist including that being a creative can’t be a full-time career also known as being a starving artist. There’s also the belief that creative work can be done quickly and for cheap.
“That’s easily the most frustrating aspect of this career,” Alycia said.
Alycia has learned to combat the not-so-glamorous aspects of being a creative by being flexible and having tough skin. She knows that her vision may not always match her client’s, but that doesn’t discourage her from producing excellent work.
“I’m going to enjoy the process for what it is,” Alycia said.
In the future, she wants to open a branding resource center that provides same-day branding services to nonprofits, churches, civic organizations, hospitals, government systems and technology companies. This will also be a co-working space with marketing offices and conference rooms to host big events.
“I don’t think I’ll ever just be a creative,” Alycia said. “I think I’ll always be on the cusp of creative and business.”
Stay on the lookout for her latest creations!
Instagram: @alyciamarieg
Website: amgriesi.design
Caleb Britt 