From Graphic Designer to “Life Designer”
We’ve never had more opportunities to create a life that we dream of but we’ve never been more burnt out either. Is it possible to do one without the other? The short answer is: yes.
This is the story of my journey from graphic designer to working with Life Design and transformative coaching. It’s the story of how I adopted a ‘designer’s mindset’ and learned to use my skills in design and creative thinking to create a life that I love - and overcame burnout (twice). And how I can help you do the same.
When I realized that design is more than a pretty poster
I’ve always been interested in psychology and mindset: in how people think, and what drives us.
However, despite my love for ‘how humans think’, I also loved being creative, and I wanted to see where it could take me.
After finishing high school in Copenhagen, I went to Arts University Bournemouth and discovered design: the perfect combination of creativity, strategy and psychology.
My first ever design project: an “app” helping women find clothing for their shape and not size, 2015
I decided to study graphic design and got into one of the most competitive design schools in Denmark, DMJX. As much as I enjoyed being creative and work with graphic design, it wasn’t until I was introduced to Design Thinking that I truly began to love design.
Design Thinking is often described as a way of thinking and working, a project approach, and a toolbox that is used by several industries. It’s a human-centred approach to design that focuses on emphasizing (understanding the problem), getting creative, and taking action to explore solutions through prototyping and testing.
Design Thinking model created by Standford University
It was around this time, that I discovered “Life Design”: a framework created by Dave Evans and William Burnett, professors at Stanford Design School. A framework using the same principles of Design Thinking but to help people change their mindset and get unstuck using specific tools and activities. (I highly recommend reading their book Designing Your Life).
How I created a life that I loved
I decided to continue my design studies with a Master of Communication Design at RMIT University. Knowing that ‘design’ was much more than creating pretty posters was inspiring – and my passion for psychology and mindset had never left me… and I could tell that I was starting to think differently.
In my daily life, I was using the same methods and approaches that I would use to solve a design problem. Whether it was getting ideas for travels or making changes at my job.
Without knowing, I was implementing the Life Design principles.
Outside of my studies, I was working as an in-house design manager at a renewable energy company. Since 2018, I have been able to work remotely and often went on longer travels (normalizing remote working is one of the few good things that came from the pandemic, in my opinion).
Photography workshop in Instabul, 2022 with Creator Circuit
I had somehow managed to create a life that I loved: full-time flexibility to travel, moved to Australia to pursue my dream studies, while working at a job that I loved. I was teaching yoga classes and had turned a new passion for photography into hosting workshops and events for other creatives around the world…
In short: I had created a life I loved by implementing the Life Design principles.
From Burnout to Business Owner
In 2022, after almost 3 years as an in-house design manager, I found myself burnt out, and I knew it was time for a change. An opportunity arose and I decided to go freelance and start my own design studio (which is a story in itself).
I knew that many business owners often failed within the first few years of starting their own business – often due to burnout – and this was not my first time experiencing burnout either.
I wondered if these Life Design principles could specifically help small business owners prevent burnout?
This soon became the topic of my master’s research project.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been a significant increase in people starting their own businesses. As I had the personal experience of overcoming burnout, and now the experience of being a full-time business owner, I wanted to help others do the same.
The research project became the design of my first Life Design workshop: A workshop created to help people start their business with a mindful approach, looking to create a sustainable business, with a thriving work/life balance.
The “How can I design” framework was developed to help participants describe their purpose and turn it into an actionable statement
During the research, I realized that I was coaching my participants in a certain way – with this ‘designer’s mindset’ – and found that I had created a design-driven approach to coaching.
The feedback on the workshops was great, and I even received a Certificate of Achievement for my research project from the university.
From there, I wanted to continue exploring how I could help others change their mindset through Life Design and coaching.
Fast forward to today: transformative coaching and Life Design
Today, I am continuing to explore how to use Life Design to help others get unstuck, think creatively, and design a life they love.
Besides a decade of working as a designer – and continuing to do so through my design studio and as a freelance design consultant – I have also achieved +500 hours of yoga teacher training and become a certified transformative coach.
Whether through my coaching sessions, consulting work, yoga classes, or workshops and events, I continue to explore the field of Life Design, creative thinking, and how you can design a life you love.
What I’ve learned so far:
We all can get unstuck and “design” a life we love – but sometimes we need the tools, support, and guidance to see that life can be different
Adopting a reflective practice is an essential step to change: knowing where you are and how you feel is necessary to create a change.
Curiosity and the willingness to explore areas out of your comfort zone are essential to building courage and cultivating creative thinking.
What’s next?
If you are curious about Life Design or want to know more about the specific tools, there are several things that you can do.
Read the book Designing Your Life by Dave Evans and William Burnett.
1:1 coaching: if you want to learn the tools and start creating change in your life, get in touch or read more about transformative coaching
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