Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Poustovoi
Hi Chloe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story begins way back in middle school, when I first discovered graphic design. I had always been an artist, and I loved drawing, but I knew this would be extremely difficult to turn into a career. Luckily, my school began offering a new elective class focusing on graphic and website design. I signed up, having no clue that this small choice would propel me to where I am now. I fell in love with design and digital media, and continued to take similar classes all throughout middle and high school. I decided to commit to this track, majoring in Arts & Entertainment Technologies, or AET for short, at UT.
While in my first year at UT, I made sure to connect with AET’s department staff to learn as much about the field as possible. Because of this, one staff member reached out to me about an internship opportunity with Texas Football’s Creative Team. And while I had been an athlete in high school, I didn’t know much about college football. I felt hesitant about my ability to succeed in the sports media field, even though I loved the idea of it. But I decided to take a leap of faith and apply, and to my surprise, I was shortly welcomed as part of the team! This is where I see God’s hand in my story the most. I believe that creativity is truly a gift from Him, and I’ve been blessed with the ability to use that gift for others. He arranged the pieces in a way that led me to discovering a new passion, and for that I could not be more grateful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to get to where I am now has definitely not been smooth. While I see purpose in every part of it, there were times when it wasn’t easy. In general, I think that going into the creative field is challenging no matter what one specializes in. Things are constantly changing – there are always new programs to learn, new methods to master, new equipment needed to not fall behind. Additionally, the field is so broad that it can take a significant amount of time to find which aspect you truly enjoy and want to pursue. I myself have been through many such phases – I used to want to focus on animation, then on UI/UX, etc. It definitely took me a while to learn which parts of this field I truly enjoyed.
Even in college, there have still been some bumps along the road. My major leans very heavily towards game design, and while I think this niche is super interesting, it’s not my personal passion. It’s definitely frustrating at times trying to tailor my schedule so that it has more variety. The realization that I didn’t want to pursue the main focus of my major was discouraging, but overall, I’m thankful that I learned this sooner rather than later. I feel as though I have a good understanding of the path I want to run after, even if I’m running up the tree’s branch rather than its trunk. Because of this, I’m also in the process of earning a certificate in Design Strategies through UT’s Bridging Disciplines Program. This certificate deals with concepts such as human-centered design and iteration, which I found super interesting and useful to my work at Texas Football.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Texas Football, I mainly specialize in Graphic Design. Of course, I have other responsibilities, such as photography and social media management. But my main role is that of Graphic Designer, which I truly love with all my heart. Out of all the creative hats I’ve worn and all the different skills I’ve picked up over the years, graphic design is the one that’s stuck with me since the beginning. In my opinion, graphic design is the perfect balance between art and modern technology. I love getting inspiration from traditional art and physical mediums, and I always textures such as paper and concrete in my graphics. At the same time, I love having the ability to create so efficiently and freely with programs like Photoshop. Graphic design satisfies both the “artsy” and “techy” sides of myself that I felt like I always had to choose from before college.
It sounds basic, but I’m most proud of the improvement I’ve made since I started at Texas Football. I feel that I’ve improved not only in concepts such as composition, balance, and design, but also in my knowledge of software and the football world in general. I sometimes look back on my first designs and internally cringe, even though I know I’ll feel the same way about my current work in a year! But that’s what’s exciting about working in this field – it’s dynamic, and I’ll constantly be both challenged and humbled. But I love that there’s no set end point, no light-up sign that says, “You made it!” I know that as long as I design, I’ll grow, and have to trust God for creativity and ideas along the way.
What matters most to you?
My relationship with Jesus!! He’s truly the stronghold of everything in my life. I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I wouldn’t be where I am now without Him. Although I worked hard to get where I am today, I can claim none of the credit. I know that God was working behind the scenes long before I could even comprehend what He was going to do in my life. I know that my creativity and skills are a gift from Him, and I’m simply just blessed to be able to use them in such a cool way every day!
Because of my faith, I truly believe that my work is so much more than just something to check off a list. At the end of the day, I’m not an AET major or a Texas Football intern to design for myself. My work is ultimately done for others – players, staff, fans, UT students, etc. If I can make one person feel like their efforts are encouraged or seen, that is enough for me. I’m happy working behind the scenes because I know I’m not here to merely build a cool portfolio. Of course, I have to constantly remind myself of this, because it’s so easy to let it all get to my head. But I’ve learned that I’ve always found more joy in using my talents for others rather than myself!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chloepcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloepoustovoi/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloepoustovoi/
Image Credits
Kyra McCall, Praiya Smith, Henry Houghton
