Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Finkel.
Ann, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been an artist, from childhood onward, participating in art competitions, taking museum classes, exploring new mediums, etc. When I started college I thought I needed to do the “smart” thing and get a business degree, with no idea where that would end up taking me. I was pretty miserable and continued to fail classes and take breaks. I was nannying to make money, and doing art on the side. Eventually I started to design my own textiles and sell them around town (and some in Portland, OR). Through this I taught myself digital design tools & connected with like minded people on the internet doing collaborations and learning from each other. I also taught art workshops and painted murals around town, getting really plugged into the creative community.
Eventually after being in school on and off for 7 years, I decided to trust my gut and go to art school and it was there that I learned to love graphic design. At 24 I started college over and enjoyed every second. From there I graduated with 10+ years of college under my belt and was pretty desperate for a job in the field with no experience, where most of my friends and people my age were years ahead of me. Someone saw the potential in my student work, gave me my first graphic design job, and from there I quickly moved from design to art direction. I worked a traditional “corporate” job for 5 years and decided to go fully freelance. I now spend my days working with clients I love, creating, and gathering inspiration from the world around me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I consider myself really lucky in the sense that I found and connected with really good people, all who propelled me forward and gave me chances to prove myself. On paper I should have been in a junior position at a senior level position age, but I was given enough trust to learn and grow quickly. The road to working for myself has been a bit bumpy, of course there’s learnings with everything you’re doing for the first time, but I really feel lately that I’ve found my footing and I’m so excited for what’s to come.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an art director and graphic designer. I love to work in the conceptual and strategy world, helping seed new ideas and support teams or individuals to push them forward. But most of all I love rolling up my sleeves and doing the work. I LOVE design – I love pushing pixels, I love typesetting a page, I love to spend time in the details.
I’m also pretty obsessed with curating every detail of my life. I know EXACTLY what I like and want in most scenarios – in my home, in the clothes I wear, in how I set up my dinner plate, in the composition of the iphone photo I’m snapping outside, etc. I think my strong visual perspective touches most areas of my life, but it’s an interesting juxtaposition to my job. I consider myself an artist, but design is all about supporting someone else’s vision. I think that keeps me balanced and excited.
In my free time I’m searching for art by looking at vintage furniture and art, watching great movies, taking ceramics classes, watching the way the leaves move in the wind, or doing a puzzle by piecing together the subtle shift in colors.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck has played a massive role in my life and career. I was truly given a chance by a stranger who knew nothing about me when I didn’t have any experience, and that really shaped where I’ve gone. I’ll always be so grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annfinkel.com
- Instagram: @anniefinkel
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-finkel/
