Nitashia Johnson

In junior high, an art teacher told me about Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. She noticed my talent during my 7th-grade year and began helping me prepare for auditions.

I was quite an introvert in middle school; I often stayed in her classroom during lunch and after school to create art and avoid social pressures. As we talked, I began expressing the struggles I faced at home and the hardships of growing up without parents. Moved by my story, she pushed me to refine my portfolio and urged me to research creative careers like graphic design. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to pursue design communication. I fell in love with the process, and through drive and dedication, I was admitted to the school where I began working toward my dreams.

My biggest struggle was creating with limited resources. For the first three years of my career, I didn’t have the equipment or software needed to produce high-level designs. I’m not sure how I managed, but I found a way to make it work. I also lacked confidence early on, but with the support of family and friends, I’ve learned to believe in myself.

I am developing The Smart Project, a community-based media arts program for inner-city teens in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The program uses visual art, digital media, and technology to prepare young artists for the future through college access guidelines and a creative readiness framework. Students tackle projects based on a curriculum created by my non-profit. It is different from anything I’ve done before, but I’m doing it from the heart to help the next generation.

Design could be much more welcoming in its outreach to marginalized communities. There isn't enough exposure for young people early in life. The field should work toward community outreach on a larger scale. People in our communities should be introduced to design by professionals in the field, which can sometimes seem elitist from the outside looking in. I also believe the industry should focus on showcasing digital artists from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.

I haven’t experienced many "vivid" mishaps, but I have felt the underlying tension. It’s often hard to notice roadblocks because they are indirect, making it difficult to point out specific bad intentions or judgment. At one point, I was nervous about attending interviews with my natural hair because people told me the world "wasn't ready for it." I eventually moved past those comments—they went in one ear and out the other. My personality shines bright, and I view my hair as a crown for my intellectual mind.

I love the ability to create things that serve a purpose. Design is the way of the world; it’s how we communicate, and that is extraordinary when you think about it.

I would love to see more young creatives branch out and create their own avenues. Sometimes finding work is about who you know, but if you are an independent designer, you can be your own boss.

In addition to The Smart Project, I am creating a book that addresses colorism, racism, and sexism, featuring the stories and images of 14–20 women of color.

Do it! If you love it, go for it. If something isn’t working, find a way to make it work. Have confidence in everything you do. You are awesome, and the world needs driven designers like you.