TRAVISUALS: The story of a graphic design enthusiast

Imagine a 13-year-old kid, staring at his computer screen, desperately trying to create a decent YouTube intro. This is how it all began for TRAVISUALS, a young freelance graphic designer who knew how to transform his passion into a profession.

At the time, there was a craze for 3D intros on YouTube. Everyone wanted one, and our young hero was no exception. So he started learning software like C4D and After Effects. Well, suffice to say that it was not a cakewalk. But instead of giving up, he had this revelation that would change his life: he loved this creative process.

Realizing that animation was a little too complex for his skills at the time, he turned to creating banners. And there, bingo! He had found his thing. While his classmates focused on their homework, he spent hours behind the screen creating again and again. He was not the model student, far from it. But behind his computer, he finally felt at home.

It must be said that the family environment had something to do with it. His father, a graphic designer by profession, was a constant source of inspiration. Without even realizing it, little TRAVISUALS was watching his father work with the same tools he uses today. It's as if he grew up in a living library of graphic design, with books on graphic design, typography and illustration at his fingertips.

But don't think it's all been easy. At school, TRAVISUALS was far from being a star. Neither popular nor cheesy, just... there. The ghost child, as he himself says. But when he discovered the magic of creation, everything became crystal clear. It was his way.

However, as he grew up, he put all that aside. The high school years have arrived, and with them, the reality of bad grades and limited career options. At one point, he was even applied to be a cashier, abandoning all his dreams. But sometimes, it's when we're against the wall that we remember who we really are. And that’s exactly what happened for TRAVISUALS.

Today, at only 20 years old, he has been a freelance graphic designer for a year and a half. And believe me, it's not always easy. When his friends tell him how lucky he is to work from home, whenever he wants, he can't help but think of the enormous responsibility that entails. Being your own boss at 20 is cool, but it also makes you dizzy.

His creative process? It's a completely abstract thing. Sometimes inspiration comes suddenly, watching a movie like "American Psycho." Other times, it's while walking down the street and observing a shape on the ground, a cloud, a color. But more often than not, it's endless scrolling on Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter, looking for that spark that will make it all start.

And this is where it gets interesting. TRAVISUALS is the first to admit that it is caught in this endless spiral of social media consumption. This is a problem that many creatives face today. We're constantly looking for inspiration, ingesting content all day long, and hoping something will click.

But be careful, this is not always the best approach. TRAVISUALS knows this well, and that is why it advises not to force things. If inspiration doesn't come, perhaps it's time to go out, talk to family, friends, recharge your batteries in activities that have nothing to do with work.

What is fascinating about TRAVISUALS is its way of approaching work. It does not impose a strict schedule or inflexible deadlines. For him, the main thing is to deliver a quality product of which he is proud. Whether it takes him an hour or ten, it doesn't matter. This is the advantage of his job: if he is productive, he can do what he wants with his remaining time.

But make no mistake, this freedom comes at a price. TRAVISUALS lives its art from morning to evening. It's ingrained in his personality to create and find inspiration everywhere. And when you have a consuming passion like his, it's difficult to be reasonable and balance things.

Ultimately, the story of TRAVISUALS reminds us that the path to success is not always what we imagine. Sometimes you have to be willing to give up the security of a traditional job to follow your passion. It's scary, it's uncertain, but when you find your way, it's worth it.

So, to all the young creatives who recognize themselves in this story, don’t be afraid to dive in. Yes, you will probably spend too much time on social media. Yes, you will have moments of doubt. But if you are passionate like TRAVISUALS, you will find your way. And who knows, maybe in a few years, it will be your story that inspires the next generation of graphic designers.