We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Claynita Hill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Claynita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
Authenticity is one of my personal values and I knew I wanted to encompass that with my brand, Claydsgns. After rebranding about 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted the name to be memorable, unique, and a representation of me, a multifaceted creative. Incorporating my name, Clay, is a direct reflection of me, adds a genuine touch, and establishes a personal connection to the work I produce. This connection fosters trust and a sense of familiarity, which is vital in the design industry where client relationships play a major role. Combining “Clay” and “designs” communicates the essence of my business – design work by Clay and also seamlessly blends my personal identity with the design aspect of my brand. It communicates that the designs I create are not generic, but crafted and personalized by me. Claydsgns tells my story.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Born and raised in Miami, FL, I’m a creative with 7 years of experience in graphic design. I graduated with a Masters in Sports Management and although I have a pretty unconventional educational background, design is where my passion lies. I’ve always had a good sense for visuals and a desire to be creative; sketching, painting, DIY projects, you name it. My graphic design journey began during my undergraduate tenure at Bethune-Cookman University. While being a member of multiple organizations, I took on the task of designing flyers and other marketing materials for programs and events. I knew then that I wanted to take my artistic skills to the next level.
In 2018, I launched my own venture, “Golden Crafts Collection”. During this time, I offered a diverse range of design services including paintings, hand-made crafts, and graphic design tailored to college students and organizations.
Fast forward to today, my business has evolved into Digital Graphic Design E-Commerce, specializing in creating visually appealing experiences that drive growth for brands while focusing on various mediums like print and digital advertisement; product packaging; brand identity; social media graphics; email marketing design; web design; and interface design. My experience collaborating with brands and businesses allow me to explore my skills as a designer and connect with people of various backgrounds and industries.
I believe in the power of good design. My goals as a graphic designer are to continue helping brands grow through creativity, tell stories through design, build lasting relationships, and positively impact lives.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Growing up, I believed that any mistake or imperfection meant failure and that achieving perfection was a measure of success. This mindset fueled imposter syndrome, as I felt I needed to constantly prove my worth through flawless performance.
Over time, I realized that perfection is an unrealistic standard. I started challenging the idea that success requires flawlessness and instead embraced the concept of continuous improvement. I learned that making mistakes is a natural part of growth and doesn’t diminish my abilities.
The key was shifting the focus from avoiding mistakes to learning from them. Celebrating small victories and acknowledging progress, even with imperfections, helped reshape my mindset. Unlearning the notion that success equals perfection allowed me to appreciate my skills and accomplishments without constantly doubting myself.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Social media has been pivotal in my clientele growth. Early in my career as a graphic designer, I realized the power of showcasing not just the final designs but also the process behind them. Instead of simply posting finished projects, I started sharing snippets of my creative process, including mockups and time-lapse videos of my work.
Additional steps I took and continue to implement include sharing success stories and client testimonials, actively engaging with my followers, ensuring that my social media profiles have a cohesive and professional look (consistent branding), using relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of my posts, and sharing valuable content related to graphic design trends, tips, or tutorials. By applying these strategies, I saw an increase in inquiries and commissions. The transparency in showcasing my process not only attracted clients interested in my style but also built trust in my skills and professionalism.
As a designer who is continuously learning and growing, my plans are to collaborate and network with other designers, businesses, and influencers. This can open doors to new opportunities, audiences and potential clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.claydsgns.com
- Instagram: @claydsgns
- Other: TikTok @claydsgns
Image Credits
freepik.com