We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gigi Dayan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gigi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a painter or a drawer. I have drawings my mother kept from me drawing houses in perspective when I was just 5 years old. The drawing was all I could think about. Then I wanted to study beaux-arts, a French institution. Being poor and painting was my biggest dream! I was going to sign up for beaux-arts in 12th grade when a friend of mine told me he was going to a graphic design school. I had never heard of graphic design before, but he told me it was both art and computer science. I was fascinated by technology, so I visited the school. This is the best thing I’ve ever done!

I could actually make money through my art!

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

My name is Gigi, and I am French. I am a graphic designer and a web designer living in Los Angeles. I was born and raised in a small town near the coast in southwest France called Saint Georges de Didonne!
People are leaving this town in less numbers than those running the Los Angeles marathon!
I studied Graphic Design at ECV, Ecole de communication visual, in Bordeaux for four years. In 1993, I graduated!
In this school, computers were treated as a tool and we were explicitly taught to use our art first!

In the years following my graduation, I worked in a packaging agency in France and then in London for four years, before moving to Los Angeles 19 years ago.

It was always possible for me to work as a graphic designer, and after the birth of my second child, I started my freelance agency, GigiMagine.
It is possible for me to work from home, but also from anywhere in the world!
Web Design came after, with Wix, the Drag and Drop platform is amazing. I am now a Wix Pro Designer and I love it! The design allows me to express my art. My clients often describe me as an intuitive designer. that’s a big compliment to me.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being creative is not just a job for me, it’s a necessary part of my daily life. Creating something new each day is essential for my happiness and overall well-being. However, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is when I get to share my creations with others, and they absolutely love what I’ve made for them. It’s almost like an intuitive creativity, where I can sense what my clients want and need, and bring it to life in a way that exceeds their expectations. It’s an incredible feeling, almost like being a psychic, and it gives me a rush similar to that of running a race. The satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life through my creativity is truly priceless.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Sure, I’d love to share my story of building an audience on social media! My advice to those just starting out would be to focus on being the most authentic version of yourself. Social media can be a powerful tool to connect with others, but it’s also easy to fall into the trap of presenting a curated version of yourself that doesn’t feel genuine.

I’ve found that sharing personal things once in a while, like my hobbies and passions, can make a big difference in building a connection with my audience. In today’s world where everything is online, it’s easy to feel disconnected from others and even from ourselves. By sharing genuine content, we can make a real impact on both our audience and our own well-being.

Another key piece of advice is to engage with your audience and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Social media is a two-way street, and building a community means creating a space where people feel heard and valued.

Of course, it’s important to also have a clear understanding of your brand and the message you want to convey. Consistency is key when it comes to building a social media presence, so make sure your content and messaging align with your overall goals and values.

Overall, building an audience on social media takes time and effort, but staying true to yourself, sharing personal content, and engaging with your audience can make all the difference. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gigimagine.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigimagine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GigiMagine
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigimagine-agency-10b143237/
• Other: Wix partner profile : https://manage.wix.com/marketplace/wix-partner/gigimagine