Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jordyne Mcneil. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jordyne, appreciate you joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

Creativity has been a significant part of my life since I was a little girl. I always envisioned myself doing something related to art, specifically painting. However, my parents, who are very traditional, believed that pursuing a career in painting would not provide me with financial stability. They held the belief that college should be about choosing a major that could lead to a secure job and financial well-being, a mindset I still think about today.

Many people approach their career choices by imagining how their future will look in a specific job while considering if it will provide financial security. I understood that a career in painting might not offer me that stability, especially since, as a creative, developing great ideas often takes time, and not every idea will succeed.

As a result, I pivoted and decided to major in something I knew little about: interior design. I thought this would help satisfy my desire to be creative without the need to paint or draw regularly. However, I soon realized that many of the principles of art are integral to interior design as well. This realization dawned on me when I returned to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.

I also switched my minor from furniture design to printmaking, and that’s when my two passions began to collide—bringing me immense happiness. The challenge I faced was not knowing what I wanted to do after graduation. While I was eager to earn my degree in interior design and work in that field, I felt that interior design alone might not fulfill me.

The main question became: how could I incorporate all the things I loved into a career that would also provide financial stability? I decided to pursue a job in interior design while also exploring opportunities in real estate. Alongside this, I planned to start painting again and designing hand-printed wallpapers, allowing me to blend my passions from each area. My goal was to create something that not only I would love but that would also resonate with my clients.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, my name is Jordyne McNeil, and I am a recent graduate in interior design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. I am originally from Augusta, Georgia, but I have spent most of my recent time in Atlanta. Throughout my life, I attended public magnet schools that emphasized art, music, and dance, which allowed me to explore various creative outlets.

From kindergarten through college, I’ve realized that I love learning new things and have a wealth of ideas. I cherish friendships and connections with others. Currently, I have taken a break from work and have been traveling extensively. The reason I decided to take a break is that I have been in school consistently since kindergarten and have never paused to reflect or recharge. Many people I know have encouraged me to take a break, and I feel this is the perfect time to do so before starting a long-term career.

My plan is to work as an interior designer or a real estate agent while still making time to paint and work with furniture, including creating wallpaper. Although I have told myself that I am not actively working, I do take on projects pro bono because, as a recent graduate, I genuinely enjoy helping people.

One of the most challenging aspects of a project is figuring out what the client will love and how to meet their needs. It’s crucial to balance selling yourself as a designer while also selling your clients a dream that you know they will want when designing for them. This is one of my personal strengths.

After completing my coursework for my major, I have come to appreciate my strong mindset for conceptualization and my ability to multitask. Staying focused on a specific problem for too long can frustrate people, but I thrive by jumping between different parts of a project. I appreciate this quality in myself.

When I officially enter the job market, I want others to understand that, in my line of work, the key takeaway from interior design is that creativity is essential, and the client must always be the top priority in any project.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is that perfection isn’t necessary; your imperfections can still hold value in your work. I used to set a goal for myself to achieve perfection or to make everything look exactly as I had envisioned it. As a child, I was very hard on myself. I strived for the best grades and aimed to be the most creative. However, I eventually had to ask myself why I felt the need to place myself on such a high pedestal, and the answer remains unclear.

From elementary school to high school, and then from high school to college, my perspective on creativity underwent a drastic change. My professors and friends encouraged me to think outside the box to achieve great results in my projects. When I started experimenting with printmaking, I spent a lot of time drawing by hand. However, technical processes often proved to be much more challenging to draw or create digitally.

Ultimately, I aimed to produce precise pieces that would be well-received, but in some instances, I made mistakes. The outcomes of the techniques I learned in print class rarely matched my initial expectations. I would often feel frustrated and upset. However, as my professor, friends, and colleagues viewed my projects, I began to appreciate the value of the imperfections. They pointed out small details that I hadn’t even noticed, which they found beautiful. Those comments stuck with me and fostered a sense of comfort with the idea of making mistakes.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When starting a journey, most people have the overall When starting a journey, most people aim for financial success. In my creative field of study, I also want to achieve financial success, but that is not my primary concern. Many people lose interest in their pursuits, so my main goal is to ensure that I am physically, emotionally, and mentally successful. This way, I can have a stable profession and continue to pursue my work with the techniques and approach I have developed.

Another important goal for me is to find job opportunities that encompass my interests, including real estate, interior design, painting, and printmaking. Additionally, one of my greatest ambitions is to keep learning to nurture my creativity as I progress in my career.

Throughout this journey, I have made many friends who help me view projects from different perspectives. My family has also encouraged me to think outside the box when approaching specific projects. As long as I continue to gather information that enhances my skills, I will be truly satisfied in each job I undertake.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _jojobaoil_
• Linkedin: https://linkedIn.com/in/jordyne-mcneil-a57569203

Image Credits

Monique Porter

Caren Brown

Olivia Tao