We were lucky to catch up with Karla Gruss recently and have shared our conversation below.

Karla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style. Do you have an interesting story from that stage of your career that you can share with us?

During my master’s, I interned at a major fashion house. It was an opportunity so in demand it was unpaid and came with a toxic work environment. In my first week, I worked more than 20 extra hours, spent the entire weekend in the office, and received no proper introduction or training. But I knew the key was to seek out my own opportunities and to go the extra mile. For any young designer, this hunger to grow, connect, and learn is essential.

Many told me to quit, saying I was being taken advantage of. But I chose to push through. I learned a great deal and, more importantly, began building the network that would shape my career.

Internships and apprenticeships are often the gateway to opportunity—especially if you don’t already have connections and a network. These roles are often unpaid, exhausting, and far removed from the dream. But in the creative industry, where competition is intense, proving yourself is part of the path.

Through these experiences, I discovered what I loved and what I didn’t. I learned to set boundaries, to advocate for myself, and to believe in my talent. At first, no one took me seriously, I felt like the intern whose voice didn’t matter. But once I understood the dynamics, I realized: it’s always up to you. Everyone is human. People respond to good ideas when they’re clearly and confidently expressed.

Eventually, even those I once looked up to began to see me as a peer. I grew more confident in my craft and understood the critical importance of communication. Those early, unpaid roles gave me the tools and resilience I needed to do the work I do today.

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

I’m a graphic designer and photographer, and I recently launched my own creative studio, Office Karla Gruss.

With a background in business, I’ve always approached my work with a rational and structured mindset. Still, breaking into the creative industry wasn’t easy. I studied graphic design at Parsons, where I received a strong foundation—both conceptually and technically—but it wasn’t the kind of environment that naturally opened doors into the working world.

Networking didn’t come through the classroom, so I started building it myself. I pursued multiple internships during school, but it was after graduating that I fully immersed myself in New York’s creative scene. Most of my freelance work today comes from the people I meet organically—through friends, events, or nights out. The creative world here is a bubble: once you connect with someone’s vision and start exchanging ideas, collaborations naturally follow.

That’s how I built momentum. Today, I’m typically juggling around five projects at a time, spanning product design, book design, web design, video production, and fashion editorial shoots.

While I’m still early in my journey, I’ve learned the value of breadth—and now, increasingly, the power of focus. As I continue to define my aesthetic and sharpen my point of view, I’ve become more selective. I no longer say yes to every opportunity, and that shift has allowed me to fully commit to the work I care about. That’s when the work really starts to become good.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I’ve learned that whatever I take on, I have to give it my full effort. In a city like New York, where everyone is connected, word travels fast. If you approach a project half-heartedly, people notice, and they won’t want to work with you again.

Clients gravitate toward those who are positive, driven, and reliable. Laziness simply doesn’t survive here. I give every client my best, and that commitment is what leads to referrals and new opportunities. In the end, if people like working with you, they’ll spread the word. It’s that simple.

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

The most rewarding part is that I’m working for myself and doing what I love. Of course, there are days when work feels like work and its endless. That’s part of any job.

But I set my own pace. I don’t wait on others, and I’m not forced to suppress my needs within the structure of a 9-to-5. Freelancing allows me to work the hours I need, in the way that suits me best, and that autonomy brings me real happiness.

Following my own vision not only fulfills me creatively, but also pushes me to grow personally in ways I never expected.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karlagruss.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlagruss/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlagruss0804

Image Credits

Karla Gruss