We recently connected with Krislam Chin and have shared our conversation below.

Krislam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2018, I felt I was at the apex of my career. I truly enjoyed my work, loved the company, and had great relationships with my co-workers. It seemed like a place where I could spend the rest of my career feeling comfortable and happy. However, something inside me kept saying, “There is more to life than this.”

By then, I had been in my graphic design career for seven years but still had not fulfilled my dream of becoming a teacher. My soul was also nagging at me to return to school to pursue my bachelor’s degree, as I only had an associate’s degree. But how could I do that while working full-time? I even doubted my academic abilities, questioning whether I was smart enough to return to school. I sat in this doubt for quite some time.

Then, one day, I decided to take the most significant leap of my life. I quit my job with no plans, hardly any money in my bank account, and lots of credit card debt.

Looking back, it might have been irresponsible, but it was the fire I needed to pursue a better life. I became a full-time freelancer and returned to school to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. That leap was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the opportunities it brought allowed me to find myself again and again, eventually leading me to a life and career I love deeply.

None of this would have happened if I had stayed in my comfort zone. The risk was huge, and I was terrified, but living in the “What if…?” scared me more.

Krislam, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up as a Filipino-Chinese American, I faced significant pressure to pursue a career in the medical field, and for a while, I considered it. However, deep down, I knew it wouldn’t make me happy. My true passion was art and creating things that brought me joy. I spent many of my teenage years in front of the computer, building Myspace layouts on Corel Drawing Studio (before I knew Photoshop existed).

There was something magical about creating backgrounds and editing photos. I didn’t fully understand why it brought me so much joy, but it did, and I could do it for hours. My life changed during my junior year at Colony High School when I was placed in Graphic Design I as an elective. There, I met Mr. Michael Dahms, who introduced me to the world of graphic design. I fell deeply in love with it.

In high school, I was not academically inclined; I lacked motivation and didn’t earn good grades. But in that graphic design class, I came alive. I was determined to learn all the programs and excel in this space. One day, Mr. Dahms said, “What you’re doing is a real job in the industry.” At that moment, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I wanted to become a graphic designer, but more importantly, I wanted to become a teacher. Mr. Dahms ignited a fire in me, guiding me when I felt lost and unsure of my place in the world. His profound and unforgettable influence inspired me to support others who feel adrift, just as I once did.

Thirteen years later, I am proud to share that I own a learning-based studio in Los Angeles called “Hello World Studio” and am a tenure-track professor managing the Graphic Design & Illustration program at Mt. San Antonio College.

My journey has been filled with challenges, moments of doubt, countless failures and triumphs, and taking vast and scary risks. Each obstacle taught me resilience, and every success reaffirmed my passion. I am grateful for the opportunities and incredible people I’ve met.

While I’ve had many moments to be proud of my work, nothing brings me more joy than creating a safe space for my students and being part of their journey.

Hello World Studio is a learning-based graphic design studio in Los Angeles. We fully integrate emerging designers into the design process, pairing them with experienced directors for hands-on learning and fair compensation during their education. Working with Hello World means being an essential part of our mission to nurture the next wave of design talent.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

There are so many. I want to answer this question with a question: “Why not me?” This mantra is now a guiding principle in my life. I began my 9-5 corporate career at 19, a challenging time as I transitioned from a late teenager to a young adult.

During this period, I often reflected on moments when I could have pursued opportunities but felt inadequate because I didn’t look a certain way or didn’t think I was as smart enough as my peers and, sadly, many other things. I told myself that I simply wasn’t enough. I carried this unhealthy narrative with me for a very long time.

It wasn’t until I was 30, when I became an educator, that I realized that maintaining this mindset would do a huge disservice to my students, especially those who look like me. By breaking out of this mold and embracing my true self, I could inspire them to do the same.

I want the world to know that you can be a short, queer Asian woman, wear bright Hello Kitty sweaters and sneakers, and still be taken seriously for your intellect and expertise. Growing up, I had few role models who looked like me in leadership roles, and I want to be part of that change.

You are enough.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As graphic designers, we possess a unique set of problem-solving skills that are often overlooked. Our work, though it may be perceived as subjective due to its artistic nature, is in fact objective. We are trained to tackle real business challenges through effective communication, a skill that is often undervalued.

Our expertise is not just valuable; it is often crucial in critical conversations. When we are excluded from these discussions and given tight timelines, the result is often a reactive rather than proactive design-and-build process. This hampers our ability to create anything truly meaningful and impactful.

When hiring graphic designers, I invite stakeholders and business owners to view us as experts and thought partners. How often have we heard, “Well, my family member can do it on Canva for way less.” Proper design isn’t just about “making something pop,” “making something look good,” or “just making a logo.” Graphic design is a beautiful blend of art, business, psychology, and, to some degree, science. 

Sometimes, having a family member create something in Canva is appropriate. That’s fine. I’m not here to be the gatekeeper of design. But if you hire actual, passionate graphic designers, trust that we have your best interests at heart and let us do our job with the proper time, respect, care, and budget.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://helloworldstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professorkrislam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Other: https://www.mtsac.edu/graphics/