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

Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since the second grade, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I loved doing anything creative and would happily spend hours imagining and drawing. It wasn’t until senior year of high school that I was made aware my artistic skills could be turned into a career. I toured a few art schools as well as in-state schools and felt a gravitation towards RMCAD’s illustration program, igniting my passion to hone my design skills.

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.

I graduated from RMCAD with a BFA in Illustration in 2013. I moved back home to Kansas City, KS and started “The job” hunt, but the universe didn’t send it my way just yet. So, I worked part time at a local ceramic shop and coffee house. I took commission work and created projects on the side to keep practice. In 2016 I enrolled at JCCC’s 2 year Graphic Design program. In my last two semesters, I had 2 different internships. I learned so much on hand that you just can’t recreate from a classroom setting. From my Spring internship I learned about a job opening for a Designer role at Hallmark! I applied thinking “there’s no way”… Three weeks post-graduation, I started “The job”!

Presently, I am a Senior Greeting Card Designer at Hallmark Cards, where I work on cards that range from seasonal to every day occasions. It’s humbling to work on a product that may connect people by a message they may be needing in their current season of life. I love that I get to be a (small) part of manifesting a tactile memento that bridges relationships for our consumers.

When I’m not designing cards, I’m working on freelance work consisting of wedding suite designs, cut paper illustrations, custom portraits and one-of-a-kind projects that come along. I’ve always loved working on a range of concepts and different mediums. I thrive from a creative challenge that allows me to flex my technical skills and imagine something new with my clients. Just like my work at Hallmark, I believe a collaborative process makes for the best outcome.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I moved home after my first degree, with no job prospects and no real direction. It was a struggle not having my footing or finding job opportunities that matched my degree – Illustration. I felt lost and for someone that’s very ambitious and goal oriented, this road block left me feeling imposter syndrome, unprepared and overwhelmed. Was art school the right move? Not a comfortable space to be in after I just spend so much time and effort finessing my craft and technical skills, feeling like all the hard work had prepared me to start a “perfect” career. Very much the embodiment of 1 step forward 2 steps back.

It took a few years of being aimlessly creative (and a heart to heart with a family friend) to push myself and enroll for a supplementing degree – graphic design. Honestly, it felt like owning up to a failure. But I embraced that this program could be another tool in my toolbox. It’d allow me to work my (and other’s) illustrations into design. Things just clicked. Here we are now!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love when I get to capture a special moment or create something meaningful for a client. Especially with a Hallmark card. It’s humbling to think that my work has manifested in form of a memento, that may connect people in a time of need. Specifically, tough times like illness or sympathy are when we may most need an act of empathy. Caring for each other has always been a personal pursuit – being stewards of our company we keep, in good and the not so good times. How cool is it that a way I can provide that is through creativity!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lauraballardart.com
• Instagram: lauraballardart