We recently connected with Molly Beth Covin and have shared our conversation below.
Molly Beth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
My journey as a designer has been characterized by continuous learning and growth. There’s no “quick route” to success; it’s been a process of trial and error, teaching me patience, attention to detail, effective communication, and time management—skills that are fundamental to my success.
While earning my degree in graphic design, I tried the involve myself in anything and everything. I worked for my family’s business, consistently worked towards advancing my freelance side hustle into an actual business, joined a sorority and took multiple leadership roles within my sorority as well as other organizations on campus, and I had the honor of being a graphic design intern for the Mississippi State football team for my last two years of college. All while being a full-time art student working towards a degree and a minor in marketing. This was my biggest obstacle. My schedule never felt settled and my designs suffered from that.
As I approached the end of my senior year, my schedule began to stabilize, my priorities began to shift, and I started to refocus myself as both an individual and a designer. I started to understand the importance of those last few memories with my friends and family because I knew after graduation all of that would change. Sure, I still had sleepless nights- but they were because I put off a project to watch a movie with my sorority sisters. I still got stressed- but it was mostly because I was fitting internship or job interviews into my schedule. I still was too critical of myself and my designs- but it was because I could see the finish line of it all. I was seeing everything start to come together for my senior exhibit and portfolio, I got my dream summer internship, and my friends and I were making plans to see each other over the summer.
Overall, my journey to becoming skilled in my craft has been a combination of formal education, hands-on experience, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt and grow. Each experience has contributed to my development as a designer and has shaped the way I approach and execute projects.
Molly Beth, 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?
I was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, where my journey as a designer began amidst the vibrant colors and patterns of my hometown. From a young age, I was drawn to art, preferring accelerated art classes over core subjects like math and science. While I recognized my talent, it wasn’t until I was offered the role of Graphic Designer at my family’s local printing business at age 16 that I discovered my passion for design.
Starkville’s influence runs deep in my work, infusing it with a unique aesthetic that reflects the spirit of my community. It’s no surprise that I chose to pursue my degree in graphic design at Mississippi State University, immersing myself in the same environment that has shaped my design style.
My journey as a designer has been diverse and enriching, encompassing many creative services. With experience in print production from working at my family’s local print company, photography gained through my internship with the Mississippi State football team, marketing for multiple campus organizations’ social media platforms, packaging design from CURiO brands, product design, and sales experience through Molly Beth Designs, as well as brand identity through illustrations, logos, and other marketing materials for my current role with Mississippi State University, I offer a diverse range of skills and options to match different requests and audiences.
What I’m most proud of is my commitment to growing my business. Molly Beth Designs offers various products that promise to deliver bright, colorful, and bold designs every time. I recently introduced my designs to Etsy, with plans to expand my collections and reach new audiences. Pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration further underscores my dedication to mastering the business side of design, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to market and sell my creations effectively.
In essence, my journey is a testament to my passion for design, my resilience in the face of challenges, and my unwavering commitment to excellence. As I continue to evolve and grow as a designer, I look forward to making a meaningful impact in the world of design and beyond.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the notion that perfection is always attainable and necessary in creative work. Early on, my designs were often admired and complimented thoroughly. This instilled in me a belief that imperfections were failures to be avoided at all costs. However, the more I grew in the creative industry and gained more experience, I came to realize that perfectionism can hinder innovation and growth.
The backstory to this realization lies in my journey as a designer. Many days in college were entirely dedicated to critiquing each other’s work. I would often spend excessive amounts of time obsessing over minute details, striving for perfection in every project. This mindset not only caused unnecessary stress but also stifled my creativity.
Over time, I began to understand that creativity thrives in an environment where mistakes are embraced as learning experiences rather than failures. I learned to let go of my perfectionist tendencies and embrace the imperfections inherent in the creative process. This shift in mindset allowed me to take more risks, explore new ideas, and ultimately produce more innovative and impactful work.
Unlearning the lesson of perfectionism was a liberating experience that has transformed my approach to design. I now understand that imperfections are not only inevitable but also essential to the creative process. By embracing imperfection and embracing the journey of continuous learning and growth, I’ve been able to unleash my creativity and achieve greater fulfillment in my work.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One particular experience that stands out as a testament to my resilience occurred during my junior year of college when I was balancing a heavy course load, starting my marketing minor, two part-time jobs, and various extracurricular commitments.
At the time, I was juggling a rewarding internship that was also very time-consuming, designing for my family’s printing company while also maintaining my studies and involvement in campus organizations. The workload was overwhelming, and there were moments when I felt like I was on the brink of burnout.
One particularly challenging week, I faced a series of setbacks that tested my resilience. I was going for a campus organization that I had tried every year of college for. This was my last attempt, as I would start with this organization my senior year. For the second year, I made it to the last round of interviews- I was so close I could taste it. For the interview, they ask you to bring in your schedule to show where you could incorporate the organization into your schedule. I had intentionally removed two commitments from my schedule to make myself look more available. A few days go by and it is time to pick up our results letters. I decided to go with my boyfriend and open ours at the same time… I did not get it and he did. I wanted to be so excited for him, but I was too busy feeling upset for myself. Just when I thought the day could not get any worse, I booked a one-way trip down a flight of concrete stairs. My boyfriend found me at the bottom with the breath knocked out of me, my glasses missing, and completely disheveled.
To say the least, I must have found something beyond a humbling experience at the bottom of those stairs- I also found that I was not giving myself any time or grace. What should have probably been a trip to the hospital- I instead went back to my sorority house. I spent the entire night explaining to my friends that my busted and bruised lips were not the result of lip fillers gone wrong- it was just a really bad day. They helped me laugh about the entire experience and we still laugh about it to this day. I realized that night, I was missing out on so many moments with my friends and family.
Looking back, that experience taught me the importance of resilience (and a good laugh) in the face of adversity. It reinforced my belief in the power of a good laugh, good friends, and even the occasional flight of concrete stairs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mollybethdesigns.com/
- Instagram: @mollybeth.designs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-covin-7b2b311b2/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MollyBethDesign
