Lessons Learned

My Emerging Media Narrative

Throughout my Emerging Media journey, I’ve learned a lot — but the most valuable lessons came from understanding myself better.

A New Start. Again.

This year, I celebrate my 10th anniversary as an in-house graphic designer for the University System of Georgia’s eCampus, housed at the University of West Georgia.

Working for the university system comes with some great benefits, but the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is by far the most valuable. TAP allows employees to earn a degree at no cost. For years, I searched for a program that would suit my field and be manageable alongside full-time work.

USG Benefits Site

I started a Master’s in Marketing at Georgia State in early 2020, but quickly realized the cost was too high and TAP only covered a third of the tuition and fees. Despite my best efforts, I had to step away. A few weeks later, the pandemic hit, confirming it just wasn’t meant to be.

Like many people during the pandemic I began to evaluate what was important to me. I began to look at my life and really zoom out. The grim truth is, none of us knew for sure if we would come through the pandemic. This knowledge acted as a factory reset on my priorities. If life was to continue after this war-like-era, what did I want my life to look like after?

Looking for a Change

The best degree program to fit my goals was the Emerging Media program at UGA. I immediately knew I would apply as soon as applications opened for the 2-Year track. I was intrigued by the course list I actually tried to convince a coworker to apply to the Emerging Media program with me. She ultimately decided the change wasn’t worth the disruption. Around the same time, another friend was so burned out from a demanding creative job, she actually quit on the spot with no backup plan. One chose stability, the other risked everything for creative freedom. Although I feel both my friends made the right choice, watching these parallel events unfold made me reflect on my own path. I realized it was time to take control of my career.

Embarking on a New Journey

Starting the program was immediately challenging. Balancing a demanding full-time job with unfamiliar coursework led to many long, frustrating nights. Creating my own web products and learning new tools was daunting, but over time, I began to build confidence.

Snippet from EM page

Each semester proved to have it’s own challenges and began a tradition of watching my favorite movie, You’ve got Mail as a celebration after the close of each semester. During Fall of 2023, I struggled to learn two coding languages, Swift and Javascript, at the same time. Learning two new skillsets was overwhelming and I decided to lean on my my good friends, Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox to get me through it. I developed jukebox projects for both courses to honor my love of this Nora Ephron classic. Styling an ios app with a 90s vibe was more fun than I could have imagined.

Screen captures of ‘You’ve Got Music’ CSS/JS and Swift jukebox projects

One of the most important lessons I learned was to approach new challenges with less perfectionism and more confidence. In traditional print design, I’d sketch out multiple drafts and refine them through peer feedback. But in any new medium: oil paint, crochet, woodworking, or code, the process is slower. Even the first draft takes time to build. I had to re-learn how to draft in a different way.

The motto of this program, “Make something work, then make it work better,” became a guiding principle for me. I had to get comfortable with things looking messy before they could look good. A concept that helped reframe my thinking came from writer Anne Lamott, who introduced the idea of the “***shitty first draft**” in her book Bird by Bird*.

“All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.” — Anne Lamott

Her perspective shattered my perfectionist mindset. I stopped expecting the first version of anything I made to be good. Instead, I learned to focus on getting something working and then improving it from there.

Snippets of design and development from my EM journey

Gradually, I came to understand the value of iteration. In fact, the messier the first draft, the better. That early imperfection gave me permission to learn, grow, and improve without fear. The lesson of trying, failing, adjusting, and improving allowed me to move through unfamiliar territory with more ease and less self-judgment.

At the start of this program, I didn’t realize how much pressure I was placing on myself to succeed. Perfect is the enemy of good. Pushing myself toward new concepts and understanding new skills led me to a better understanding of myself.

The Big Lesson

I can do it.

That’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learned — not a coding language, not project management, not UX theory. The lesson is; I can do it. Do what? Pretty much whatever I want. Using the tools, strategies, and creative approaches I’ve learned, I am excited to to step into any niche of emerging media that feels right.

I’ve developed a passion for interface design and deepened my love for video editing. But more importantly, I’ve learned that when I give myself some grace and allow space for joy, my best work emerges.

Now, at the end of this journey, I’m choosing to stop fixating on tiny flaws that keep me from finishing my work and filing it away as “not ready.” I’m sharing the gritty details of my process with pride.

There will always be room for improvement but I am choosing to celebrate this journey’s end with pride. I’m focusing on what I’ve gained: the understanding that my future is in my hands.

Personally, I’m preparing for a new chapter. My very supportive husband and I are beginning to plan our next move. After many years in the West Georgia area, we’re planning to move closer to family and friends in North Georgia. Big changes always bring big questions, but they also bring possibilities.

Thanks to this program, I know that no matter where the future takes us, I have options and I have a greater trust in myself. My goal is to remain authentic and grounded, and to keep growing creatively.

For now, I will kick back for my traditional close of semester, You’ve Got Mail Screening to deicide what my next move is.

I can’t wait to see what’s next.