My Journey as a Creative: From Small Projects to Joining Projects with Big Companies 🎯

The Begining of My Journey

When I look back at where everything started, it’s amazing to see how far creativity has taken me. My journey as a creative didn’t begin in a design agency or a professional workspace — it started in high school, in the middle of organizing school events, designing posters, and helping my friends with creative ideas for our student organization (OSIS).

At that time, I didn’t think of design as a career path. It was simply something I enjoyed doing — creating visuals, arranging colors, and making every school event look exciting. But little did I know, those small creative tasks would become the first steps that led me into the creative industry.

From OSIS Projects to Purposeful Creations

Being part of OSIS (Organisasi Siswa Intra Sekolah) was where I truly found my passion for design and visual storytelling. Every event we organized — from school festivals to social campaigns — needed promotional materials. I volunteered to create posters, banners, and social media content.

Those experiences taught me how powerful visuals could be in catching attention and conveying messages clearly. I started experimenting with design software, searching for better ways to express ideas. At first, I used simple tools, but later, I discovered Figma, and it completely changed how I approached design.

Figma allowed me to bring my concepts to life — I could sketch wireframes, build digital posters, and share my work instantly with teammates. Even though we were still students, Figma made collaboration feel professional. That’s when I realized: design was more than just a hobby. It was a skill I wanted to grow.

Discovering the Power of Figma

When I started learning Figma, I was fascinated by how easy it was to turn ideas into interactive visuals. I didn’t need to keep sending files back and forth — everything was in one place. I used it for:

• Designing event posters and campaign layouts.

• Creating mockups for social media or website concepts.

• Exploring typography and color theory directly on digital canvases.

Figma wasn’t just a tool; it became my creative lab. I learned about components, auto layout, and prototyping — even though I'm still in university. Each project made me more confident in my visual direction and decision-making.

Soon, my Figma files looked like professional workspaces. I organized layers, used consistent grids, and started thinking like a designer who cared about both function and beauty.

The Leap to Inspiring Unileader by Unilever

Big Event of Inspiring Unileader by Unilever

After high school, I wanted to see how far my creative skills could take me. I began taking on small freelance design projects — helping local businesses and communities with their branding and digital visuals.

But one of the most meaningful milestones in my journey was when I joined Inspiring Unileader by Unilever, a youth development and leadership program that also connected creativity with real business impact. It was my first time collaborating in a structured environment with mentors, professionals, and other talented young people from various backgrounds.

In the program, I got the opportunity to work on projects that required creative design — combining creativity, data, and empathy to solve real challenges. I used Figma to design digital campaign visuals that supported our project.

What amazed me most was how Unilever encouraged innovation and collaboration. Every feedback session pushed me to think deeper — not just about visuals, but about why a design works and how it connects with people.

Through Inspiring Unileader, I learned that creativity can create real impact when it meets purpose. It wasn’t just about aesthetics anymore; it was about communication, problem-solving, and creating value.

Growing Through Each Collaboration

Participant of Inspiring Unileader by Unilever at GRHA Unilever

Working alongside professionals and mentors at Unilever made me realize how essential communication, structure, and adaptability are in creative work. I learned how big companies approach design systematically — from building strong brand guidelines to implementing design systems that ensure consistency across platforms.

During teamwork sessions, Figma once again became my main creative space. It was where I built layouts, presented concepts, and received feedback in real-time. I saw how teams used design tokens, variants, and prototypes to align everyone’s ideas effectively.

That experience completely transformed the way I work. I started to see design not just as art, but as a bridge between creativity and purpose — a process that could inspire, influence, and lead change.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Looking back, there are a few key lessons from my journey:

1. Every small start matters. Designing posters for OSIS might seem simple, but those early challenges built my creative foundation.

2. Tools empower your ideas. Mastering Figma helped me communicate my designs clearly and collaborate efficiently.

3. Purpose makes creativity powerful. Through programs like Inspiring Unileader, I learned that creativity becomes impactful when it’s aligned with real-world goals.

4. Collaboration is growth. Working with others — from classmates to professionals — always brings new perspectives and opportunities to learn.

Looking Ahead

Now, I continue to grow as a creative professional — exploring new fields like UI/UX design, branding, and digital storytelling. I still use Figma every day, not only because it’s powerful but because it represents my creative journey: from OSIS projects to participating in Inspiring Unileader by Unilever, and beyond.

Every project feels like a new chance to tell a story, to make an idea come alive, and to leave something meaningful behind. My path as a creative has been full of lessons, and I know this is just the beginning of something even greater.

Because creativity — when guided by purpose — can truly inspire change.