Today’s episode features writer, artist, and designer Ash Huang. Her essays have appeared in FastCompany, Offscreen Mag, and Lean Out. Her novel, The Firesteel, won first place in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards. An early designer at Twitter and Pinterest, and currently at Adobe, Ash has also been her own boss over the years, giving her unique career insights to share.

More about this episode: majomolfino.com/blog/2018/1/28/keep-going-with-ash-huang

Along with the ups and downs of her personal journey, Ash talks about the importance of knowing the rules (and how they’re subjective), the paradox of structure, and what it means to be free in your work. If you’re a multi-passionate creative, Ash offers encouraging wisdom on changing things up.

Show Notes:
-Ash growing up: A creative girl who talked to animals, dealing with feelings of “otherness”, and her desire for unique self-expression. [1:57]
-On loving her college years, graduating at the height of the recession, and her struggle to find a job. [6:30]
-Ash’s insights on following the rules, and her growing desire to be more free in her work. [11:22]
-The ups and downs of getting started as a freelancer. [15:57]
-On working at Twitter in its early days. [19:12]
-Learning about product design at Pinterest, and the onslaught of illness that forced her to step back and reevaluate her path. [23:49]
-Ash’s reflections on cultural rewards, fighting against the system, and figuring out her authentic process. [29:23]
-“My first brush with real art…” On writing her novel, The Firesteel, and departing from the Good Girl archetype. [34:08]
-On Ash’s transition from freelance to Adobe, and the unsexy sexiness of having structure. [40:29]
-On being multi-passionate and changing a lot through her twenties, and Ash’s final words of wisdom. [45:15]

References:
Majo's website – majomolfino.com
Ash’s website – ashsmash.com

Sponsor:
TuneIn – tunein.com

Music by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs – carolynpennypackerriggs.com

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