Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Chavez.
Ana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I’ve been an artist since I was in middle school. I’m a 29 years old DACA Recipient that is hard of hearing. I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to California with my family when I was about 7. When I was only a couple of days old as a premature, I lost 60% of my hearing and had to have my right leg amputated. I sign American Sign Language but also speak in Spanish and English to communicate as best as I can. We came to America for a place to call home and for better access to an education and resources for my disabilities. It’s been difficult to find employment given my circumstances but my passion for arts gives me an opportunity to work. I love bringing someone else’s vision to life and seeing how my art helps them. In Hesperia Junior High School, I always felt left out, confused and rejected because I couldn’t communicate normally. I felt like I didn’t have a voice, so one day I decided to sit down on the bench during lunch and started coloring on paper. I would scribble my thoughts and feelings that were bothering me. That’s when I fell in love with creative expression. It was a way for me to feel heard. Later in Hesperia High School, I was introduced to graphic design and became obsessed! I knew this was what I wanted to do so after high school, I attended Victor Valley College for seven years until I finally got my A.A. in Computer Integrated Design & Graphics and A.S. in Liberal Arts / Arts and Humanities. Today, I do my best to make money as a freelance graphic designer but am also waiting for my time to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not really, but graphic design has shaped who I am as an artist and person. For me, community college was a huge challenge because I had to learn everything through an interpreter. Every day, I focus on working through obstacles and don’t let my disabilities limit what I can do. In earlier years, I questioned if graphic design was the right career because it’s been hard to find employment, but freelancing gives me hope. As a graphic designer, I work with deaf, hard-of-hearing and regular hearing clients and I do my best to provide them with great customer service. I work hard to communicate with them successfully. I love what I do because working with people helps me grow; I develop more interpersonal skills and get better at doing business with others. Although I’m 29, I still struggle to live a fully independent life but I know I’ll get there one day. My mother, brother and amazing friends have supported me through everything and I’m so grateful to have them.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Zevanna Design – what should we know?
“Zevanna Design” is my freelance graphic design business that I started in 2015. I specialize in graphic design, illustration, basic motion graphics, photography and create t-shirts, stickers, logos, digital portraits, fliers, album covers, business cards, characters, banners, postcards and invitations. I only deliver high-quality designs and I’m obsessed with detail. If you need any graphic design work, please keep me in mind! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: etsy.com/shop/
ZevannaDesign - Phone: 760-488-6688
- Email: zevannadesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zevannadesign/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/zevannadesign
Image Credit:
All the images credited and designed by Ana Chavez
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