Meet Nikoo Nooryani of Persian Cowgirl in La Brea

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikoo Nooryani.

Nikoo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I really got my start being mischievous and creative when I was younger. I started exploring rebellion at an early age in Los Angeles. I would run around the west side on the Big Blue Bus or head east on the 720 Metro Line, and sometimes I would do so at times when I should have probably been studying.

For me, the real lessons were in what experiences I could explore for myself. What scenes I saw around town, and how that freedom to chase the present satisfied my yearnings. I started collaging and becoming infatuated with the possibility of layering messages together, of communication with others and provoking human experiences. Perhaps by defying growing up as an angsty teen, I equipped myself to create an adult life that still satisfies and nurtures my imagination.

Being a bad kid was what makes me a good adult. I believe where I am now is realizing that energy into creativity, freedom and the pursuit of purpose in my day to day. A lot of what you’re told to stop doing as you grow older is exactly what you need to be doing, and so I find resistance to be a true driving force for me.

In my work as a digital designer, I think a lot about intuition. So much communication nowadays feel intuitive, especially with a population that relies heavily on social media as a provider of human interaction. I think it’s vital that you stay playful throughout your every moment IRL or online so as to keep fresh and connected with yourself ultimately.

I moved to Los Angeles when I was five or six from Iran. I was born in Tehran, and the Persian aspect of my identity has been a true guiding force for me. I learn so much from the power of the people, we forget that humans are all united by our ability to dream. I feel to dream is to see the opportunity for betterment.

What makes Los Angeles really exist for me is that it is a place where you must resist the urge of giving up or giving in for the urge to evolve instead. It’s always here, and it’s what you make of it for yourself.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
On the path to this current state I am in, I have encountered mostly struggles. But this is not a coincidence. I took extreme risks to achieve what I wanted, I sacrificed a lot and had support during times when I probably would have failed miserably otherwise.

Overall, I’d say it was worth it more so than I can even express. When in doubt, I always err on the side of weighing out the risks and advantages first. Then, a great deciding factor is if the advantages are your happiness, enjoyment of life, and the pursuit of purpose.

Obviously, if those are the stakes, then the struggles just become part of the journey. I don’t mean to belittle struggles, but I believe that we can all manifest strength inward if we just build a connection with ourselves.

As soon as I felt connected to myself, the world around me started responding to me. I also try to be mindful of the differences between happiness and purpose, this is a lesson that the struggles have taught me.

Please tell us about Persian Cowgirl.
I am an interactive designer currently working full time for a brand I admire and support. The hand-lettering and watercolors or collages I do would be what I’m known for mostly, but it all depends on who you ask, obviously.

I have noticed that my style for creating digital experiences that feel handmade and luxurious simultaneously are a great topic of discussion when I meet new clients or peers.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Read more books.

Contact Info:

• Website: persiancowgirl.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persiancowgirl/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nikoochu

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