Story & Lesson Highlights with Ana Chavez of Victorville

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ana Chavez. Check out our conversation below.

Ana, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
In the first 90 minutes of my day, I wake up at 7:00 AM and get dressed up. I am a pomeranian mom and always check on my dog for her morning routine needs. I prepare breakfast for my dog, my family, and myself, then a cup of coffee before work. I work from home and review my to-do list on my computer to determine what I need to complete for the day. I also communicate with the team and clients to provide updates on design projects via instant messaging or video calls.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing disabled Latina artist and graphic designer. I grew up admiring my mother’s interest in arts and crafts, as she was a former elementary school teacher in Mexico. I had always been a creative artist because of her. I grew up speaking Spanish, English, and American Sign Language both with my family and at school. I attended speech therapy sessions to improve my English speaking skills from elementary school through high school. I entered high school and took a web and graphic design class as a freshman student, where I discovered my interest in graphic design.

I graduated from Victor Valley Community College (VVC) in 2017 with an A.A. in Computer Integrated Design & Graphics and an A.S. in Liberal Arts/Arts and Humanities. I was one of the first Deaf students to earn an A.A. degree at that college. After participating in an art show where I displayed my art/graphic design works on campus, I realized I could unlock more potential and share it. This inspired me to start an in-house graphic design service in 2015, which helped me gain experience, improve my skills, and expand my knowledge. I have worked with both hearing and deaf clients, from small businesses to large companies, offering creative solutions tailored to meet their needs and bringing their ideas to life. I was featured in local newspapers to highlight my achievements at VVC as a Deaf and Disabled student, raising awareness about Deaf/HoH individuals’ potential for success in school and career. Living in both the Deaf and hearing worlds gives me multiple perspectives and challenges, helping me better understand how to overcome obstacles in life, school, and my career.

I earned a B.F.A degree in Graphic Design with a Marketing Concentration in May 2024. I was nominated for an Achievement and Recognition award for my high academic performance. I worked as a student assistant graphic designer at the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU), collaborating with various department heads, faculty, staff, and students on the campus. I completed 20 promotional event projects and delivered each to them. I was the first deaf student to work within the SMSU’s Marketing department and the first deaf student hired by SMSU overall. I also won the Student Assistant of the Year award from SMSU and Recreation and Wellness. This award resolved my self-doubts about my disabilities, future potential, and capabilities in the graphic design career because being disabled and deaf does not define what you can’t do. It all comes from your mindset and the dreams you pursue. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the position I held at CSUSB.

I currently run a freelance graphic design business on a seasonal basis. My expertise spans a wide range of design services, including logo design, print materials, promotional items, posters, brochures, invitation cards, flyers, educational design materials, business cards, branding, animations, social media designs, senior year advertisements, digital illustrations, UX/UI design, packaging design, and much more. I occasionally do photography and videography. I’ve also collaborated with Latina Deaf/HoH content creators, such as @ThatDeafamly and @deaffamilyrivera, on design commissions, which have ranged from stickers to T-shirts. This opportunity has gained me recognition and connections within the Deaf and Hearing communities, and I hope to share my work with both communities. I am excited to grow my freelance business and work with potential clients and brands.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I entered middle school, I believed I could become a detective when I got older. No one in my family is a detective or a police officer. I was inspired by a TV show, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” I loved uncovering the truth, finding the puzzles, and solving criminal cases. I enjoyed problem-solving. After researching what it takes to become a detective, I realized my disabilities might hold me back in that field. I felt profound disappointment and lost confidence in my ability to succeed. When I discovered graphic design in high school, I decided to change my dream to become a graphic designer. As a designer, I do believe problem-solving is important in design-related projects. An example of problem-solving in branding involves understanding why branding isn’t effectively attracting customers and pinpointing the underlying issues.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I remembered sharing my frustrations about finding a career with my professors and supervisors when I was at the university. I often faced rejection for graphic design positions outside of campus as I approached graduation because of my disabilities. They encouraged me not to give up and to work as hard as I can. I should showcase my works, abilities, and demonstrate that I can do anything, just like anyone else. I always find a way to communicate with someone who doesn’t know ASL. There are various ways to communicate with me. Hearing loss is my only limitation, but my vision, intellect, mobility, and abilities continue to shine brightly. These principles guide my graphic design work.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that I should stay consistent in the face of my obstacles and not be afraid all the time. They also remind me that life keeps going on, and it is okay to make mistakes. Lessons are always learned from the mistakes we make, whether in school, life, or work. I could use those lessons in the future to do better. I should pursue the goals and dreams that I have been chasing since high school. Their messages really matter to me because they show they believe in me.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell stories about me as someone who consistently shows bravery and resilience in life, school, and career, regardless of disabilities. I come from an immigrant family that faced hardships while growing up. I grew up in both the Deaf and Hearing worlds, which are part of my life and identity. I am someone who is willing to advocate for myself to get accommodations and accessibility to meet my needs. I will do the same for others who can’t stand up for themselves for the same reasons. I am someone who never gives up on challenges and overcomes obstacles to reach my goals. I am someone who doesn’t take negative thoughts from the people who try to put me down because it is not their decision to make. It is my story, my life, and my journey to achieve the most tremendous success I can. This is a story I truly hope people can find inspiring.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anabchavez.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zevannadesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anabchavez/

Image Credits
All the images are credited to me. I added credit information to my personal/client project images, which I attached to this.