Conversations with Naomi Golden

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Golden.

Hi Naomi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Creativity has always been a part of my life, influencing who I am and what I do. The world is my opus; I express myself through various art forms. My creativity pours into each step of the way and every decision I make. Although opportunities for digital entertainment abounded in my childhood, they never held an attraction for me.

I spent my time wandering the paths of my imagination and expressing my creativity with my hands. Whether lost in daydreams beneath the branches of a willow tree or captivated by the dance of clouds, my mind spun whimsical tales—perhaps a fairy-like girl perched on a teapot or swinging from a flower––partnered with an irresistible desire to capture these worlds and scenes onto my canvas.

During high school, my parents sent me to art classes and bought me my first set of high-quality brushes and paints. During this season, I began to flourish in my artistic endeavors with oils, acrylics, and colored pencils. I knew I wanted to be a professional artist someday. There are so many creative fields to consider, but at this point, I realized I only enjoyed the hands-on fine art mediums.

A pivotal moment in my future career path arrived when I entered a poster contest for a high-end seafood restaurant in Seattle, WA, called Ivar’s. Every year, Ivar’s would put on a stunning fireworks show over Puget Sound. I decided to enter their contest and painted the Seattle skyline, sea, and a huge firework display, with Ivar’s sign and building at the center of the piece.

I worked on it all day and all night. I’ll never forget the day they called me and said I had won! Seeing my art on a poster advertising this event unleashed a powerful blend of creativity and purpose inside of me – inspiring my journey of pursuing a career in graphic design.

My purpose as a graphic designer and illustrator is found in my love for people and my desire to serve others. I have woven my passion for art with this purpose, partnering with nonprofits like World Vision International, World Vision US, and Children of the Nations, as well as championing small businesses that give back to their communities.

I genuinely believe in the transformative power of art; my goal is to bring light and joy through my work, inspiring others with its whimsical and cheerful qualities.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My greatest challenge was adapting to the digital realm. The idea of creating on a computer was daunting at first. Before working on my graphic design degree, I had only used a computer for school—writing papers, etc. The digital world felt alien and stressful.

During my first several months of college, I wrestled with the digital medium, often feeling uncomfortable and overwhelmed. The turning point came when I began blending traditional methods with digital tools. Starting design projects with graphite pencils, colored pencils, paints, or even creating tactile brainstorming sessions for myself with big paper and colored pens ignited my creativity. Scanning these sketches and processes into my digital software gave me a foundation to build on and helped guide my digital work.

I persisted in working in the digital world, and the tools that once felt foreign gradually became second nature. Launching my business four years ago marked a significant shift. The stress I once associated with digital creation faded, and the software became an extension of my creativity.

Illustrating a children’s book for a client this past year was a wonderful milestone in my journey and a dream come true. I taught myself to digitally paint on my new iPad in Adobe Fresco and Procreate, and this has opened new doors for my career. Being able to adjust and revise illustrations fluidly and efficiently for children’s book illustrations is a game changer, and I am excited to open this new service to my clients.

Despite any hurdles that may arise, my creative passion keeps me going, transforming obstacles into stepping stones.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My artistic endeavors can be divided into two distinct areas: whimsical fine art illustration/graphic design and illustration as a service through my business.

My fine art illustrations are whimsical, inspiring light and joy; my artistic side is very personal and, regardless of the medium – flows freely from my heart.

From a business perspective, I am driven by my passion to serve and collaborate with organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. I have had the privilege of partnering with various nonprofits and small businesses, aiding them with campaign branding, marketing materials, logos and brand guides, digital assets, and more.

A few notable collaborations I have been honored to support include the design of a campaign-style guide and marketing materials for World Vision International’s End Child Marriage Campaign. Through this campaign, World Vision raised money to help girls in these situations and educated communities on this topic to help prevent future incidents.

Another exciting opportunity was creating a logo, full brand guide, and packaging for a small local business crafting handmade soaps and skincare products. A portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to supporting women and girls in the community who have experienced foster care, homelessness, abuse, and the jail system.

A hallmark of my work is my commitment to projects with a purpose that influences change. I am particularly drawn to initiatives that positively impact communities, supporting those in need to rise above their circumstances and flourish.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on both my personal life and my business. It was a difficult time for a lot of people, with many facing isolation and job loss. I found myself laid off from my job when my role as the sole graphic designer on the team was deemed non-essential, and any needs would be filled by contractors.

Being put in this position made me think about what I wanted to do with my life and reflect on my career and life goals. I realized it was an opportunity to start my own business, something I had been thinking about for a while. While very challenging, the pandemic was also a catalyst for my personal and professional growth.

Important lessons:

• I learned to adapt to unexpected changes and navigate difficult circumstances with resilience.
• Being laid off made me lean more into my faith and trust in God and His plan for my life, motivating me to be bold in paving a new career path.
• I discovered that challenging times could also present new opportunities. If I had not been laid off, I would have delayed pursuing my dream of starting my own business.

Overall, the pandemic taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and seizing opportunities in the face of adversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naomigoldencreative.com
• Instagram: @naomigoldencreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomigoldencreative?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-golden-57b325a1?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app