Designing with Intention: Ashley Fletcher on Healing, Hustle & Black Joy in Creativity

🎧 New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:/ @artschoolgradpodcastAshley Fletcher is a Washington D.C.–based graphic designer, illustrator, and founder of Digitrillnana—a culture-forward art shop celebrating Black joy through prints, cards, and storytelling. In this empowering episode, Ashley opens up about her journey from yearbook spreads to launching her own brand and working full-time at Brookfield Properties. A breast cancer survivor, MICA grad, and passionate creative, Ashley shares how intention, identity, and alignment fuel her work.We explore her postgrad struggles, how she balances freelance with a 9-to-5, and why rest is part of the process. If you’ve ever questioned your path, this episode will remind you that pivots are part of the plan—and creativity can be both healing and revolutionary.🎯 This episode is for you if:✔️ You're navigating burnout, balance, or creative redirection✔️ You're balancing freelance life with a full-time job✔️ You want to infuse cultural storytelling into your design work✔️ You're building your own product line or creative shop✔️ You believe rest, identity, and joy are part of the design process📌 In This Episode:Intro — Who is Ashley Fletcher?Growing up in a creative householdHow yearbook class led to a design careerSwitching from business to graphic designPostgrad depression + freelance strugglesThe pivot to MICA and grad school revelationsBuilding a creative process rooted in intentionWorking full-time at Brookfield PropertiesStarting Digitrrillnana and her first art printBeing a breast cancer survivor + protecting creative energyCreative wellness, therapy, and taking breaksMentorship, Black design orgs, and AIGA DCWhat she's manifesting nowFinal advice for emerging creatives📎 Connect with Ashley Fletcher:Portfolio: https://ashley-fletcher.comShop: https://digitrillnana.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitrillnana/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitrillnana 🎨 More Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast📚 Resources Mentioned:– MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art)– AIGA DC– Black Designers Ignite– Monday.com (project workflow tool)– Digitrrillnana product line#AshleyFletcher #Digitrrillnana #BlackDesigners #GraphicDesignPodcast #CreativeJourney #WomenInDesign #ArtSchoolGradPodcast #DesignWithPurpose #CreativeWellness #BreastCancerSurvivor #DesignStorytelling #BlackCreatives #CreativeEntrepreneur #FreelanceDesign #CulturalDesign #DesignHealing