I always get the same question: Is it possible to make a living out of graphic design in Menorca? I guess writting this post proves that it is possible. It’s hard but possible.

First things first, Menorca is a small island placed in the middle of the Mediterrarean sea, east of Spain and with an economy mostly based on tourism, shoe industry, and some other smaller activities. The environment is pretty convenient if you appreciate nature, life quality and relaxing.

I was born and raised in this island, I went to study and work for six years in Barcelona and for 4 months in New York City. I really liked living in those cities but I always felt it was temporary, I didn’t imagine myself bulding a life there. The idea of coming back to Menorca was always there. The biggest reason was very clear, it was becouse I grew up in a family where we were constantly separated one from another. My father is an opera singer and he was travelling all the time, my mother regulary traveled with him and my older brothers were already studying in Barcelona. So I felt kind of alone, plus I was always hit by comments from them like “I wish I was home”, “I miss Menorca, and I miss my friends”, etc. So I’ve always had a clear vision, I want to live the way I would wanted to live when I was a kid and I want to build a family the way I dreamed back then.

So after living in Barcelona and New York City it was time to get back home. I had the luck of getting a job as a designer in a local agency where I spent three years. That was also temporary, I didn’t like it very much but there wasn’t a chance to find another design related job around. So what I did was starting to build a career as a freelance. How? Networkin, networking, networking. I started moving my work around, contacting agencies and designer from around the world. I really didn’t have a clue of how the hell I would get project from outside Menorca but that was my goal so I went for it.

You know where disabled people develope their other senses in a way regular people can’t. I do not pretend to offend anybody with this comment but in some way this is how I feel. Building a career in a place with no big agencies, no design community and even no big cultural impacts got me to improve in the “art” of reaching overseas clients, agencies, etc.

I remember my first project for the US was a logo design for a small company in Atlanta. I got payed $50 for it. Yes, $50 but I was the happiest man on earth. The project didn’t end up very well but it was a big step forward. Over these years I’ve learned and I keep learning from all my mistakes, like no trusting this emails from startups who tell you they don’t have money right now but they will have in the future and many more similar situations.

I went full time freelancing on the late 2010 and thing couldn’t be better, I’m getting more and more work, delivering identities for countries like Norway, UK, US, Sweden, Spain, Mexico, etc. Collaborating with some really cool agencies and what’s best, enjoying every single day of my life.

However things have changed, that idea I had in mind of building my life in Menorca has, in some way, evaporated. Like I said, I’m always busy, but things start to look really bad in Spain and the worst part of it is that is getting worst and worst as days pass by. So today I look at the near future not knowing where I am going to be tomorrow, but I’ve to admit that I like that fact. As I have grown up as a designer, my interest of being the best professional I can be has penetrate deep in my mind. I want to keep growing, as a person and as a designer, helping other people grow and making my existence relevant. If that involves a new life in a new place I will make it happen.

One of the best things of being part of Firstborn during my internship back in 2008 was the amount of good friends I made there. We were from many different countries, Germany, Austria, USA, South Korea, etc. We still get together almost once every year, and no money can pay that, it’s just great.

Last year, my good friend Jessica Moon (NY) flew to London and while she was hanging out with some colleagues from Firstborn she sent me this drawing she actually did on a window. I felt very happy when I recieved the image, it’s really cool when people think of you. In the other hand what started as a spontaneous joke ended up beign my profile picture. Why? It’s fresh, fun and it comes from the heart. 

Once again, Thank you Jessica.