Conversations with Neidy Perdomo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neidy Perdomo.

Hi Neidy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Let’s start with my earliest memory of feeling successful as a creative — in elementary school, one of my drawings won an art competition and was exhibited at a local bank. It must have been one of my proudest moments, seeing my work exhibited and having my parents view it. Fast forward to my Senior year in high school, after years of being in advanced art classes, and after-school art club, I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, but I did not want to be a starving artist. I decided to use my senior project assignment to explore graphic design. This allowed me to take on my first client as the project designing a barbecue sauce label for my teacher’s friend. I was also connected with a graphic design mentor who guided me through the branding and client design process. The client was pleased with his new label, and I was hooked on the process. That’s when I decided I wanted to become a graphic designer for a living. I earned my Bachelor’s in Visual Media Design from NC A&T and began my first job as a graphic designer right after graduation. I worked in an in-house marketing department at a textile company for six years. In 2019, I left my corporate job and started my own creative business — Perdomo Design Co.

Back to art in 2020, I started drawing more during the pandemic. I received a grant to fund a solo exhibition. I created 10 pieces, all digital illustrations, and had a solo exhibition on my 30th birthday. I called the series Blanco y Black, a collection of works exploring perspective and self-transformation. Creating this series of works has allowed me to host art workshops, participate in pop-up art markets to sell my work, and connect with all kinds of people through my art. I am now happy to create still, exhibit, and sell my art while also providing design services to clients who need branding, illustration, and marketing creative.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Regarding my design business, my greatest challenges have been undervaluing my work and having impostor syndrome. When I started my business, I underpriced my work to get projects. I would hesitate to charge a comfortable rate because I thought clients wouldn’t hire me. I soon found myself overwhelmed with too much work for too little money. I had to balance quality pricing and clients who saw the value. The pricing challenge went hand in hand with my impostor syndrome. I didn’t believe in myself or my work to charge what I should’ve been charging. I constantly had a little voice saying, “Who am I to charge $x?” “Who am I to be able to handle this project?” “Who am I to be running a successful business??” So overall, the largest struggle I have had is understanding the value of my work as a creative. I now understand the value of my work, am confident in the quality of work I provide, and have found a happier work/life balance. Things that helped me get to where I am today are constantly looking for learning opportunities, building a network, and consuming books and podcasts about self-development and entrepreneurship.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a freelance graphic designer, I work with small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop logos, branding, and marketing creatives. What I’m known for really depends on who you ask. If you ask the small businesses I’ve worked with, they’ll say I’m great at bringing their vision to life through logo design and branding. Suppose you ask the corporate and non-profit marketing teams I’ve worked with. In that case, they’ll say I’m a strategic designer who delivers clear and compelling visual communication through creative marketing, illustration, and infographics; a big factor in what sets me apart as a designer is starting my career in a corporate marketing department that allowed me to see design’s direct impact on business. Working with the sales and product teams allowed me to understand how to create graphics as a tool to serve the purpose of selling, educating, and building trust rather than just making things look pretty. As a designer, I am most proud of being able to use my passion to bring local entrepreneurs’ visions to life. As an artist, I am most proud of inspiring youth and making a positive impact through my art.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I don’t have a specific favorite childhood memory. Coming from Salvadorian immigrant parents, my parents worked a lot; they were new in this country, trying to provide for my brother and me. Even though they worked long hours, they exposed my brother and me to new things on the weekends. Growing up in Miami, we would go on day trips to places like Parrot Jungle and the Seaquarium. I enjoyed going to the beach or the park and rollerblading, bicycling, or fishing with my dad. As an adult, I continue to enjoy spending time outdoors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perdomodesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neidy.perdomo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neidy.perdomo.9
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neidy-perdomo-653ab268