Today we’d like to introduce you to Nira Johnson.
Hi Nira, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! My journey has been anything but linear — but it’s been full of creativity, curiosity, and color. I actually started out as a genetic counselor, drawn to the science of what makes us who we are and the human stories behind it. For over a decade, I worked in healthcare, helping patients and providers make sense of complex information. But over time, the emotional weight of the work — and some personal experiences — began to take a toll. I started to feel the quiet creep of burnout and knew I needed to reconnect with something that filled me back up instead of draining me.
That’s when I turned toward graphic design. I had always been the one creating visuals and educational materials for my teams, and I realized how much joy and balance that creative outlet brought me. Design became more than a side passion; it became a new career path. I built a business creating logos, branding, and educational graphics for medical and biotech companies — blending my science background with creativity in a way that felt meaningful and fresh.
But as technology — especially AI — began reshaping the design world, I felt another shift. I craved something more hands-on, more personal, and less digital. That’s what led me to murals — a way to take art off the screen and into real spaces. There’s something powerful about painting a wall and seeing how it transforms not just the room, but how people feel in it.
Today, I’m combining everything I’ve learned — compassion, storytelling, and creativity — to create mural art that brings joy, pride, and connection to the spaces people live and work in. It’s been a colorful evolution — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road — but I’ve come to realize that the bumps are where the growth happens. When I transitioned from genetic counseling into design, I was constantly comparing myself to others who had formal art backgrounds. That imposter syndrome crept in hard — the feeling that I was somehow “less legitimate” because I hadn’t taken the traditional path.
Then came the rise of AI. Suddenly, design work started to feel faster, more automated, and a little less human. Clients began expecting instant results, and I found myself spending more time feeding algorithms than feeding creativity. It was efficient, sure, but it also felt like something essential was missing — that spark, that personal connection, that messy, imperfect magic of making something by hand.
Those moments of doubt and disconnection are actually what pushed me to pivot again. Murals became my way to reclaim creativity — to step away from screens, trust my hands, and reconnect with the kind of art that can’t be replicated by a prompt. And in a way, it feels like I’ve come full circle. Even as a little girl, I dreamed about doing something creative with my hands for a living — and now, here I am, brush in hand, making it all happen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint murals that make people feel something — joy, calm, pride, wonder, whatever speaks to their space. Every wall has a story, and my favorite part is helping people see theirs come to life. Some of my murals are bold and colorful, others are soft and simple, but all of them are personal. My goal is for someone to walk into the room, smile, and think, “This just feels right.”
I think what makes my work a little different is my background. I spent over a decade as a genetic counselor before diving into design and now mural work, so I naturally approach things through connection and listening first. I love hearing people’s stories and figuring out how to turn feelings, memories, and ideas into something visual.
I’m most proud of the moments when I see how much it means to someone — when a kid lights up seeing their new room, or a business owner stands back and says, “Wow, that’s ours.” That’s the best part for me. It’s not just paint on a wall — it’s something they get to live with, something that makes their space feel alive.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is pretty simple — I want to make people happy, love what I do, and show my kids that change can be a good thing. Seeing a client light up when they see their finished mural never gets old. It reminds me why I do this — because art has this incredible power to make people feel something, to make a space truly theirs.
I also care deeply about loving my work. I’ve had careers that were meaningful but heavy, and I’ve learned that joy matters just as much as purpose. Painting lets me show up as my whole self — creative, curious, and calm (well, mostly calm when the paint behaves).
And honestly, I want my kids to see that life isn’t always a straight line. You can start in one place, hit some bumps, and still find your way to something you love. Change doesn’t have to be scary — sometimes it’s where the best parts of life begin.
Pricing:
- It truly varies based on the mural (size, color variations, detail, etc.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DesignsbyNKJ.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designs_by_nkj/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nira-johnson/
