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Tonight was my last graphics meeting for Byte. For those of you that don’t know, I will not be returning to Byte after this semester. This choice makes me incredibly sad, but overall it is the best choice for my future.
I’d like to take time to talk about what Byte means to me.
I’d like to take time to talk about what Byte means to me.
I found Byte during a very confusing and stressful time in my life. My entire plan for college had basically crumbled and I was now in a new place with no major and no clue what I even wanted to do.
I joined Byte just to give me something fun to do while I figured it out
I joined Byte just to give me something fun to do while I figured it out
Thanks to amazing teachings from @ttshink and @Legend_Of_Marth I was able to learn a ton about graphic design in a super short time. I ended up falling in love with what I was learning doing graphics for Byte and decided to make it my major, and I am so so glad I did.
I won’t get into it too much, but things before college weren’t great. I was in a place mentally where I wasn’t really sure I’d ever find my place or find something I could enjoy again. Even being able to enjoy making graphics was so important to me and my mental health
Byte also helped my mental health by helping my find my people. I have met some of the best people who have ever come into my life through Byte and through the UML. I would be lost without the amazing friends I’ve made through this organization.
Byte also taught me many other things besides design. Like first off, I can write?? If you told me a few years ago I would be writing journalistic stories I would have laughed in your face, because that’s not at all what I thought I would be doing.
Thanks to @BaylieClevenger @grillsizzlebeef and @jcrogers15 I also figured out I’m kinda good at writing too. I have a lot to improve upon sure, but I would have never been able to get where I am today without what I’ve learned at Byte.
I also learned I love podcasts. I would have never had the confidence to attempt hosting a podcast if it weren’t for @zoeykerrigan and I’m so glad I had that experience. Our podcast was a massive project for us. Zoey and I practically built it from the ground up.
And I learned so much creating that podcast. Graphics, podcasting, writing, researching. But most importantly I learned that I can quite literally do anything I set my mind too. And I also learned that even silly ideas can become amazing with a little bit of extra work.
My favorite thing I learned in Byte though, has to be realizing truly who I am and what I am capable of.
I became the associate creative director and I was terrified. But it turned out I was actually really good at it. It became one of my favorite things to do.
I became the associate creative director and I was terrified. But it turned out I was actually really good at it. It became one of my favorite things to do.
I learned that I am creative, talented, and especially determined. I learned to trust my gut on my ideas. I learned that I am confident and capable and I deserve to be listened to and respected. And I am taking these lessons with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life.
There are plenty of people I could thank for everything I’ve learned and where I’ve gotten, but I don’t want to make this thread 500 tweets long so I will just be doing a couple that I feel taught me incredibly important lessons.
@ttshink thank you for teaching me basically everything I know. Design wise I wouldn’t be anywhere near the level I’m at without you. But also thank you for being an amazing and supportive friend. You always believed in me and it really helped me learn to believe in myself.
@Legend_Of_Marth thank you for everything you taught me about design. You are one of the most talented designers I’ve ever met and it’s such an honor to have learned from you. I’m also thankful for your friendship. You brought so much joy into my freshman year.
@emily_reuben thank you for all the amazing things you did for Byte. You always made me feel incredibly welcomed and appreciated my freshman year, which was a feeling I really needed at the time. You’re one of the most hard-working people I’ve ever met.
@BaylieClevenger thank you for always believing in me. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without your encouragement and help. You helped me fall in love with writing and you always help me improve my skills with each piece I wrote.
@grillsizzlebeef thank you for being such a great leader and writer. You’ve always been incredibly encouraging of my work. The Billie review is my favorite thing I’ve ever written, and it wouldn’t be nearly as good without all your help and guidance. You’re also a ray of joy.
Now this thread has gotten far too long so I’m going to end it here.
But TLDR; I’m incredibly heartbroken to be done with my time at Byte, but I’m so grateful for the things it has brought me. I love this organization and everyone in it with my whole heart.
But TLDR; I’m incredibly heartbroken to be done with my time at Byte, but I’m so grateful for the things it has brought me. I love this organization and everyone in it with my whole heart.
And if you’re someone who has ever helped me with anything even if I didn’t tweet at you, thank you. I can’t personally thank everyone or I would be here all day typing, but everyone I’ve interacted with has taught me something and I’m so glad I’ve learned what I have.
