Meet Bianca Ayala | Graphic Designer & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bianca Ayala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been into DIY and crafting for as long as I can remember. It’s always been something that has been an outlet for me and it brings me so much joy. When I wasn’t coloring or drawing, I was sewing little outfits for my Barbies and Bratz dolls. In high school, I took art classes and loved going to concerts. That’s when I started messing around with Photoshop, making fun edits of my favorite artists just to show my support. The more I played with graphics and photo editing, the more I fell in love with the creative process.

Before going full-time as a freelance graphic designer, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from California State University, Sacramento. After graduating, I launched a small business focused on custom cups, stickers, and other handmade goodies. But after a few years, I realized I wanted to grow more as a designer and that meant moving away from physical products.

In 2023, I took the leap and started focusing only on digital design. It’s been a continuous journey, but also a rewarding one. Now I get to work with all kinds of amazing small business owners and brands I probably wouldn’t have connected with otherwise. Though I’ve been designing for over 13+ years now, I’m still learning, evolving, and figuring out what truly works for me. I chose to pursue this creative path because it allows me to bring happiness to others through my designs and that’s what keeps me inspired!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is that I fill a gap in the small business space, creating designs that are not only trendy and unique but also have a personal touch. I offer custom apparel and cup designs, social media content and graphics that many others might not, and I’m always open to creative requests. I like to think I’m a versatile and adaptable designer. I never wanted to limit myself to just one niche because I believe creativity should be flexible, just like the clients I work with.

Getting to where I am now definitely wasn’t easy. It took a lot of trial and error to find my style and figure out what I truly enjoy creating without it ever feeling like just “work.” Design has always been fun for me. I love that I get to make all kinds of things without boundaries.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that no client or project is the same. Everyone brings their own vibe, which keeps things fresh and exciting. I’ve been lucky to form genuine connections through social media, and I truly believe it gave me the freedom to create just because I love it.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand, it’s to never let fear stop you from doing what you love. I went to college thinking I’d become a crime scene investigator or psychologist meanwhile, my love for design was always in the background. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and put my all into it, even submitting my design portfolio at the very last minute. That moment taught me that even a last-minute decision can change your life. It’s never too late to go after what you truly want.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Spending time with my best friend is always a good time. We’re both graphic designers and tend to be on the quieter side, but when we’re together, we can talk about anything. One of our favorite things to do is find a cute café, grab some coffee, and just catch up. When we’re in the mood for a little adventure, we’ll hit up our favorite shops or go thrifting. There’s something so fun about showing each other the unique pieces we find and being able to take them home to decorate our homes or even style ourselves. It’s like a treasure hunt and we always have such a good time doing those things. If it’s not any of those, we love to be creative. We either paint, craft, or play games because we love it. We never run out of ideas or things to do.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of the biggest inspirations behind my creativity has always been music. While I’ve loved all forms of art growing up, it was music that truly pushed me to explore and experiment with different aspects of design. From creating fan posters and artwork for my favorite artists like Justin Bieber and Kalin White, to designing apparel, product marketing campaigns, branding packages, and social media templates.

If it weren’t for the passion I found in music and the community built within it, I don’t think I would’ve fully tapped into everything design has to offer. The support I’ve received over the years has kept me going, encouraging me to try new things and grow as a creative. It’s crazy to think that music became the foundation of my entire design journey, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CheekyBia

Instagram: @cheekybia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancagraphics/