We had the good fortune of connecting with Destiny Griffith and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Destiny, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
While seeking to follow your dreams, there are so many questions that goes on in your mind. How do I make this into a reality? How do I get people to take me seriously? Will I be successful? All these questions are the most nerve-wracking but best part about following your dreams and sticking to them. I have found myself in the depths of lows and the most highs while following my dreams. To be frank, there isn’t a guide or anyone that can teach you how to follow your path. But, there are methods that keep that drive alive. One for me is to set an affirmation for each dream I am trying to aspire to accomplish. The biggest affirmation that I have been replaying in my head as of lately, is “Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep going”. I think it is easy and normal to be afraid to put yourself out there. Honestly, it is scary to show the world you and your craft. As a creative, my craft is the most vulnerable aspect of myself. Only because my craft comes from my passion, my heart, my soul. So, when I do share my craft to the world I get so worried about what other people think or what they will say. I think if you keep the affirmation of “Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep going” there is an ease and warmth in those words that motivate you to keep going after your dreams. That’s why this affirmation vital for me because it gives me the sense of encouragement I need to not give up.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has always been ignited from my passion. I started as a dancer at the age of 3 years old to 18 years old. That part of me still exists but when I look back, the jump start of my dancing career was always fueled with my passion and soul. I realized early on that the idea of art is not from what you are doing, it’s the intention and the passion behind what you are doing. When I danced, I always knew that I was connecting with someone in the room. That idea gave me so much happiness because if I could touch one soul, my purpose in life is fulfilled. With that being said, when I entered college I went in undeclared like most. I knew that I wanted to do something that allowed me to keep being creative but something that also helped people. I sat with my best friend, my boyfriend, trying to figure out the puzzle of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. From there, I majored in Interior Design with a concentration in Architecture. Class after class, as I culminated to the next chapter in obtaining my degree, I noticed that a lot of my professors kept putting my classmates and I in a box. “You can either become an Architect or Interior Designer” they said. This was a huge challenge for me because I felt like if I even thought about pursuing something different would I be successful? Would they shame me for wanting to explore something different? Something in me, my instinct, told me to research the different avenues I could take with my degree. So I did and found out that there were so many industries I could get into. The lesson I learned from this is to always listen to your instinct. You know what is best for you. So, at the time I decided I wanted to become a Production Designer. I did the work in using my resources to find a job within that field and landed my first gig. The experience that I have received in being a part of the big world has shown me that I can be anything I desire, as long as I put in the work. That’s one of the things I am most proud of. I have the capability to set a goal or dream and do everything it takes to get there. During the pandemic, as I worked from home, I began to see a huge uprise in entrepreneurship. I saw my friends and family create wonderful businesses and that gave me the motivation in wanting to create one too. I sat there and yet again had the same question I had a couple years ago, “what could I do that allows me to help people but also be creative?” I noticed that a lot of my friend’s and family member’s were having some challenges in creating their brand identities and understanding the value of imagery. In that exact moment, I realized that was my niche. Within 72 hours, I learned what it took to create a business and ended up creating Iridestdesigns. Iridestdesigns is an agency that specializes in brand development for startup companies. A focus of ours is to help nurture the identity of a brand/company through product photography. Our main aspect is set decoration, design and creative direction. I have so many plans for my business but the number one plan that I am very proud of is to continue to help and be a vital resource for rising entrepreneurs. Nothing gives me more joy than to hear my clients tell me and my producer “I am so happy that you are in this journey with me and my business”. I think it is important to say that I didn’t have to stick to one thing in order to be successful and be happy. So, as a Set Designer, Product Photographer, Business Woman, Creative and much more to come I would like to leave this for the next creative, the one that is reading this exact article… “As long as you have breath, you have options” – Thehoodhealer
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Depending on what season we are in, I would take my bestie to big bear, buy groceries, rent out a cabin and go snowboarding everyday. Being able to be in the mountains, around nature and experience the thrill of snowboarding has become an obsession of mine. I would also take my bestie to the Santa Monica Mountains to go hiking. Honestly, any place that is in nature is where I would take my bestie because it really is a beautiful moment to get away and stay in the present moment. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my soul tribe! There are many people you encounter in the world but nothing is like the people who are genuine and always have your back no matter what. It’s like your souls connected as soon as you came into contact with them. Thank you to my mom, my dad, my grandparents, my siblings, my boyfriend, my producer and my other family and friends who ALWAYS show up when I need them to! You guys have given me the strength, the fire, encouragement, and drive to keep reaching for the stars and to see the upmost potential of myself when I am at my low moments. I wouldn’t know what I would do without you!
Website: Iridestdesigns.com
Instagram: Iridestdesigns
Linkedin: Destiny Griffith
Image Credits
Euphoric Aromas HHC Holyscentincense Kaneh Bosm Life BTS of TBD by Summer Breeze