Meet Laleh Behzadian | Graphic Designer

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

Hi Laleh, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I have ADHD, so one thing I struggle a lot with is perfectionism. I always want to be the best right away – even if I just started something for the first time. When I first started my design business, I was really hard on myself. I wanted to have a whole roster of clients within my first week (which, obviously, in hindsight was not the most achievable goal for a new grad). I wouldn’t let myself take a break; whether it was to eat or sleep, I was always on the go. I just wanted to find my first client, my second, my 20th – it was always about the next step and how to get there fast.

But obviously, you burn out really quick if you’re not taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. And I definitely don’t do my best work if I’m tired out – I don’t think anyone really does! I realized that, by denying myself breaks, I was losing my motivation to work. The ‘breaks’ I was so scared would ruin my progress were actually necessary for my long-term success.

My work life now is definitely more balanced. I’m 100% still a victim of that perfectionist mentality, but I’ve learned you have to take things in baby steps, and give yourself grace to rest. What defines balance is different for everyone, but how balance looks and works for you is all that matters.

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.
Though I’ve finally found my footing in the marketing and design worlds, the road to get here was definitely a bumpy one.

My career actually began in university while I was studying Psychology. I had initially planned on becoming a therapist for teens with eating disorders, but after a while I realized a path in healthcare just wasn’t for me. Something was missing. All my life I was a creative person, and I started to realize around my third year of university that creativity is what I needed in my career. My junior year was a reflective one, and I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out what creative field I’d want to go into.

Around the same time, I owned and managed an Instagram page devoted to raising awareness of EDs and comorbid mental illnesses.

Something clicked when I was making a really pretty graphic on ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). I realized, hey – I LOVE making pretty graphics! I loved the way the shapes worked together; how the type design gave life to the graphic; how the colour palette could change the tone of the whole piece. As much as I liked the content, it was the way it was put together that intrigued me the most. I realized the best part of every school project I’ve had was the design.

Figuring it out was a relief, and it took a lot of trust in myself to make the transition. I knew it would seem unconventional to those around me, but I was certain it was something I could excel at. While I finished up my Psych degree, I spent a lot of my personal time reading up on design history, typography, and colour theory, while also getting acquainted with Adobe Creative Suite.

I began freelancing shortly after graduating with my degree. Being new in my field, I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. I felt everyone was better or more accomplished than I was. Every time I made a mistake, I was worried it meant I wasn’t meant for this career. To get over it, I had to learn how to forgive myself, and how to view mistakes as learning opportunities instead of failures.

What makes me the most proud of my career journey is honestly the personal growth that’s come with it. I’m currently working in the field I love because I didn’t let a few bumps get me down, and I’m very grateful that I’ve learned to embrace mistakes instead of succumb to them. Letting go of my perfectionism has definitely helped me a lot.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re coming to Toronto, you need to get brunch at Maha’s! It’s a family-owned Egyptian brunch restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide and it is insanely good. I would recommend getting the Cairo Classic with a Honey-Cardamom Latte!

Nightlife in Toronto is great, and it’s hard to choose just one place that’s a must. I would say check out King Street for a more rowdy scene (Pizza Wine Disco, Belfast Love, Paris Texas) or go to Ossington Avenue for a bit more laid-back fun. I recently checked out Bar Bowie and loved it!

The best thing to do in Toronto though is to simply have a picnic. I feel like everyone here loves getting food to-go and sitting outside with friends – and it’s even better with the views we have. I would recommend getting a blanket, packing a little charcuterie and heading to Riverdale Park to watch the sunset with friends!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom really supported me when I switched careers. She motivated me when I was feeling low, and kept encouraging me to follow this path. She deserve a lot of credit for keeping my spirits high so I’d be where I am today!

Website: https://lalehbehzadian.squarespace.com

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