37 Comments
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(Alexandra) Apple's avatar

i love this! so timely cuz i just published a piece about how i started making zines because i needed an outlet for my imperfect but meaningful ideas!! i love that the zine was a turning point for you and how you recognize it's the approach that matters. being confident enough to stand out <3

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

The only way to get attention in this city - stand out. Don’t do what they taught you to do

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anupa otiv's avatar

This is so inspiring!! This is super vague but I recently had to choose between a path I thought I should take and a path I wanted to take, and I thankfully took the path I wanted. Still don’t know how it’s going to be pay off but I have faith it already is!!! ❤️

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Keep the faith! You can always make a new path

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Talía Cu's avatar

I love that you had the calling to be a graphic designer, yet the modern day tools that you “require to be” one, didn’t fit with you. And you didn’t give up. So amazing and I need to see the full fanzine now haha so curious!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Yeah it's so brutal when you're like not the best at tech but you have a vision and eye! Dream killers! Love the work you do, too. I saw your Colombian brand on White Lotus roundup recently on Notes!

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Lia Jane's avatar

I’ve been seeing more and more about zines! This is a sign!!! Thank you for sharing 🌻🌻🌻

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priscilla's avatar

Love thiss. I too have always gotten hired based off of my passion projects, no one ever hired me off of my ‘professional portfolio’

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

It’s all about passion. Step 1. ❤️‍🔥

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SHRINE's avatar

I was in Clinton hill making zines and living on a mattress in a living room w Pratt students in 2007, this took me back 🩷 always loved Todd, he stood out to me as an inspiration. Thanks for sharing ☁️

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Relatable comment. I had a room with no windows in Cobble Hill in 2006 when I started at Todd’s studio

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SHRINE's avatar

Now I live in the woods and need a chiropractic pillow and a blackout eye mask to sleep LOL... and our rent is about 10x as much. Glad I was there and miss it still

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Alex thee Black Femme ⚢'s avatar

This is incredibly raw and inspirational. I’ve been seeking out the origin stories of designers, brands and artists that I admire, so I can trace their steps and make sure I’m on the right path. I’m both frightened and empowered that the beginning seems to be so chaotic for everyone. I’m 22, insecure but I have bag dreams. I’m gonna keep betting on myself and see where I land. Thank you for sharing 🩷

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Thanks for writing this comment Alex! Keep at your dreams! You have so much ahead of you ❤️‍🔥

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Alexandra Harris's avatar

being a creative can be so chaotic sometimes and reading pieces like these help give me those smidges of clarity I so desperately need ✭

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

it's extremely rough - mostly i found, we're roughing ourselves up to much! be kind to your work, your self.

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Alex McGinness's avatar

This is fantastic advice! I’ve been in a slump, I’m going to create this weekend. Can’t wait. 🥳

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Yasss share what you cook up!

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Taylor St. John's avatar

i needed to hear this, thank you

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Thank you for reading Taylor ❤️‍🔥

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Katrina Lainsbury's avatar

I loved this piece!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Thanks Katrina!

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Rhi Myfanwy Kirkland's avatar

I would like to run away to a remote island and never have to be exploited by capitalism again. How do I achieve that career goal?

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Well same. I do this with fiction books

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J Callender Photography's avatar

So good!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Thanks J!

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Rina G. Patel's avatar

Love this

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fuckgirl's avatar

There is no such thing as a dream job in this industry

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Crushing yes

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Ally | Open Relationship Coach's avatar

If you’re like one of those self help apps, does that make you a Self Kelp App?

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