My journey as a graphic designer hasn’t exactly been traditional. After college, I started working at a nonprofit, and before I knew it, I was the go-to design person. With no formal training beyond the two courses I took in college, I learned by doing, experimenting, problem-solving, and figuring things out along the way.

Now, ten years later, I’ve realized something: design isn’t as complicated as people think. It’s about balance, contrast, and clarity. Concepts my two-year-old seems to grasp effortlessly.

So, I figured, why not let her explain it? Turns out, she’s got it all figured out already.

Hi! I’m two.

I like colors and shapes and making messes, and grown-ups call it “design.” Ooooh! (Points at something bright.) THAT one! I LIKE IT. I don’t know why, but I DO. That’s how design works… things catch your eye!

Here’s what I know:

Ooooh, Shiny! (Contrast!)

I love my red water bottle because it’s red. It looks different from my blue plate. If everything was the same color, it’d be borrrring. But when something stands out, I notice it right away. That’s contrast!

Big vs. Small (Balance!)

I like stacking blocks. And stacking cups. And stacking everything. But if I put too many on one side… BOOM! They fall. If I spread them out, they stay up. That’s called balance.

Mom says balance is important in pictures and words, too. But I think it’s more fun when everything is in a giant pile. Like my stuffed animals. Or my lunch.

Look at MEEE! (Hierarchy!)

When I yell, “MOMMY!” she looks at me. That’s because I’m LOUD. In design, big words and bright pictures yell LOOK HERE FIRST!

But also, if I whisper and stare at Mommy, she looks at me too. So maybe design is also about knowing when to be loud and when to just… creepily stare at people until they notice you.

Same Same! (Repetition!)

I like watching the same cartoon again and again and again. (BABY SHARK, DOO DOO DOO—oh, you thought we were done? We’re never done.) Seeing the same thing over and over makes it familiar and fun. That’s how design works, too! Repeating colors, shapes, and fonts makes everything feel connected.

So Much Space! (White Space!)

Sometimes, my mom gives me a marker. And, of course, I SCRIBBLE EVERYWHERE—on my hands, the wall, my shirt, my toes… even my snack!

But when I color in my book, some parts stay empty. Grown-ups call it white space. They leave space around things so they don’t look too crowded.

But why do they call it white space if it’s not always white? What if it’s blue? Or pink? Or green with dinosaurs?? I think we should call it not-color space. Or breathing room space. Or just 

space.

And that, my friends, is Design 101. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some blocks to stack. And knock over. And stack again.

Oh, and also, I want a cookie. Or maybe something icy cold… like ice cream!