JourneyManDesigns: My Start Up Story is a synopsis of my career path as a graphic design artist and illustrator that spans approximately 13 years, from 2000 when I began studying graphic design, to my present day incarnation as a start-up, freelance entrepreneur. My start up story will describe the many different obstacles, disappointments, and experiences I lived through before finally deciding it was time to cease thinking of myself as a subordinate employee, and join the growing worldwide movement and struggle of the self-employed, self-sufficient, start-up entrepreneur and freelancer. I no longer comport myself, my personality, my attitude, my being to any corporate culture or company. I now and always will own myself. Anthony M. Grimaldi is JourneyManDesigns.

1. MyStartupStory
My name is Anthony M. Grimaldi of JourneyManDesigns: Graphic Design Artist &
Illustrator from New York City.
In 2000, I decided to pursue an artistic career more determinedly and
purposefully, so I attended the Katherine Gibbs School and acquired an
Associate’s Degree in Visual Communications.
After graduating in 2003, before the widespread use of internet marketing,
networking and socializing, I personally submitted my resume and portfolio
samples to almost every graphic design studio in New York City. With very little
experience, I was not hired as quickly as I had planned, so in 2005 I joined the
US Navy as a Mass Communications Specialist. In the Navy I was able to utilize
my talents for 2 years by designing posters, promotions, and advertisements
aboard the USS Saipan and designed layout, banners, text and photo corrections
for its yearbook.
After my honorable discharge in 2007, I attended The Institute for New Age
Training, acquired employment with EMCOR Services in accounts payable, and
decided the best route to working as a professional graphic designer was to
obtain web design skills and a Bachelor's degree in Web Design & Interactive
Media, upon which I attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. After
graduating in 2010, I decided I did not want to earn a living designing
websites, as it was wholly technical, extremely time consuming, and not
creatively rewarding.
In October 2009, I lost my position with EMCOR Services due to America's
difficult economic conditions and circumstances. In March 2010, I was hired by
CUNY University as the Office Manager for Prof. Charles Vorosmarty. In October
2011, I again lost my position with CUNY University due to America's difficult
economic conditions and circumstances.
Therefore, I decided instead to network, promote, and market myself as
JourneyManDesigns: Graphic Design Artist & Illustrator with the intent of
freelancing and acquiring a client base, as well as submitting my resume and
portfolio for freelance projects and assignments. The modern business world
thrives and functions on global inter-connectivity and communication through the
web more than ever, and it will only increase. This is an area I daily explore
and navigate, and in doing so have bookmarked hundreds of websites consisting of
companies, publishers, authors, and representatives, thereby building my
networking infrastructure. This is a vital and necessary building block, as this
infrastructure is the basis upon which I seek clients, jobs, and projects. I
have also uploaded my portfolio and profile to dozens of online sites, creating
a ubiquitous presence on the internet, assuring my work and profile will not go
unnoticed. Thus far my infrastructure has served me well as I have acquired two
clients to illustrate for children's books, completed nine illustrations for the
novel 'The Water Thief', completed four logo design projects, and received
interest and offers for several other opportunities.
Using nothing but persistence and perseverance has inspired me to strike out
independently as a freelancer, globally seeking individuals, companies and
opportunities to design and create.