“In the order of nature we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. But the benefit we receive must be rendered again, line for line, deed for deed, cent for cent, to somebody.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

To tell the truth, before deciding to write this entry, I had no idea that Ralph Waldo Emerson (for whom a family member is named, actually) had put into words the concept of ‘paying it forward’.

Emerson has pretty much put it into plain old English: whatever good deed or favour someone has done for you, you can’t give it back to the person who gave them to you – so pass it on to someone else who was previously without them. A good example is myself.

I wasn’t always a graphic designer/web designer and developer. My journey started out as a youngster with a penchant for art and technology who, as time passed, wondered if there was some way to combine the two loves.

I’ve always been wild about art – colours, vibrant imagery, being able to communicate without words – and then sometime in 11^th grade it exploded! I was introduced to visual communication, that was the beginning of my journey into graphic design.

Creating flyers, invitations, posters and promotional material in my art class seemed much less like assignments and more like fun exercises designed to strengthen my creative muscles. During this time, I knew nothing much of creative inertia; there was always something completely new to discover and to learn.

As time wore on, and high school faded into the distance, I heard about something called ‘Photoshop’ (thanks Scotty!). I was fascinated and couldn’t get enough of this software. Mind you, I couldn’t yet use it – but I read as much as I could on the Internet and in books.

There were two guys I knew, David and André, who belonged to, what I found out, was an elite inner circle in the tech community; these were graphic designers. They commanded both computer software and creative design to come up with mind-boggling creations. I knew immediately after looking at both David and André’s work that that was what I wanted to do.

I think this was somewhere around 2003, anyway, day in and day out I pestered André and David until they took me under their wing as a rather over-enthusiastic student. Both fellows worked full-time for one of Jamaica’s best-known graphic and web design agencies – I was simultaneously thrilled and humbled to be in their presence.

Every bit of knowledge and know-how these two dished out, I soaked in like a dehydrated sponge, eagerly anticipating the next bit. They became my mentors, and my critics. Between the two of them, I was introduced to the occasionally savage way in which criticism can be delivered to a designer – and taught, somewhat – how to deal with it and make it work for me.

It’s been seven years since then and with André, David and Scotty’s help, criticism and guidance, I’ve become a pretty well-rounded designer (web and graphic) if I do say so myself. One thing I will always be grateful to these three men for is for introducing me to my career.

Even now, I’m asked where I was trained – my work is on par with professionally-educated designers’ – and I always chuckle and say I never went to school for it. I’m a self-taught designer – but it wouldn’t ever have been possible without these three.

It’s impossible for me to re-pay these guys the way they’ve paid me – so I now do whatever I can, whenever I can, to pay it forward.

Whenever I encounter a newbie to web design/development or graphic design, I’ll always try to find the time to assist them – whether it’s to point them in the right direction, or to sit with them and systematically show them the anatomy of things.

Quite recently, I’ve been helping fellow #Jamaicanblogger Mamachel with her new and improved blog layout. I think she was initially surprised to be on the receiving end of so much help – by a relative stranger. It’s funny, back in the day helping a stranger out with anything was acceptable and normal – now, it’s viewed as weird. I’m thoroughly enjoying helping out Mamachel with her project – because I know I’m paying it forward, and paying tribute to those who have come before me. Hopefully, my actions will also spur her to pay it forward when the time comes around!

Paying it forward feels damn good – and I wonder why more designers and developers don’t do it! I was speaking to another friend recently about the fact that in our field, selfishness tends to be the name of the game. A graphic or web designer finds a fantastic resource for low-budget/high-quality stock photography and out of sheer spite refuses to share it with another person in their field… Similarly, a new technique for effective workflow may be developed and, again, instead of sharing the wealth of information, it’s hoarded and kept under lock and key.

Once upon a time, that would make for a daunting outlook to a designer. However, with a little persistence and resourcefulness, the information can be gleaned from other sources on the Internet. There’s no need to be selfish with it; it’s already out there.

It’s now present-day and I’m a proud co-owner of a burgeoning multimedia design company, one-third of a ridiculously talented triumvirate – and, the same thirst for knowledge I had in the beginning is very much still there. I feel incredibly indebted to those who took the time to show me the way for allowing me to make a living doing what I love and loving what I do! And because of this, I will keep paying it forward.

Have you been the recipient or beneficiary of something positive? Are you paying it forward?