Design, Mental Health, and the Challenge of Expression

I just started writing, so I’m new to the game of copywriting. But advertising—at its core—is about taking risks. It’s about putting ideas into the world, knowing they’ll either be embraced or ignored. Will society learn and follow, or will it reject and decline? That’s the challenge of creativity, and it’s one I’ve faced not just in my work, but in my life.

I’ve been a designer since 2016, and design has been my constant—a way to communicate when words fail, a structure when life feels chaotic. But behind the work is a deeper story: I have schizophrenia. It’s a serious mental health condition that impacts how I perceive the world, yet it has also shaped my approach to creativity in unexpected ways.

Design is about solving problems, finding clarity in complexity. In many ways, that mirrors my personal journey. Schizophrenia can be isolating, overwhelming, and unpredictable, but design gives me focus. It’s a process where I take scattered ideas and bring them into alignment—turning something abstract into something real, tangible, and impactful.

The world of branding and advertising is built on perception. We shape the way people see and interact with businesses, just as society shapes how it perceives people like me. There’s a stigma around schizophrenia, but like with design, perception can change. That’s why I keep creating. If my work can make a business stand out, maybe my voice can help shift perspectives on mental health, too.

I’m still figuring out this whole writing thing, but I know this much: putting ideas into the world is an act of courage. Whether it’s a design, a brand, or a personal truth, we can’t control how people respond. We can only create, share, and see who’s willing to listen.