Melissa Gutierrez, Senior Designer at Adobe
The thought of making a career change may seem daunting to some, but for Melissa Gutierrez, it was absolutely necessary. The Brooklyn-based, Miami native initially had dreams of working as a photo editor; but when Gutierrez reached her goal and didn’t feel fulfilled, she made the decision to pursue her master’s degree and freelance before landing a coveted designer gig at Adobe.
“For a while, I was frustrated because not liking my job was not part of my plan,” says Gutierrez, who created her @westofchester Instagram account as a way to reconnect with her roots and love of drawing. “But because of that, I ended up discovering design, becoming a designer, and loving my job.”
Keep reading to meet this mujer de magia — and be sure to check out her artwork, available as prints here!
Grace Gavilanes: Tell us about your path to being a Senior Designer at Adobe! What advice would you give to those looking to follow in your footsteps?
Melissa Gutierrez: I would say give yourself time and understand that the right things won’t come immediately! In high school and in college, I thought I was going to be a photographer/photo editor. After graduating from college, and completing several photo internship roles at magazines, I ended up becoming a photo editor and hating it. After that realization, I decided to move back to Miami and reset. I ended up creating a bunch of photo illustrations that summer and ended up connecting with an editor at Univision. I pitched myself for a freelance project and ended up getting it! This freelance project was instrumental in my career journey because, through these photo illustrations, I stumbled into design and ended up building a portfolio, and eventually went back to school to get my MFA in Interactive Media. During grad school, I pitched myself for freelance jobs, took on internships in design, and was hyper-focused on building my portfolio. For a while, I was frustrated because not liking my job was not part of my plan. But because of that, I ended up discovering design, becoming a designer, and loving my job.
GG: Tell us about @westofchester. How did you get the idea? And how do you stay inspired?
MG: I started Westofchester in the winter of 2020. I had recently moved back to New York earlier that year for a job and then the pandemic started, and I was confined to being in a tiny apartment. I was missing my family and got really homesick. I’m a pretty nostalgic person, so drawing memories of my childhood memorabilia became a habit that I started as a way to bring comfort during an isolating time. In my earlier work, there was more of a broad representation of Latin culture through iconography. The illustrations were less place-based and focused more on objects. I was always curious about drawing Miami-specific work but I wasn’t sure how it would resonate, and I wondered if my memories were too niche.
Finally, on a visit back home, I decided to just go for it and draw my favorite places I frequented growing up. I noticed my audience started to shift online and more Miami natives were engaging and connecting with my work than ever before. Once I started drawing specific Miami nostalgia, I felt much more energized and inspired. An aspect I’ve really enjoyed is hearing memories people have had at these places as well. In a way, the account has become this communal yearbook. It’s funny, the illustrations serve as this bridge between people I haven’t met before, and we’re somehow reminiscing about going to the same shopping plazas, and feeling at ease to share our stories, despite never having met. I’m learning I’m not alone in my desire to reminisce about the “old” Miami days, and that work enables this nostalgia about unique Miami-specific memories.
GG: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your work?
MG: The most rewarding part of my work is connecting with the community and sharing memories of my favorite childhood spaces with fellow Miami natives. I work from home and am pretty introverted, so aside from my core group of friends, I’ve felt pretty disconnected, especially during the pandemic. Being able to bond with people, and getting to reminisce while making art has been the most recharging aspect of my year.
““Humor is a big part of our community, and through the power of laughing, cafecito, and chisme, we know we can overcome anything.””
GG: Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you make sure to take care of yourself first?
MG: I’ve seen a lot of memes about entering a “señora” era but I am so here for it. I think as I grow into my career, I understand more and more the importance of rest and how necessary it is to recharge. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in a rush or felt as if there wasn’t enough time, but I’m trying my best to gravitate away from the idea of constant urgency. I also feel like I have to remind myself I’m more than my work. I think as a creative, we’re so passionate about the work we do, it can be hard to disconnect from the identity of being a designer but it’s important to make that separation! Regardless of a profession, you’re yourself first and that’s more than enough.
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?
MG: I would say I’m pretty proud of getting my master's degree! I’m the first person in my immediate family to graduate high school and go to college. I never thought I’d get a master’s degree, but whenever I go to my mom’s house and see my degrees framed it makes me proud that we were able to achieve this. My mom worked at a pharmacy for 30 years, and my dad worked at a local paint store for 35 years, and without their support — any of what I’ve achieved wouldn’t have been possible.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
MG: I think being Latina means being resilient, having a sense of humor, and having a constant sense of curiosity. Every Latina I know has overcome so much hardship but still manages to inject jokes during it all. Humor is a big part of our community, and through the power of laughing, cafecito, and chisme, we know we can overcome anything.
GG: What would you tell 15-year-old Melissa right now if you had the opportunity?
MG: I would tell 15-year-old Melissa to slow down. Whenever I think back to my teenage self, the poor thing was always in a hurry and overcome with doubt. There were many sunny afternoons I missed out on because of anxiety or dread. I’ll never be 15 again, but that’s okay! I’ll keep trying to chase the sunny afternoons and make the most of them with this newfound perspective.
