Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Monecé.
I loved art for a very long time. I’m pretty sure since Pre-K… I was in all sorts of art programs/ shows. I know I wanted to do something creative once I graduated but I didn’t know what. So, it’s my sophomore year of high school at Duncanville and I had to choose an elective. I wanted to go into the Cosmetology program only because I had always done my own hair really cute & all of my friends told me they were going to enroll. So, I went to my counselor and got ready to enroll and all of the spots were full. I was so freaking pissed. LOL. She started showing me other electives. Woodshop, Culinary Arts. *yawn* I’m turning everything down. Then she showed me a computer class, BCIS (Business Computer Information Systems). I honestly thought I would just be on Myspace all day. Easy A+ right? Wrong. Honestly, this class was like a gateway drug to the world wide web. After that, I was hooked. I went on to take an Animation class (Mr. Landry) in 11th grade. Then, in my senior year, I knew I wanted to deal with art & computers so I took BIMM(Business Image and Multimedia Management) with Mrs. Burnap & CMAT (Computer Multimedia and Animation Technology) with Mrs. Lane.
Has it been a smooth road?
If it was a smooth road, I guess this wouldn’t be that much of an interesting story, would it? LOL.
There were definitely struggles. There still are, hell! I don’t know everything there is to know and I am still learning. And that’s the thing… I try to force myself to grow by doing things I don’t know how to do. Sometimes, I fail at them… Sometimes, I make breakthroughs & I succeed. But I don’t give up! Ever!
When I first finished my general courses at Texas A&M University-Commerce and was enrolled in the art program which was here back in Dallas, I felt very alone like I was stumbling around in the dark. This was probably the most scared I had ever felt. My friends who I had come to love so much were in all still Commerce and here I am going to school to do what I love, in a beautiful city… ALONE!
The people in the program with me were all very wonderful designers but I didn’t see anyone like me. I was the only African American female in my class and I think that’s what scared me the most.
If I could give young women in this field any advice, I would say exposure is key. I’m so glad I was exposed to design at a young age with all the computer graphics classes I took in high school and Mrs. Lane there to push me away from the norm… but I needed more.
Leave that door open behind you, for another young lady to walk through that door just like those women did for you!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am the Owner of Just Another Web Paige where I am the Designer and Creative. I mainly focus on my client’s online presence. What their brand identity looks like to their consumers online, as well as offline. I can do anything creative. And if I can’t… I will learn how!
I am most proud of my customer service as a brand. People don’t focus on that anymore and it shows. During high school and college, I had lots of customer service jobs. So, I implement those same standards into JAWP to make sure my clients are satisfied. I take everything into consideration when dealing with returning and potential clients. From the color scheme of their website all the way down to the custom shape of their business cards. I want them satisfied.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Of course. I won’t give ALL my tips and tricks out but…
If there are any creatives who want to showcase their portfolio and discover the latest work from other creative professionals across industries Behance.com is your site.
Women In Graphic Design by Gerda Breuer & Julia Meer
Girls Who Code by Reshma Saujani
As Long as It’s Pink by Penny Sparke
The Art Of Graphic Design by Bradbury ThompsonApps; THE WHOLE ADOBE SUITE. Lol. You can get it at a discounted rate if you’re a student/teacher. They have so many tutorials in the suite and on YouTube.
You should find lots of inspiration!
Pricing:
- Social Media Banners – $30
- Instagram Highlight Covers(6) – $40
- Logo Design -$75
- Motion Graphics (10 seconds) – $80
- Web Design (base rate) – $150
Contact Info:
- Website: PaigeMonece.com
- Email: JAWP@PaigeMonece.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ justanotherwebpaige/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ justanotherwebpaige/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
