What They Never Taught You: Real Talk about Your Creative Career

After 20+ years as a professional illustrator — and escaping a soul-crushing corporate job — I've learned what it really takes to build a lasting creative career. These are hard-earned lessons you only learn by doing work and making lots of mistakes along the way. I’m Yuko Shimizu and my session cuts through industry myths and delivers the honest, useful, and sometimes tough truths no one tells you.

In this candid, no-nonsense talk, you'll learn:

• How to craft a portfolio that sticks in the minds of potential clients
• Why imposter syndrome is normal, and how to channel self-doubt into creative momentum
• Real-world strategies on how to handle difficult, tricky situations and build lasting, professional relationships
• And while I’ll share examples from my own work, this talk is ultimately about you — your path, your choices, and your creative future

Technical Level: General Audience

Category: Inspiration

Track: Creativity and Marketing in Business, Graphic Design and Illustration

Audience: Art/Creative Director, Educator, Graphic Designer, Motion Designer, Photographer, Post-Production Professional, Print Designer, Web Designer, 3D, Illustrator, Social Media Content Creator, Marketer, Content Manager