Patti Warren

Self-taught graphic designer. No degrees. No certifications. Everything I know about design I've read in a book, learned from tutorials, or asked a lot of questions until I understood it. College degrees are wonderful things, but they're not for everyone, and, well, not for me. Back then, I was just glad to survive high school, get a job, and be on my own.

I'm a Hampton Roads native. A wife. A mother of two grown daughters ... and two dogs. I'm a quirky creative-type with a sarcastic and a bit edgy sense of humor. I take very few things seriously, including myself, so if I bring a smile to your face, my day is complete.

I've held positions in various capacities for companies who gave me a paycheck, but can't say any of them really define who I am. The last company I worked for told me I'd never be hired as a designer at the corporate level, regardless of my qualifications or skills because I didn't have a degree ... so how could I possibly know what I was doing? My response? "Screw that. I can do it on my own." And that's just what I've done.

My online Etsy shop, Printable Pixels is where I've successfully sold custom digital printable typography designs since Dec. 2013. The majority of my designs are wedding related, and I'm honored to provide unique and beautiful designs for a couple's most important day. It's been a pleasure to be able to serve clientele from all over the world. Custom orders comprise about 40% of my business, and I've been enlisted to create designs ranging from the elegantly simple to the offbeat and unique.

Leaving the rat race and working on my own has been one of the best things I've ever done. My husband is my rock, and I'm so blessed to have him by my side through all the craziness in my life. I've finally reached a point in my life where I truly love what I do ... with SO much less stress. I can work from anywhere, anytime, with my dogs by my side, (even in my pajamas all day if I want) ... and for the first time in many years, I'm happy.