My Evolving Juggle
By Kristen Brasseaux
Kristen Brasseaux is a graphic designer based out of Dallas, Texas. She wears her badge of honor as Chief Juggle Officer of her home, orchestrating the delightful chaos of life with her two-year-old daughter.
I’ve been a graphic designer for the past 15 years. When I first learned about the profession back in high school, I remember thinking, "I could do that." I’ve always had a knack for creating something beautiful from nothing, even though I cannot draw or paint to save my life. Enter—design software!
But graphic design is not just about making things look pretty—it’s about solving problems. I thrive on the challenge of creating visuals that communicate a message effectively and engage the audience. Every project is a puzzle that can be solved, and I love piecing together the elements to create something impactful.
Understanding the psychology behind design—what makes people stop and take notice, what draws them in, and what keeps them engaged—is endlessly fascinating to me.
Over the years, I have worked with an incredible variety of clients and industries—everyone from professional sports teams, fashion designers, energy conservationists, health practitioners, marketing firms, and even metropolitan cities looking to grow their economic footprint. Each project has allowed me to step into a new world, understand unique needs, and bring visions to life.
I’m a born-and-raised Texan, but the past eight years have taken me to three of the four corners of the country (the NE is my favorite in case you were wondering…). After my first big move, 20 hours away from home and the foundation of my corporate design career, I decided to experiment.
I established myself in the corporate world, but because of the cross-country moves, I started to dip my toe into the world of freelance design instead.
This was well before the WFH option became a familiar standard and initially, the part of me that is deeply introverted found myself thriving in a home office setting!
But as the seasons of my life have changed, my appreciation for collecting my own clients grew into something bigger.
The ability to manage my own book of business brought stability during otherwise disruptive cross-country moves. No job searches, no networking for local connections, no endless cover letters—just the continuity of serving clients and helping support their visions.
Sure, my juggle got wobbly at times, especially while managing logistics during moves, but freelancing offered a constant: the ability to work seamlessly while supporting my clients.
Fast forward to today: I’m a mom to an almost two-year-old little girl, and growing my own business now has an even richer meaning in my life. One of the biggest blessings of being a freelance designer is the flexibility it offers.
As a mom, I’m always excited to be a part of life’s little moments with my daughter. She’s very into bubbles and dancing and trying on shoes these days and those are the things that make my days feel worthwhile. It’s a special kind of privilege being able to watch her grow and share in her joys and curiosities.
Freelancing allows me to be as present as any mom could be while still working (although I admit that pre-school two days a week does help with my productivity. Toddlers might be adorable, but deadlines mean nothing to them).
I set my own schedule, which means I can often make time for lunch on the back porch, kissing boo-boos and spontaneous verses of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It’s a balance that working parents everywhere strive for, and while I have no expectations of ever perfecting it, it’s a juggle that is worth the sweat (and frustrations) and I feel like it grants me the best of both worlds.
By setting clear priorities early on, I created a strong foundation that allows me to better balance the demands of both of my roles as mom and designer. It’s an intentional approach that has shaped my career and given me flexibility—creating a kind of juggling harmony.
Finding balance takes work, and I’m still learning to embrace the unpredictability of life. But does anyone ever get to juggle just one ball at a time? I’ve never seen it done before. So, for now, I’m on a mission to welcome the chaos, relish the joy, and keep juggling all the things—personal and professional.
Check back in with me once we start potty training, though…we’ll see how flexible my attitude is then!