ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The idea of my very own creative book has been bouncing around for quite a while and I’ve always known that at the right time it will happen. I’m truly glad I waited, and I honestly feel that you are receiving a much better version of me and the right book now.

I owe much gratitude to every single person who has encouraged me creatively throughout my life. Those that have cheered me on and helped me through many of the mediums I have explored, to now my specialty of design. Sadly, even to this day, so many people are discouraged from taking a creative path as they are told to “stop dreaming” or “get a real job.” Luckily for me, my cheerleaders outweighed the naysayers and I want to thank myself here for being stubborn enough and driven enough to prove people wrong and going ahead and doing it anyway. I hope this book encourages you to follow your own brave creative heart.

Ever since I was little, I have always been a person who is constantly bursting with ideas and looking for new avenues through which I can express myself. As a child, I loved drama, dance, and art, and it was apparent from an early age that I loved to create and that I did not like to sit still. Back then, I shied away from routine, and even as an adult, I still describe myself as a genuine fidget. I love being surrounded by creative clutter. My creativity as a child led me to pursue an artistic path in high school, and along with a truly inspirational teacher, Ali—aka Miss McWatt, who saw the potential in me—my creativity saw me through some extreme episodes of bullying at crucial times in my education. I even had to change schools. Her faith in me and tireless support helped nurture my talent and bring my confidence and grades back up, and I left high school feeling recharged and ready to show the world what I was made of. Looking back, I do try to carry the lessons and encouragement she showed me into my own business ethics and teachings for Make It In Design, an online design school that I cofounded. My education platform is really all about showing people that they can create—that they can be successful, regardless of what they’ve been through. Yes, that means you too!

A huge thank-you goes to my wonderful team over at Make It In Design, past and present, with whom I have just celebrated over a decade in business: in particular Beth Kempton, Paul Kempton, Kelly Crossley, Vic Dickenson, and Charlotte Clayton, along with our freelance support and many guest experts and collaborators. They are the most wonderful team anyone could wish for and each one of them plays a huge part in creating our magic.

I would especially like to highlight my business partner, Beth Kempton, who’s been an inspirational figure in my life since the day we met. She has helped me really believe in myself and fearlessly go after what I want. She made me recognize that ongoing growth and learning is so important and that it’s okay to live and work outside the status quo. In fact, I owe her another huge thanks as she kindly gifted me her Book Proposal Masterclass, and her brilliant advice and structured system played a huge part in me taking my book idea seriously.

The next spotlight goes to Kelly Crossley, who works for both Make It In Design and the Rachael Taylor Design Studio. She continues to astonish me with her multidisciplinary talents, efficiency, kindness, dedication, hard work, and organized approach. Without her support and calming influence, I definitely would have been very overwhelmed writing this book. From reading my messy early drafts to encouraging my honest writing style. She also worked so brilliantly in assisting me with my creative vision, design layouts, and ideas and has been truly instrumental to all aspects of this book.

I would also like to show gratitude to my international art agent, Lilla Rogers, and her lovely supportive team for landing me some really cool jobs over the years. I’m always so appreciative of their relaxed approach and flexibility with me.

Another big thank-you goes to the makeitindesign.com and rachaeltaylordesigns.com community. To this day I’m in awe of your dedication and achievements, but what I love most is seeing how supportive and encouraging you are with one another. That’s how creative communities should be! Our online community has gotten me through some tricky times too. I’m forever influenced, enriched, inspired, and motivated by all the brilliant individuals and wonderful cultures that we celebrate. My life is truly better for you being a part of it, and I feel so honored to have been your mentor and tutor for many years.

To my clients past and present and industry peers, thank you for believing in me, hiring me, and collaborating with me. You have shaped me into the diverse designer, mentor and person I am today.

I owe lots of gratitude to the lovely team at Quarto, from my kind, trusting, and skilled editor Joy Aquilino for allowing my authentic voice to come through, to Winnie Danenbarger, the Senior Vice President and publishing director, for having faith in me. To Regina Grenier, for her brilliant art direction that really streamlined the process and clarified my vision for this book. To Anne Landa for her epic support and encouragement and all of the Quarto marketing team who have all played such important roles for turning my dream into a reality.

I want to give a shout to Holly Booth and Peter Salter at Holly Booth Studio for their brilliant attention to detail and for really listening to my creative vision when capturing the majority of the imagery for this book.

I’d also like to thank Kate Forrest for her great support and creativity over the years helping me feel more confident each time I’m made up for camera.

A thank-you also goes to my Cuban-based photography and style squad, David Diaz, Carolina Lopez Tejero, and Suny González Lozano, for all the wonderful on-location images over the years and the creative growth, laughter, and Spanish lessons.

Another big acknowledgment has to be to my mum. Not only is she my biggest supporter but she could also shake the world with her resiliency, bravery, and strength. Her approach to living life to the fullest is a beautiful example to many. No matter what absurd idea I have, or when I’m running a million miles an hour on a project or have even fell in a big slump from exhaustion, she is the person who has my back. She never doubts me for a single second, encourages me but never pushes me, and has always given me freedom to just figure out who I am. I’m forever grateful for her style of parenting and being my inspiration and my rock. I would also like to thank all my close family members, in particular my auntie Paula and stepdad John for their ongoing love and support. They are there cheering me on no matter what.

To my most beautiful creation to date, my son Blayke: Thank you for showing me what true happiness is, making me feel complete, and never failing to make me smile every day. I hope that when you are old enough to understand this book it encourages you to continue with your own creative path. Keep bursting with those brilliant ideas of yours and you will forever provide sunshine on a rainy day to many.

A dedication goes to my gorgeous and kind Roo, thanks for driving me to my photoshoots and hunting down the best emergency props! You managed to keep me chilled out during this book-writing process. You make every day feel like an amazing adventure and have been an unexpected and wonderful gift. My life is all the better for loving you, thank you for embracing my quirks and always supporting me without judgement.

Thank you to many of my dear friends, from my loyal school friends to my lovely university friends especially Carrie, Beckie, Jen, Lisa, Steph, Liz, Gemma, Rach, Nicky, and my fab fellow creatives Vic, Libby, and Louise, who all became like sisters. To my newer friends, travel buddies, and my Cuba family for embracing my imperfect self. In particular I’m so grateful for Michel’s bright light, amazing support, spiritual wisdom, and yoga encouragement, and to all who have really shown up during turbulent times and have been a bright beacon.

A shout-out also goes to Anne Gilbertston for her wonderful acupuncture treatments that have become such a necessity for my mental health and creative output.

Also, thank you to my right hand—the only one I type with. Despite being ambidextrous with almost everything, somehow, I rely on my right hand to type. We got there! Aches, cramped fingers, and all!

I also want to say I’m very grateful for my life. You see, just over twenty-four years ago my life was saved by a stranger—well, a guardian angel, really. I’ve never ever met that person and know nothing about them other than they were walking their dog. But without them acting so swiftly and the medics keeping me alive, I wouldn’t be here writing this. I’m most grateful for being given a second chance at life, as I was told it’s a miracle that I even survived. Perhaps a little bit deep for an acknowledgments page, but hey, I think we all take life for granted at times and I’m so grateful for the gift that it is. People often say I’m different or they haven’t met anyone like me before. I think it’s mostly said in a good way, I hope, and if not, I’m okay with not being everyone’s cup of tea! But that experience made me who I am today, and I really do try to live life to the fullest. For example, I decided to write a book while undergoing dyslexia assessments. I hope overcoming my struggles can give you the courage to know you can overcome yours.

These past few years have probably been the most transformational years both personally and professionally. I feel like I’ve been growing and shedding my cocoon for quite some time, and I’m now able to truly spread my beautiful butterfly wings.

Last but not least, I want to thank you, my lovely audience, for showing up and reading my words and committing to powering up your creativity. I can’t wait to watch you flourish.