Meet Mirina Garoufalidis | Designer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mirina Garoufalidis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mirina, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Before last year, before I decided to start a business, I thought owning a business was impossible. I thought so many things were impossible. I thought I didn’t have power, I thought I couldn’t create change, I thought my creative talents weren’t valuable. But deciding to go out and get what I want has transformed everything for me. Now I know I can achieve anything I want.

I learned that by limiting my imagination I was limiting what was possible. Now, my imagination is running wild with ideas that I believe truly do create change. I’ve seen my power ripple out into other spheres, I see that I’m paving the way for other people to second-guess a corporate career and what we consider normal, I see that the way people around me think is changing. I have power that I didn’t notice before.

That I think is the most beautiful thing my business has taught me: anything is possible. We can create change. It gave me power in a time that I felt I didn’t have any. It broke so many mental barriers I put up for myself. Looking back on the past year, I’ve accomplished so many things I thought were impossible for most of my life and I’ve never been more proud. It feels so good to pursue something I believe in, something that makes me happy in my bones. That is such a gift.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Of course! What sets me apart from other creatives is that my work is true to me. I think the only thing we can do as artists is speak from our own experiences. That’s what makes art real and personal.

It’s funny, even though I’ve been making art – like good art – since I was in high school, I still didn’t call myself an artist. Growing up I was encouraged to go into STEM and my creative talents were often overlooked and undervalued. It’s only recently that I’ve come to understand that creativity is my superpower, it heals me, and it’s how I can create change. Sometimes I still doubt myself today and that’s been a big challenge to overcome. I never had somebody telling me how amazing my art was growing up, telling me that I could do something with it, that I could have a happy future and pursue something creative. I’m still battling a lot of voices that tell me I should pursue something more stable but I know running a design studio is what I’m meant to do.

I’m proud that I’ve been able to block out other people’s opinions of what will make me happy and listen to what my body tells me is right. The work I’ve created has made so many of my dreams come true, already! I always wanted to be a fashion designer, so I made a clothing collection. Boom, I’m a fashion designer. I never even thought I would be a published author or that people want to hear what I have to say, but here I am publishing a zine on budgeting and there’s more to come. I finally have a place to uplift others voices and spread joy by sharing what inspires me. I’m tired of hearing the narratives of “chase more money to be happy” or “women can’t do all of these things” or “you need to hoard wealth in order to be safe” or “creating change isn’t possible.” I’m TIRED of hearing this, I’m tired of our power structures and I’m really proud that I’ve chosen to pursue something different because I know what’s right. I’m building a future that I believe in, alongside so many others, and it’s going to create real, delicious change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok I love food more than anything, so we would take a food tour of Atlanta. For Ethiopian food we would go to Bole or Desta and for Indian food we would check out Madras Mantra, Shalimar Kebab House, or Cafe Bombay. In my neighborhood we have some fantastic Jamaican food, so we would definitely check out Scotch Bonnet for some jerk wings and oxtails if I’m feeling fancy. And for Latin food we would go to Mango Latino Grill for some arepas, or get some Doña Joche Empanadas.

Other than that I’d probably take them to a park or nature preserve to get the city-in-a-forest feel that I think makes Atlanta what it is. We might check out Piedmont Park, Cascade Creek Nature Preserve, or Sweetwater Creek. If I was feeling safe we might go see an art show at Hi-Lo press or Kai Lin (my favorite galleries in the city), but to be honest I haven’t been out much since the pandemic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes! There are so many people who deserve recognition.

First is Design to Divest, a Black-led group that began a year ago that seeks to decolonize our design and thought processes. Their weekly meetings completely changed the way I think about what I participate in through my actions. Their discussions gave me light and hope in a period of isolation. Because of them I see how nourishing the fight for change is. In fighting for the freedom of others, I free myself. Or really, they freed me. Azeez Alli and Shakeil Greeley, leaders of the group, in particular deserve a lot of credit.

Another group that inspired me is Where Are The Black Designers, another Black-led organization addressing the fact that only 3% of the design industry is Black, and they’re seeking to change that. Seeing the way they lead – with openness and willingness to admit mistakes and change because of it – completely shifted the way I view leadership. I’m tired of people at the top acting as if they know everything. I want to lead with accountability and by being able to adapt with new knowledge I acquire.

Some others who have given me light: Emergent Strategy by adrienne marie brown, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, The Amber Ruffin Show, and the members of my book club who share their love and resources with me twice a month. Also, my partner and my friends Zoe and Olive deserve credit for being the people cheering me along as I carve out a new path for myself.

Website: www.mirinadesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirinadesigns/

Image Credits
Zoe Webb and Mirina Designs