10 Episode 69: Alyssa Low - The Design Of Bold Joy

What happens when you say yes to what brings you joy, even if it starts on the side? For Chicago-based artist and designer Alyssa Low, it began with a quiet sketch. A visual diary during the early days of the pandemic. “I was just trying to express what I was feeling, when words didn’t quite work,” she says. That simple practice of showing up for herself turned into something bigger. One mural became two. Then came the collaborations: Wayfair. The Chicago Bulls. Soho House. Public art that now lives across city walls, basketball courts, patios, and even 10,000 hats handed out at a Bulls game. Alyssa is a multidisciplinary artist and muralist whose work is rooted in bold color, community connection, and movement. But she still holds a full-time design job. And she still approaches every project with the same focus and curiosity that shaped her as a kid, watching her mom run a design studio out of their home, playing competitive soccer, and practicing Tae Kwon Do forms that taught her how to focus, adapt, and flow. I n her words: “If it brings me joy, I keep going. That’s when the best work shows up.” I n this episode, Alyssa shares: + How to build something meaningful, while still working full-time + The moment murals “clicked” and what made her say yes before she felt ready + What it felt like to see thousands of people wearing her design at a Bulls game vHow sports and martial arts helped her find her rhythm as an artist and entrepreneur vWhy staying connected to identity, culture, and community gives her work purpose Whether you’re a creative, a leader, a builder, or simply someone figuring out what’s next—this story is a reminder to pay attention to what lights you up. Because sometimes, the most important step is simply starting. 🎧 Listen to The Design Of Bold Joy wherever you get your podcasts. #DesignOfPodcast #AlyssaLow #CreativeJourney #SideHustle #PublicArt #Murals #ChicagoCreatives #Identity #Leadership #JoyAtWork #BoldJoy