From Middle School Edits to Professional Designs: My Journey with Apps and Software

 

When I look back at my late elementary, early middle school days, I can’t help but smile at how much I loved playing around with editing apps like Musical.ly (Now TikTok), Funimate, and VideoStar. At first, I was just making fun videos with clips from my favorite shows, adding music and effects. Though my early creations weren’t anything special, they taught me the basics of editing, cutting clips, adding my own sound, and experimenting with transitions. Little did I know, this would spark a much bigger interest in design.

By the time I reached late middle school, I’d started a small brand called Advertisements by Aliya, where I made flyers, logos, and simple business materials. At first, my designs were pretty basic, but then I discovered PicsArt, Canva, and Adobe. These tools completely changed my work. With PicsArt, I learned to play with layers and filters, while Canva made it easy to create professional-looking business cards and flyers using templates. It was a huge step forward for me.

The more I practiced, the more I realized that Canva and Adobe are amazing for both beginners and those looking to go pro. Canva is perfect for quick, polished designs. It's easy to use and has tons of templates to help you create beautiful projects fast. But if you want more control and are ready to dive deeper into design, Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator give you the flexibility to create custom work.

Looking back, what started as simple edits in middle school has evolved into a love for design that I still carry with me today. From amateur business cards to designs I’m genuinely proud of, these apps have shaped my creative journey. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for a professional level, these tools can help you bring your ideas to life.

Feel free to read this article on why Canva is an essential tool!