This article was written by Gabriel, Creative Designer at 24Slides Peru, as part of 24Slides’ #StorytellerProgram.
I did not always want to be a graphic designer, but since I decided that this was my career path, I never wanted to follow anything else. After spending six years of my life studying it and learning all the technical aspects I could, I kept hearing the same phrase over and over again: “Graphic design is a purely operational job.” That idea made me feel like there would be no space to expand my role, but more importantly, no space to expand myself in the workplace.
I started working an 8 to 6 job where most days were about getting to the office on time, plugging in my earphones, doing whatever the boss had planned for the day, and waiting for the clock to set me free so I could feel again.
Since I consider myself a very curious and creative person, I felt trapped in a place where I barely had a voice, and I barely saw the sun’s light. That was a hard hit to what I expected from a graphic designer’s life, but everything took a big turn when I met 24Slides.
Taking my shot on a New Path
I first heard about 24Slides through a friend who was already working there, so you can imagine how I felt every time I heard about such a wonderful workspace while being confined to an office where everyone seemed trapped in their own world. One day, that same friend told me about an opportunity to join them, and I knew I had to give it a shot.
Here in Peru, there is a recurring issue where companies often ask for as much experience as possible, only to place you in a low position. This time, however, it was different. Of course, they were interested in my experience as a graphic designer, but what mattered most was what I was capable of, not only in design, but also in teamwork and who I was as a person, so they could be sure I would fit into the culture they work so hard to maintain.
When I was selected, I had to quit my previous job to start a training month that could lead to my final insertion into the company. Despite the fear of quitting, I felt motivated to go all in because I trusted this decision would not only move my career forward but also restore the joy that had drawn me to graphic design in the first place.
Getting to know what I always thought Graphic Design should be
From the very first day at 24Slides, everything felt different. A colorful workplace where people were genuinely interested in each other, where conversations happened naturally while working, and not everyone was absorbed by their computers.
I met my team, “Alpaka,” a group of wonderful people I am proud to call friends and mentors. It wasn’t just about making my designs correct. It was about creating together. That is such a privilege, because it gave me new tools to expand my abilities and taught me new ways of approaching my work. I felt the desire to create again and to go to an office where I knew I was welcome.
It wasn’t only the professional side that started to shine again. I also learned how meaningful it can be to work and spend time with people you truly care about. I would say 24Slides is a place where you grow not only through work, but also through meetings and gatherings that help you connect with the people who make this place special.
It truly gives you the feeling that at 24Slides you can find a healthy balance between work and personal life, both in the office and through the remote modality.
How remote work helped me reconnect with my roots
Peru is a very centralized country, and for “modern” careers such as graphic design, moving to the capital often feels like the only practical option to find a job where you are valued. For someone like me, who grew up in a smaller part of the country, pursuing my career also meant moving away from my hometown and my family, a reality that is as painful as it sounds.
By this point, it is probably clear how trapped I felt in my previous job, but it was also exhausting to work half days on Saturdays. Not because of the workload itself, but because it made it almost impossible to spend time with my family. I had to travel immediately after clocking out on Saturday and return early Sunday afternoon just to be on time for work on Monday. That left me with less than one day a week to see my parents.
This changed completely when I joined 24Slides. The company’s understanding of workflow made remote work possible, giving us more time to take care of our personal lives and, for me, more time to be with my family. I must say that the way the company cares about its people is incredible, offering flexibility and understanding in special situations that truly make life easier.
That moment when I knew the company cared about me
It was during Christmas 2024 when the leadership of the Peruvian office gave us the opportunity to go fully remote for the second half of December, allowing us to spend the holidays with our families again. This was something I hadn’t been able to do in my first job, and it had taken a real toll on my emotional well-being.
I was able to visit my parents for more than just a few days while continuing to work and staying connected with my team. It felt almost unreal to be close to my loved ones while also enjoying my job, knowing my teammates were experiencing the same with their own families.
As the end of the year approached and it was nearly time to return to the office, an unexpected situation arose: my grandfather needed to undergo important health checkups. Under normal circumstances, this would have required my parents to step away from work to care for him, as he could not be left alone. I spoke with my Design Manager and asked if it would be possible to extend my remote work so I could stay home and take care of him, giving my parents the chance to continue working.
Not only did she help me get that permission approved, but she also showed genuine understanding and care for my family situation, something that in most workplaces in Peru would not even be considered. I was able to take care of my grandfather while continuing to work, and I will always be grateful for that.
A difficult moment turned into a very special one. Being able to support my family and my career at the same time felt like a gift, especially when his health check results came back positive. The smile on my family’s faces is something I will never forget.
Coming back to the office with a smile
By the end of that week, I had to return to the office. On paper, it sounds hard. Going back after such a meaningful holiday season does not usually come with excitement. For me, however, it felt different.
I was genuinely excited to see my friends again. They knew about my situation and supported me throughout that difficult week. When we met again, they welcomed me warmly, asked how everything had gone, and shared my happiness that everything had turned out so well.
24Slides has very clear values that you can feel every day at work, but the one that resonates most with me is ‘We Care’. Caring about the quality of the work also means caring about the people behind it.
I chose graphic design because of my passion for creating and communicating visually what words sometimes cannot express. This is a company that truly cares, not just through words, but through the decisions and actions it takes to make every member of this family a valuable part of the team.
This year, I applied for a new position in the marketing team as a Creative Designer, which meant leaving my beloved Alpaka team. It was not easy, but it did not feel heavy either, because I know I am growing into a better designer. Being able to share that growth with my friends and my teams is part of the magic here at 24Slides. We all grow, and we all care about it.
