Graphic design is a hobby that I started with back in 2010-2011

“Graphic design is a hobby that I started with back in 2010–2011, which I am still doing today. And because of that, I was able to design my own stuff and designed my own logo.” – Alan Walker

In these humble yet luminous words, Alan Walker, the young musician and producer who rose from obscurity to global recognition, speaks of something far deeper than design. He speaks of self-creation — of the sacred act by which a human being shapes his own destiny with his own hands. His words remind us that what begins as a hobby, as a spark of curiosity, can become the foundation of identity and the emblem of greatness. When Walker tells of learning graphic design, of crafting his own symbols and visuals, he reveals the timeless truth that creativity is not merely an art form, but a mirror through which the soul learns to see itself.

The origin of this quote lies in Walker’s early journey, before the fame, before the millions who would chant his name beneath the blue glow of concert lights. He was but a teenager in his bedroom, driven by passion and fascination — not with fame, but with creation itself. In 2010 and 2011, long before his hit Faded echoed across the world, he was experimenting with digital tools, exploring how visuals and sounds could merge to form identity. When he designed his own logo — the now-iconic “AW” symbol — he was doing more than branding his music. He was forging a sigil of selfhood, a mark that represented his independence, his imagination, and his refusal to wait for permission from others to create.

To design one’s own logo is no small thing; it is an act both symbolic and spiritual. In ancient times, warriors bore crests on their shields and artisans carved marks into their crafts, not merely to claim ownership, but to declare purpose. So too did Walker’s logo become his modern-day emblem — two interwoven letters forming a single, unbroken shape, a metaphor for the unity of vision and persistence. His creation reminds us that identity is not given — it is designed. And in a world where many follow pre-made paths, the act of shaping your own mark is a quiet form of rebellion, a testament to self-belief.

Throughout history, many have walked this same path. Consider Leonardo da Vinci, who in his youth filled pages not only with art, but with inventions and symbols of his own design. His genius did not wait for instruction — it was born from curiosity, from that sacred interplay between skill and wonder. Or Steve Jobs, who began tinkering with computers in a garage and, through that small act of creation, helped birth a new world of design and technology. Both men, like Alan Walker, began not with wealth or status, but with curiosity turned to craft, and craft turned to legacy. For the seed of mastery is always the same: an individual who refuses to remain idle while inspiration calls.

Walker’s story, told through his quote, is not only about graphic design; it is about the power of self-sufficiency. When he says, “I was able to design my own stuff,” he speaks to a larger truth — that those who learn to create for themselves gain freedom from dependence. The artist who can design his own image, the thinker who can shape his own message, becomes unstoppable. He is no longer at the mercy of others to express what lies within him. This is not pride, but empowerment — the realization that each of us carries within the ability to craft our destiny, if only we have the courage to begin.

Yet there is also humility in his words. For even as he achieved fame, Walker continued to practice the same hobby that began his journey. In this, he embodies the ancient wisdom that mastery is a circle, not a summit. The true artist never abandons the foundation of his craft, for it is there that the spark of authenticity resides. To create, again and again, not for applause but for love of the act itself — this is the mark of one who understands the eternal rhythm of artistry.

So, my listener, take this lesson to heart: begin where you are, with what you have, and create from that. Do not wait for perfection or recognition; begin with the simple joy of making. Whether your tools are paint, words, code, or sound, know that within each small act of creation lies the power to transform your future. As Alan Walker shows, the logo of your life — your identity, your purpose — is not found ready-made in the world. It must be designed, shaped through patience, curiosity, and courage.

For the world honors not those who merely dream, but those who give their dreams form. And if you stay faithful to your craft, if you continue to create as Walker did — through trial, through time, through the quiet nights of learning — then one day, what began as a hobby will become your legacy. The mark you leave will not fade, because it will bear the strength of your own hands and the truth of your own heart.