How many times have you been told “you can’t…” or “you’ll never make it”? for some it’s the end of things before they ever really started. For some, it’s fuel. And for others it’s just the way it is. The road to becoming a creative is never straight, simple or easy. In fact its often the things that get in our path, or try to thwart us from what we know we’re capable only serve to drive us more. Join us for what is sure to be an inspiring and energetic discussion about shaking off the nay sayers, working in less than ideal conditions and how refusing to give up has driven the design life of Noel Dolan.

Join us at our new home, CU’s CMCI studio in the lower atrium at 1301 Walnut Avenue in Boulder.

Noel Dolan is an award-winning graphic designer and calligrapher who calls Colorado Springs home. She started her graphic design journey in elementary school with a bootleg copy of the original Photoshop and creating her own fonts. Once she became a grown up, Noel attended Colorado State University and The Art Institute of Colorado. She began her career as an intern at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and later became the Art Director. In 2017, Noel joined the marketing team at Pikes Peak Community College as the Art & Graphic Design Coordinator. In addition to her full-time job, Noel also runs Noel Dolan Creative, teaches calligraphy at Ladyfingers Letterpress, and served as the director of AIGA Colorado Springs for 2 years. Most recently, Noel was named the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Colorado Springs Designer of the Year.

When Noel isn’t designing, she’s lettering, cooking, reading, snuggling her cat Macbeth, and traveling the world. She considers her global adventures to be the biggest inspiration for her work.​​​​​​​