The Beginning of the Journey
- mfindleydesign
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Hey, I’m Melissa — welcome to Nomadic Type.
This is a space for creative detours. For slowing down. For seeing the world and your work with fresh eyes. It’s part design diary, part travel journal, and completely inspired by what happens when you step away from the familiar and start collecting details from everywhere that is not behind a computer screen.
Why Now?
Not long ago, I lost my mom. She always encouraged me to take leaps and supported new adventures while always saying: “Do it while you’re young.” That saying kept rolling through my mind for months, so I did.
My partner and I packed up our lives into a storage unit and started our journey. It wasn’t just a trip, it was a shift. A way to grieve, reflect, and reconnect to what makes us feel alive. And for me, that’s always been creativity.
Where We’ve Been
We started in Mexico, and landed there the evening of Día de Muertos. We quickly became surrounded by festivals and colors that seemed to vibrate with energy. Then came Guatemala with it's cobblestones, handwoven textiles, colorful buildings, and volcanoes smoking in the distance. I was so moved by the artists we met and the vibrant murals painting stories of their lives. El Salvador brought quiet days with beautiful people and a city with so many hidden gems of color and light.
Then we arrived in Japan, where design lived in the details. Every sign, system, and surface felt intentional. What surprised me most was the subtle humor woven into even the most functional design: friendly arrows, playful characters, and signage that felt like it was gently guiding you rather than shouting directions. Japan showed me how order and charm can coexist and how everyday visuals can be both efficient and full of personality.
After that came the Philippines where it felt like we stepped into a screensaver with it's vibrant sea and white beaches. We found working there more of a challenge with rolling blackouts but also gave into the peace and simpleness we found there zipping through the terrain on a motorbike soaking it all in. Then Vietnam, it stole my heart. The scenery, textures, colors, and amazing people inspired me like no other place. With a 3 day motorbike adventure I was able to sit in my own thoughts and take in the beauty and contrast this country had to offer.
And then... Thailand and it's golden temples and bustling colorful markets. A kind of creative saturation that made me want to capture everything and inspired me to start sharing the inspiration I've found.
Through it all, my partner has been by my side, steady, supportive, and always up for the next unknown. He’s the calm in the whirlwind, the one who makes the logistics work, and the reason I’ve been able to fully lean into this experience.
What This Is
I work as a creative director in-house for a supportive company that has allowed me to follow my travel dreams. Nomadic Type is something different from my regular day to day creative work life. It’s about noticing. Wandering. Letting inspiration happen in the wild.
This site is:
A visual journal of everywhere we’ve been
A place for design discoveries, half-baked ideas, and some creative fun
A reminder that creativity can (and should) follow you everywhere
Who This Is For
If you love design. If you love travel. If you believe the world itself is one big moodboard, this is for you. You’ll find stories, snapshots, and reflections here. Some will be about color. Some about typography and a little bit of photography. Some will just be about a feeling I had in a market in Chiang Mai, or a quiet alley in Kyoto.
A Final Thought
This isn’t just a project. It’s a way of looking at life differently. A heartfelt tribute to exploring the world, slowing down, finding the details, and doing something you love with someone you love.
If that sounds like your thing, welcome to Nomadic Type. We’re just getting started.
— Melissa the Nomad
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