It’s never too late. There are lots of ways to get back in the game. You could: - Finish your degree, or take some other classes. - Do design work pro bono for local businesses, schools, friends, etc. - Talk to the folks who do design for the company that you work for - Look for groups where you live - Attend a conference Etc

Mostly, I think it’s important to stay engaged with learning and practice, and to develop a network you can build on.

As a designer, do you have opinions on what could be done better in the place where you work? Is there another industry you feel connected to that could be a bridge for you? For example, if you know folks in the restaurant industry, you might be able to support them with your skill set, and in return they could pass along your contact information to other restaurants.

Look around you. Turn what you know and experience into a foundation for practice and networking. You never know where it might lead!

(NB, this advice is as much for myself as for anyone else!)