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This story is about 30-year-old Sasha R. from Klang Valley who is living every Malaysian’s dream job, earning a 5-figure salary while working remotely.
In an era where the hustle is real and the bills are relentless, striking the perfect balance between passion and financial stability feels like a distant dream for many Malaysians.
The rising cost of living, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, makes the idea of saving even a modest amount each month seem almost impossible.
But what if you could earn in USD while enjoying the comforts of home in Malaysia? That’s exactly what Sasha, a graphic designer, is doing: living the dream of earning a five-figure salary remotely from her home base in Petaling Jaya.
From Classroom Doodles to Digital Masterpieces
Image credit: Sasha R.
Born and raised in Klang Valley, Sasha was your typical science stream student, with a not-so-typical flair for the arts.
“While I loved subjects like biology and chemistry, it was my sketchbook that I spent most of my time doodling in during classes,” Sasha shared.
“A lot of teachers disliked me. Some even said I was just going to fail in life. Luckily, I did have a couple who really encouraged me to take arts.”
Most of Sasha’s teachers and elders pushed her towards the more “secure” path, away from the arts. After getting good SPM results, she recalls being exhorted to practising Law for her A-Levels for a year.
“I was so unhappy doing Law and fought to get my parents to let me study Interactive Media instead. I remember saying to my parents that I just couldn’t do something I disliked. Finally, they relented.”
She enrolled in an Interactive Media degree at a local university, which encompasses design & art with web/app/game design, coding, installation design, and UI & UX.
For her internship placement, Sasha ventured into the world of advertising, landing a spot at Dentsu LHS, a sub-company of Dentsu.
It was here that Sasha began to weave her artistic talents into the fabric of her career – ultimately setting the stage for her to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer.
A Life-Changing Connection
Image credit: Sasha R.
After striking out as a freelance designer, Sasha cut her teeth doing a lot of projects that were purely drawing-based.
One day, she came across a job opening for a personal assistant by a US-based YouTuber with a million-strong following. Out of more than 300 applicants, it was Sasha’s portfolio that caught his eye – thanks to her making custom illustrations and merch designs for him when she submitted her application.
“From what my employer said, it was pretty much what he envisioned for his merch. We actually went on to make real merch from my submitted designs without much changes.”
Sasha was brought into the team as a concept artist, and then headed the creative team as a manager. Eventually, she got promoted to Design Director after their successful Kickstarter campaign.
From Graphic Designer to Head of Creative
Image credit: Sasha R.
When the Youtuber decided to create a language-learning mobile app, he and Sasha had gone through thousands of applicants for the role of UI/UX designer, but none of them were a good fit.
“We went through 1000 different applicants and when we couldn’t find the right one, I told my boss I’d do it instead. The rest is history,” she recalled.
Initially doing just world-building for the mobile app, Sasha now heads the creative design team. The mobile app is currently still under wraps, so she cannot reveal anything about the project.
What we can reveal though is that in her day-to-day job, Sasha wears multiple hats— she does everything from web & icon design, copywriting, social media design, merch (clothing/notebook/plushie) to now UI/UX and mobile app design. In short, it would take a whole team to do what she does on a daily basis.
The demands are high, and she works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly.
How often does Sasha suffer from burnout? “I’ve done 7 day work weeks, but rarely in my 4 years of employment,” she shared. “My company has understanding higher ups who are aware that having a good work life balance helps productivity tremendously.”
Charting Your Path: Advice for Young Designers
Image credit: Sasha R.
As Sasha R. reflects on her unconventional journey, her eyes light up with the passion that has driven her career.
“I was always told by my elders to stick to the science stream because it was the safer choice,” she shares. “A lot of people are not encouraged from a young age to do arts and my experience was no different.”
“It wasn’t easy to go against the grain, but for me, I realised I couldn’t pursue something I disliked for the sake of money.”
“I think the biggest turning point for me was when I decided to move from Law into Interactive Media,” she recalls. “The second turning point for me was not wanting to work in advertising firms and opting to continue to do hand drawn illustrations and merch designs as a freelancer.”
Taking risks has been a cornerstone of Sasha’s journey, and her story is a testament to the power of continuous learning.
“In this industry, you can’t afford to stay still,” she explains. “I’ve always been curious, always eager to pick up new skills—whether it’s learning UI/UX design or taking on a completely different role. Sometimes, you have to be bold and take that leap, even if it scares you.”
Sasha added that if you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to make your job application very tailored to the place you’re applying to.
“I want to stress the importance of actually putting the effort of making job applications unique to the place you’re applying to. I’ve personally chosen hires for my company based applicants who went the extra mile to show their passion.”
The Future of Creative Careers in Malaysia
Image credit: Sasha R.
In a world where AI is rapidly advancing and many fear the displacement of creative jobs, Sasha’s story is a testament to following your heart, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
This young Head of Creative’s trajectory proves that success doesn’t have to come from traditional paths, rather, success in design demands more than talent; it’s that willingness to evolve that keeps you ahead of the curve.
For Malaysians in their 20s still navigating their future career paths, Sasha’s journey offers a powerful inspiration: With the right mix of passion and perseverance, a career in the arts can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
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Also read: Why I Left My Comfortable Office Job in Kuala Lumpur to Work on an Island
Why I Left My Comfortable Office Job in Kuala Lumpur to Work on an Island
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