Layers of Me:
How Cake Decorating Shaped My Creative Voice

I didn’t start out in communications. I started out with buttercream, piping bags, and a whole lot of trial and error.

Before I became a communications assistant at Kennesaw State University, I spent two years in a bakery, elbow-deep in buttercream and fondant. I wasn’t just decorating cakes, I was learning how to communicate visually, manage chaos with grace, and connect with people through edible art. This post is a reflection on how that experience shaped my creative identity and continues to influence my work today.

Cake decorating is more than piping pretty swirls. It’s a full-on design process. I’d start with a sketch, sometimes based on a client’s vague idea (“something pink and sparkly?”), and transform it into a cohesive visual story. Color palettes, texture choices, and structural decisions all had to work together, just like in graphic design or digital branding.

I often turned to YouTube for tutorials and inspiration, and I’d scroll through Pinterest boards filled with whimsical creations. These platforms helped me refine my aesthetic and taught me how to balance creativity with practicality.

One of the most memorable projects I took on was decorating a traditional three-tiered wedding cake. It was my first time handling something formal and high-stakes, and I won’t lie; I was nervous. The design was all piping work, no shortcuts, no fresh flowers to fill gaps. Just buttercream, a steady hand, and a lot of patience.

I spent hours making sure every detail was clean and symmetrical. I remember holding my breath while finishing the final tier, hoping it would hold up during delivery. I still have a photo of that cake, and looking back, I’m proud of how it turned out. That experience taught me how to stay focused under pressure and trust my instincts.

When I transitioned to college and communications work, I realized how much of my cake-decorating mindset carried over. I now approach digital content like I approached cakes: with intention, empathy, and a creative edge.

At KSU’s University Information Technology Services, I manage digital outreach, design graphics, and help shape student engagement strategies. My background in edible art gives me a unique lens; I value aesthetics, and I understand how to tailor messages to different audiences. Turns out, spending hours perfecting buttercream piping teaches you a lot about patience, problem-solving, and paying attention to the little things, which I use daily.

Cake decorating wasn’t just a job; it was a foundation. It taught me how to tell stories, solve problems, and find joy in the details. It gave me a creative voice that now echoes through my work in communications, design, and advocacy. And while I’ve traded piping bags for PowerPoint slides, I still believe that every project, like every cake, should be crafted with care, purpose, and a little bit of creativity.

Keywords: Cake decorating, creative process, visual storytelling, communications strategy, digital branding, transferable skills, student engagement, Kennesaw State University, edible art, professional development, design thinking.