Tell us a bit about your journey as a multimedia artist. What led you to this field?
Art has been a huge part of my life from a young age. I would stare at album covers, movie posters and other sources of design for as long as possible. I then became intrigued in the process of the design process. How were these being created? Is this possible for me to do? I downloaded every free software I could and began my own journey in multimedia. When I reached high school I chose to take a graphic design course. This sealed the deal. With a phenomenal teacher, supportive family, and a few projects that were geared towards my interests, I found that this would be my career path. I went on to study Digital Arts and Design in College and from then on I have fallen more in love.
How was your experience traveling across the US in your RV? Any memorable moments or places?
The idea of traveling in an RV had sat with me for a while in my young 20s. When I finally had the chance, I took it as fast as I could. With a lot of help and patience I turned a 1995 RV into my home on wheels. It was quite an adventure. It taught me a lot about myself, people and places. There are plenty of memories that come to mind but I can’t help to think of all the incredible food, festivals and attractions I experienced. I was on nothing but my own agenda. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. My favorite place I visited was Greenville, SC. The most serene and peaceful city in America. I watched plenty of concerts downtown with the waterfall flowing the distance. Visit there if you get the chance!
What drew you to Mad Men Marketing, and what are you most excited about in this role?
Mad Men Marketing caught my eye because it is exactly what I was looking for. Not just the work itself but the team environment that was apparent from the outside looking in. All of the success the company has gained makes you want to be a part of it. I am most excited about the differences in day to day. One day I get to work on video editing and another I am creating vector graphics for a campaign. I am also excited to get to work with a group of great people who share a love for the industry.
What tools or software are your go-tos for graphic design and production?
Adobe, Adobe, Adobe. Everything Adobe. When I am creating graphics my first choice is always Illustrator. I love working in vectors. This creates so many compatibility opportunities. With my favorite video editing and motion graphics software being After Effects, they work so well together. Photoshop is another top software for me. Color correcting and modifying images to be more visually pleasing is all part of the job.
What’s your favorite way to stay inspired and keep your creative energy flowing, especially when juggling multiple projects?
Staying inspired is typically natural for me being I get to work in the creative world. There are times where I am STUCK. I try to pull my mind away from the small details and find myself looking for inspiration. I listen to the music playing in the background and I let myself become engulfed in some of my favorite creations. Seeing possibilities makes my creative juices flow. It allows me to see the big picture. It’s great to be mindful of the small details but I don’t want them to stop me from the final product.
Working on multiple projects is always a pleasure. This helps with creativity. If I get stuck on one project I can jump to another. Best part of that is you may draw inspiration from my project to use on another!
Being passionate about music, have you worked on any music-related creative projects? Are there any artists that inspire your work?
Music, one of my first loves. Luckily it has been a huge part of my life. My brother, a phenomenal actor and creative, has starred and directed many short films. This has opened a window for me to get to score those films. Music and art working together is a dream to me. Being a seeker of all genres of music, I have been thrilled to get to create music of all kinds.
My favorite film composer is John Williams. His work on Jurassic Park, E.T., Harry Potter, and Jaws has been an inspiration for me. Music makes the film feel bigger. It feels like a complete piece.
When it comes to musicians, here is a list of my favorites. Brittany Howard, Tyler the Creator, Mac Miller, Rufus Du Sol, Alison Wonderland, Houndmouth, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, and Kid Cudi. If you need a piece of music from each artist I will be more than happy to help!