Tell us about yourself:
Leeya Rose Jackson is a Painter, Art Director, Illustrator, Director, and Graphic Designer from Detroit, Mi, and living in Minneapolis, MN. Formerly an Art Director in advertising, at Weiden + Kennedy, Fallon, and Carmichael Lynch, Leeya has created work for Heinz, US Bank, Arby’s, and Rocnation, She runs an illustration shop through her moniker, Leeya Makes Noise, and is the Creative Founder of Noisemakers Design Shop, and has created work the Prince Estate, Amy Aniobi’s Superspecial, Loud Speakers Network x Target, Sony Music, MPR, Adobe x Billie Eilish, Giphy, Adcouncil, and Metro Transit. Her artistic journey began in her youth, selling gel pen tattoos and designing prom dresses, but she was fascinated with astronomy and thought she’d become an astrophysicist until college. She then went on to study painting and printmaking, eventually using those skills years later as an Art Director and Designer. Leeya considers herself a visual storyteller and has also directed short experimental film pieces, music videos, and PSAs. Her maximalist and vibrant work explores the intersections of identity, specifically Blackness, femininity, afro-surrealism, neurodivergence, and queerness.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
For my design I chose to celebrate and center Black Women. In Spike Lee’s film, the backbone/support system of the main character is very much so Black women. While I love the film, the women characters in my opinion kind of serve as just one dimensional figures in the film- there solely to be men’s inspiration. So I chose to turn the phrase into “Do the Right Thing: Protect Black Women, spurred by recent events like the treatment of Megan Thee Stallion in mind. Three Black women’s silhouettes are morphing out of the afropick.
Why do you love being creative?
I love adding vibrancy and beauty to people’s lives. I also love that my creativity can empower my fellow Black femmes.
