Tell us about yourself:
I’m a husband, dad, movie buff and pro wrestling fan, writer and bassist. I also was a Youth Pastor on the south side of Chicago for 9 years.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
The inspiration for my poster was depicting melanin being a resource that can’t be taken away from people of African decent. That black is beautiful.
Why do you love being creative?
Being creative gives me joy in the sense that I bring what was in someones head to reality. The same could be said about my own ideas. Seeing, holding, watching something that was just an idea come alive if fulfilling.
Tell us about your experiences in the design world…
My experience has been people who are black longing for artistic voices like mine and many people who are not black trying to shrink my artistic voice.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?
Black people have to be at every table in the design world and at every level from director to intern. And design should be taught at the middle school level in every school system.
In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?
We start by enabling unfiltered black voices to speak truth through their art and connecting them to other black people in the industry. We also need to connect more aspiring artists to those who have been established.
More Posters
My History is Now by Reggie Perry Jr.
Tell us about yourself:
Multidisciplinary Designer who was a music producer in a former life, pushing for more Blackness in the 3D space.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
We all have a shared history and a timeline. As I was thinking of ideas for the project, I thought about the time machine in MacOS and how it keeps a record of everything from the past until now, so with the phrase “My History is Now,” I wanted to play off that concept.
Why do you love being creative?
Having an idea start in your mind and bring it to life is therapeutic; that is why I do what I do.
Tell us about your experiences in the design world…
I have been able to find some great success in the industry, yet I feel like I am just getting started. It has definitely been a challenge to build momentum, but I found once the ball got rolling things opened up a bit more. I still feel like I am overlooked at time, but I use that as motivation to improve my skills and become more marketable in the marketplace as a Designer.
In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?
I think continuing to support each other is huge. If someone is starting out, give them advice; if someone is further along in their careers, look to include them in opportunities and pay them what they are worth.