Tell us about yourself:
I’m a Creative Director based in Washington, D.C. I’m experienced in brand development & identity, design for social media campaigns, design for paid advertisement, and concept-to-launch project management.
I love creating with a target, goal, and audience in mind but I also just love creating dope shit that I care about just because. I’m also self taught.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
When people hear this quote, they often think of TVs, but when I really bunkered down to read the description and to listen to Gil Scott-Heron’s poem, you really absorb that this concept shouldn’t involve a TV at all. It’s about TV and media being used to quiet the masses to make them feel as though there is no need for revolution, even when there is. That notion reminded me of “The Matrix” (I’m a movie person), where people are kept docile by the distractions of life and arbitrary material things. I combined the binary code-esque aesthetic of the matrix with a styled 70s all-black photo of my husband to create this poster. The words the “revolution will not be televised” are contoured and mapped to the subject’s face. Although we know the revolution won’t be televised, it’s within us all. Although red was my assigned color, I thought it was a perfect match regardless to portray the tone and passion of the piece.
Why do you love being creative?
I love the feeling of being able to conceptualize and see something in my head, the spark of an idea, and then be able to bring that idea to the world. I am currently in mission driven work as well so I love being able to create with a purpose when I can.
Tell us about your experiences in the design world…
I feel so blessed to have stumbled upon design and in particular the creative sector I work in. But I also wish that more Black people were able to be encouraged to do this work. We aren’t often encouraged to dream or to imagine because it isn’t closely associated with financial success or survival but we should have the freedom to do this sort of work. The freedom to create and imagine. That’s been so rewarding to me and has led me to my role now as a creative director. Although I’ve found alot of community I do wish when I walked into rooms there were more people that looked like me.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?
We can encourage them to do creative work, we can pay them, and we can recognize and value their expertise. You can build a career on creativity — it’s real and it’s rewarding.
In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?
Pay creatives, pay creatives, pay creatives. Invite them into rooms, listen to their thoughts voices and expression.
