Growing up in a small town in Alabama, design was an unknown entity to me. Oddly, I always found myself admiring cover art and layouts in the magazine sections of local grocery stores. As fate would have it, the term "graphic design" was introduced to me via an issue of Teen Vogue. Years later, I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in graphic design—a journey that would take me from the field of Jordan-Hare Stadium to a trading card company outside of Dallas, Texas, and finally to Bristol, Connecticut: the home of ESPN.
"As fate would have it, the term graphic design was introduced to me by an issue of Teen Vogue magazine."
I am from Childersburg, Alabama, where sports are often the only extracurricular activities available. When people ask where I’m from, I usually ask if they know basketball player Gerald Wallace—he’s our town’s claim to fame. I spent most of my childhood playing basketball, which is where my love of sports originated. Back then, I would volunteer to design our class shirts and even produced my senior class video.
Over the years, I have produced a wide variety of work, including social content, recruiting material targeted toward high school athletes, and printed products for a professional trading card company. I enjoy working on social platforms most because they allow you to communicate a message to millions of people with the click of a button.
My proudest accomplishment isn’t a specific design, but rather my social handle and blog, @Trenches_. I started it a few years ago to provide a resource for creatives interested in the sports industry. I often saw beautiful designs online and wondered who was responsible; Trenches provides a place for those designers to come "out of hiding" and connect. I actually met my current Creative Director after he followed the account. Since then, it has connected designers from Nike, the NBA, the NFL, The New York Times, Snapchat, Wired, and more. It is my true claim to fame.
Dealing with rejection has been the biggest struggle of my career. I have applied for dozens of jobs that I didn't get, which at times made me doubt my abilities. However, design is extremely subjective. I had to learn that just because one person dislikes your work, it doesn't mean the work is bad. That realization motivated me to continually expand my skillset; I now make it a point to learn new techniques and programs as often as possible.
"Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard."
My favorite quote is: "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard." I feel this mindset sets me apart. I am willing to work twice as hard as the next designer to stay ahead of the game—even if that means staying late to perfect a design long after everyone else has gone home.
I have often been the only African American in my design classes or at my jobs. It can be isolating, but I’ve had the opportunity to work with great people who make me feel included. Still, it helps to see people who look and speak like you. I would love to see more women and people of color enter the industry.
There is a lack of awareness regarding the importance of design in these communities. The industry can become more accommodating simply by increasing exposure. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power, but one cannot know what they cannot see.
"I am a firm believer that knowledge is power, but one cannot know what they cannot see."
I am currently working on a Super Bowl piece for our Snapchat Discover edition that compares the statistics of the two starting quarterbacks.
I love being a "designer in the trenches," but in the future, I would like to transition into the role of a design influencer, Creative Director, or Producer. I desire the creative control that comes with those positions. Also, I have always dreamed of working at Nike; if I end up there in the next ten years, my life would be complete.
It is not always about what you know, but who you know. The design world can be surprisingly small. Making connections through social media and networking events is vital to getting your foot in the door. You may produce great work, but if no one knows your brand, it is hard to break in. Use social media as a tool to get eyes on your work and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Many Creative Directors—including my own—use social media to find and hire new talent.