“I want to grow your business. I want to grow your brand because we’re all a community.”
Luis Sanchez blends design and purpose, building websites by day, mentoring youth by night.
About
Luis Sanchez wears many hats, but at the heart of everything he does is his love for people. Based in South Carolina, he’s a full-time Youth Director and has started a web and brand design business. His creative journey has had its ups and downs. After studying computer science in Spain, he stumbled upon his passion for digital arts at Horry Georgetown Tech, and since then, he’s been all about helping others express their identity, whether through mentoring or visual design.
During the day, he develops websites, focusing on building relationships rather than just making transactions. “I want to grow your business. I want to grow your brand because we’re all part of the same community,” he explains. On weekends, he puts together youth group programs and makes genuine connections with teens.
Balancing two jobs and a new baby isn’t easy, but Luis keeps his creativity alive by intentionally carving out time to learn and experiment. He’s open about dealing with impostor syndrome, wondering things like, “Can I even make a website?”, but his motivation and support network, which includes trusted professors and friends, have helped him push through self-doubt.
Luis’s journey is one of hard work, purpose, and creativity centered around people. In this episode of Uncharted, he shares how he found a rewarding path later in life, the value of relational business practices, and why he feels at home in South Carolina. Whether you’re diving into a creative career or starting a side hustle, this conversation is a great reminder that true fulfillment comes from pursuing your passions and connecting with your community.
“The more you push yourself out of your comfort zone and out of the box you’re used to, the more confident you get.”
Tori Hord is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. She grew up in Loris, S.C., and earned her bachelors in graphic design at Coastal Carolina University. She continued her graphic design with a Master of Graphic Design M.G.D. at North Carolina State University.
Interview
Transcript
Tori Hord
My name is Tori Hord. I am from Loris, South Carolina, so very close to Coastal [Carolina University], like 30-ish minutes. And I currently teach graphic design at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Emma Plutnicki
So how long have you been working there?
Tori Hord
Seven years.
Emma Plutnicki
Wow. Amazing. And your official job title, would that just be graphic design teacher?
Tori Hord
Associate Professor of Graphic Design.
Emma Plutnicki
Amazing. So how did you get into that? How did you find that job? And how did you just end up in that field overall?
Tori Hord
That’s an interesting, so I started when I started Coastal. I went to undergrad there, I started as a biology major. About a semester or two semesters in, I decided to switch my major to graphic design without telling any of my family and made them all have a small heart attack when they found out.
Emma Plutnicki
Oh my gosh.
Tori Hord
But it’s always something that I’ve loved. So it was a really good change for me. And from there, I just, I was just very passionate about it. And when I graduated, I got a job in the field. And I worked there for a couple years and then decided that I wanted to pursue my masters in graphic design. So I went and got a masters in graphic design from NC State. And then when I graduated from NC State, there were, y’know, lots of applying to jobs, and I landed here in Fayetteville at Methodist University.
Emma Plutnicki
Amazing. So what made you switch from biology to graphic arts? Was it more hating biology? Or was it more a passion for graphic arts?
Tori Hord
It was more passion for sure. Always loved it growing up, but just never considered or thought of it as a turning something I loved into the career. And once I figured out that I could do that, I was like, “Absolutely. Let’s do this.”
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. More fun, probably. So can you walk us through a typical work day? Like, what’s expected of you, what your work process looks like, what kind of things you work on?
Tori Hord
Yes, absolutely. So for me, I think being, teaching design and being a professor, you kind of get the best of both worlds. So my initial attraction to teaching it, you know, other than just loving the subject and wanting to share more was that it has a great schedule. You have time for, you know, it’s a great work life balance for the most part. And that also gives you lots of time to continue to work in the field, which I was adamant about not stopping, I didn’t want to stop my design career to teach, I wanted something that would allow me to do both. And that’s what the shop does, which I love it, you get a great schedule, you get a, you know, it’s a steady, it’s not like you’re freelancing all the time, it’s a steady income. Day to day, it depends on what classes I have offered, but I teach anywhere from two to three, like studio length classes a day. So I’m in the art building, in the studio, working with students. And then when I’m not teaching I’m in my office, you know, doing housekeeping things and preparing and also working on my own work.
Tori Hord
Amazing. So the classes that you teach, are those different levels of graphic designer, or do they have specialties within them?
Tori Hord
Yes, I teach at all levels. So I teach the freshmen their first semester, on up to the seniors in their last semester. And everything in between. So I see a little bit of all of them all the time.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s great. So can you describe a defining moment in your, like, creative journey so far? So maybe it’s a specific project that really showcased your creativity or had a significant impact on you?
Tori Hord
The one, this is ironic, but the one that really comes to mind as being most memorable for me was actually at Coastal at the Athenaeum Press.
Emma Plutnicki
Oh, really?
Tori Hord
Yes, we worked on the Gullah Geechee project. And there was, we traveled out to these different places and took photographs and did interviews and then the project itself won an Addy Award at the end. So it was kind of like a, a quintessential moment for me. I was like, “this is actually going to work. This is neat. We’re getting recognition for work that me and my friends have, you know, kind of poured our hearts into.” So that was a big moment for me.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, I’ve seen that work. It was great. So I’m sure that was a really fun time to work on. So do you think this career path is challenging? What challenges have you faced and how have you been able to kind of overcome those challenges? Because being in a creative career as a whole is pretty challenging, but how have you kind of worked through this?
Tori Hord
It is, I would say it was challenging. And it’s um, it’s like with anything you do, the more you do it, the more you push yourself out of your comfort zone and out of the box that you’re used to, the more confident you get in it. I do remember my first year teaching anything, I was terrified, right? I’m standing up in front of this group of people. And you’re suddenly faced with like, “I know nothing,” right? “I am not qualified to do this, I should not be here. Why did these people give me a job.” But the more you do it, you realize, “okay, I’m equipped, I have the knowledge, I’ve done the education, I have a passion for it.” So for me, it really was just making sure I was getting out of my comfort zone, and putting in the effort… and it was fantastic. But the more I was in those classrooms with the students and got to know them, and saw their excitement for it, everything just came together.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s amazing. So within your specific field, can you think of any skills that you possess that helped you land that role, or any skills that you think an applicant should have to increase their chances of getting that role? I know, like you’re in teaching, so is there any like connection with teaching that you had to help you or was your skill in graphic design, like the driving force to lead you to teaching, or just in general, like any skills that helped you?
Tori Hord
Obviously, to be able to teach art or graphic design or anything, you have to have a certain level of knowledge, but especially for art design, you also have to have a certain level of skill, right, you have to be able to get to that point. So a portfolio is still a big part of this job, even though it’s not a, the focus is not necessarily all design, you know, work all the time, you still have to have a great portfolio, you still have to make sure that you’re paying attention to the detail, because it matters when getting these roles. And I think the other part of it is, is communication, being able to talk about what you want from that job, but also be able to talk about your work in ways that ties it in to people that might not necessarily be in your field. Which is a great skill for designers have anyway, because there’s lots of contact with people outside of the art world. So being able to communicate those ideas and your thoughts and passions to those people is really important, too.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. It’s a very important skill. And so, you studied in South Carolina, and now working in North Carolina. Are there any like organizations or programs or events that you recommend for people who are trying to get into that field? Is there any like conferences you went to that helped you network to figure out, like, gain more connections within the creative world or anything like that in the area?
Tori Hord
Yeah, I’m a big supporter of AIGA [the Professional Association for Design] I’ve been a member of AIGA since I was an undergrad, and continued that. But more so than that, I found a lot of helpful was these kind of like open houses for different schools. So when I was pursuing my master’s or thinking about going to get my graduate degree, I looked into these different kind of open houses, kind of meet and greets. And I met a lot of really great people and lots of great networking opportunities just from doing that. And that had no ties to it. You didn’t have to, no commitments, you’re just kind of going and exploring and learning about what your options are.
Emma Plutnicki
That makes sense. So AIGA, you said?
Tori Hord
Yes.
Emma Plutnicki
What does that stand for, do you know?
Tori Hord
American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Emma Plutnicki
Okay, awesome. I’m sure a lot of people know that. I didn’t know. That’s amazing.
Tori Hord
The chapter here is in Raleigh, the closest one. But a lot of universities have like local student chapters. I know Coastal used to have one, whenever I was there. And we have one here. It’s just a great opportunity for professionals and students to kind of connect.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that’s amazing. So great. Thanks for saying all this. This is such an interesting field. I’m sure you have fun with it every day. But just as we wrap up, do you have any advice for current college students or just people who are looking to get into these fields in creative professions?
Tori Hord
Follow what you’re passionate in. That was a big thing for me. So I went along with, like I said, the biology doing what I thought I was supposed to do, and what, you know, everyone was like, “Oh, you’d be great, at you know, XYZ, you’d be a great doctor, you’d be great at this.” And in the back of my mind, there was always something like, “Maybe but I don’t know that I want it.” And just listening to that little voice, and you know, going after what you do want, regardless of what other people might think which, I mean is, you know, life anyway right?
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. No, that’s great advice. I definitely need to listen to that too.
“Everyone’s got their own journey, and you have to find your way. I would never discourage anyone from a journey in the applied arts or the creative arts if they have the drive and the will to do it. Because that’s the biggest part of it: just being disciplined.”
Marius Valdes is an artist, illustrator, and professor of Studio Art teaching graphic design and illustration at the University of South Carolina. Valdes received his BFA in graphic design from the University of Georgia (UGA) and his MFA in visual communication from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Valdes is originally from Charleston and lives in Columbia.
About
“Being a professional creative is not for the weak of heart,” said Valdes. “You need to be patient and persistent.” He recalled the first time, as a college student, that he told his father he wanted to major in art. “I remember driving with my dad and telling him, ‘I think I’m going to be an art major.’ I was waiting for him to say, ‘What are you thinking?!’ but he just said to me, ‘Well, if you do something that you love, you’ll never really work.’ And I feel like that. I do work, but I work on things I care about. And that, to me, is one of the most important things.”
Valdes didn’t set out to be a university professor. After graduating from the University of Georgia (UGA), he worked as a graphic designer for several years and allowed his creativity to determine his next step.
“I was exploring illustration and enjoying it more than graphic design. I wasn’t very good about talking about my work, and I thought grad school would help with that, as well as allowing me to refocus my work and make myself more marketable,” said Valdes. Valdes earned a scholarship for his MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and part of that scholarship included teaching a class.
“I just loved it,” said Valdes. “I found that even though some of the students were in some ways more talented than I was, I knew more than them because I’d been doing it as a professional, and I really enjoyed it.”
In addition to teaching, Valdes works as an artist creating work for area organizations. “The past couple years I’ve been working with the Medical University of South Carolina children’s hospitals,” said Valdes. “I created some murals for them, created some kids’ activities books for therapists to use, and that’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. One day, a man I work with came up and said, ‘My kid is obsessed with your frog mural. It’s made a real difference.’ So it’s sad because seeing that mural means you have a sick kid, but it’s also rewarding to know it had an impact.”
“The more you push yourself out of your comfort zone and out of the box you’re used to, the more confident you get.”
Tori Hord is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. She grew up in Loris, S.C., and earned her bachelors in graphic design at Coastal Carolina University. She continued her graphic design with a Master of Graphic Design M.G.D. at North Carolina State University.
About
Tori Hord’s path to graphic design was not always clear. She began her studies at Coastal Carolina University as a biology major with thoughts of pursuing a medical career, her family remarked that she would make an excellent doctor. After a couple of semesters, she changed majors without telling anyone, giving them “small heart attacks” when they found out.
Upon switching to graphic design, she went all in, joining the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and working at The Athenaeum Press, Coastal’s student-driven publishing lab. Specifically, she worked on the Gullah: The Voice of an Island with the Athenaeum Press and recalls the joy and excitement of getting recognition for work that she and her friends poured their hearts into — work for which they earned an national American Advertising Award, or ADDY.
Working as a professor is a career path that has allowed Hord to pursue the “best of both worlds.” She enjoys sharing her graphic design expertise with college students as she continues cultivating her own artistic skill. “I didn’t want to stop my design career to allow me to teach,” Hord said, so she leads two to three studio classes per day while carving out time to focus on her own projects as a freelance designer and consultant.
Professor Hord encourages other aspiring graphic designers to join professional groups like AIGA (American Institute for Graphic Arts) and to get some pre-professional experience. Her essential advice for college students is, “Listen to that little voice and go after what you do want, regardless of what other people might think.”
Lauren Rose is a publication designer and the Design Editor at North State Media in Raleigh, NC. With roots in student journalism, she now brings clarity and creativity to print layouts in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
About
Lauren Rose’s love of design began with school projects and scrapbooks, but it took off in the newsroom. As art director for The Chanticleer, the student newspaper at Coastal Carolina University, she found herself juggling creativity with tight deadlines skills she now uses daily as Design Editor at The North State Journal.
Based in Raleigh, NC, Rose handles the design of a weekly print newspaper. Her Sundays are devoted to page layout and collaboration with editors, while the rest of the week focuses on refining and preparing content. “The design changes constantly between issues, and I love that.”
Though her career evolved organically, Rose credits her growth to patience and openness. “Let your ego go and be willing to learn,” she advises. She views design not just as an art, but as a way of organizing information to serve the reader.
Rose encourages other creatives to take chances, embrace mistakes, and explore different media before settling on a path. For her, the magic of design is in the details and the opportunity to keep learning every week.
Lex Stress is the Principal Graphic Designer at Ellucian, a tech company specializing in software for higher education. From Charleston, SC, Stress brings creativity and strategy to every project whether for clients, internal teams, or freelance ventures.
About
Lex Stress didn’t plan to work in tech, but after spotting the Blackbaud headquarters on a daily drive, they decided to apply. That bold move opened the door to a thriving career in design for the tech world.
Today, as Principal Graphic Designer at Ellucian, Stress leads visual direction across digital platforms, email campaigns, and social media. A graduate of Coastal Carolina University, they credit their education for building a solid foundation but it was curiosity, networking, and real-world practice that propelled them forward.
Stress enjoys the dynamic pace of tech and its flexibility. “Once you’re in tech, there’s room to grow,” they say. Their role allows them to blend strategy with creativity, and they also freelance on the side to keep their skills fresh.
They encourage aspiring designers to explore the business side of creative work, and not to underestimate the value of a strong portfolio and clear communication. Their advice? Keep evolving. Keep making. And always be ready to take the next leap.
Robert Taylor is a graphic designer for RallyUp, a tech platform supporting nonprofit fundraising. With over a decade of experience, he blends technical skill with emotional storytelling to design brands and campaigns that inspire.
About
After ten years working in Coastal Carolina University’s student accounts office, Robert Taylor made the leap into full-time design. He started in advertising handling quick-turn print and social media projects before discovering his passion for deeper brand work.
Now with RallyUp, Taylor works remotely on design projects that support nonprofits and charitable campaigns. He loves the combination of design and mission-driven storytelling. “It’s more than just making something look good it has to connect,” he says.
Taylor has worked in both agency and corporate settings, including a stint at WE*DO Worldwide in Asheville, NC, where he dove into full-scale web development and branding. He believes every role taught him something essential especially the value of stepping into the unknown. “Growth happens outside of your comfort zone,” he says.
Taylor encourages other creatives to take chances and chase the work that aligns with their values. He still looks back on his early work to see how far he’s come. It’s a reminder that design is a lifelong craft and every project is part of the journey.
“I sold everything, packed my dogs, and moved to Charleston because I refused to let fear of the unknown stop me. I had to stay creative and find a way to help my community at the same time.”
Tonya Gore, Director of Enhancement and Design, Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance. From artist to urban designer: Tonya Gore’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and rootedness. After a devastating flood hit her hometown, Tonya left behind a two-decade career in graphic design to pursue a new path in Resilient Urban Design. Now serving as Director of Enhancement and Design at the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance, she fuses her artistic background with a deep commitment to community-building, proving that creativity can shape not just art, but entire cities.
Interview
Transcript
Tonya Gore 0:00
My name is Tonya Gore. I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Sara Sobota 0:04
Okay, great. And who do you work for? And from where?
Tonya Gore 0:08
I have worked for Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance, located in Downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Sara Sobota 0:13
Okay, and how long have you been working there? And what is your official job title?
Tonya Gore 0:18
Almost two years. And my official job title is Director of Enhancement and Design.
Sara Sobota 0:24
Okay. How did you end up in this field? And how did you hear about it? Long story, I guess.
Tonya Gore 0:30
It’s a long story because my creative field actually started after I left Coastal Carolina University. And I did an internship, I do not know if you knew this, Sara, but my degree is actually in fine arts.
Sara Sobota 0:46
Oh, I didn’t know that.
Tonya Gore 0:47
So, I went to Coastal, graduated in 2000, in Fine Art. And the program just sorts of introduced graphic design to the program. They had one computer lab, and Max just started.
And so, it was suggested that we go and get internships if we want to make a career out of graphics. So, I found an internship with a local, local small advertising agency working on the beach ball class.
Sara Sobota 1:12
I did not know any of that, that is awesome.
Tonya Gore 1:15
That is so mild in the fine artists, I just have not done a lot of fine art. A lot of my background that I have done, or fine art pieces with some watercolor and some oils. So, their position is all throughout my family’s house. I worked at the fish that did an internship, I finished that she hired me full time. I stayed there for a few years.
So, my full career for almost 20 years was in graphic design. And I simultaneously I worked as a adjunct in digital arts at Horry Georgetown.
Sara Sobota 1:49
Oh, I didn’t know that either.
Tonya Gore 1:50
I did that for almost 10 years, like eight years, to be exact. And I also worked in the community a lot. I wanted to find a career that can work because I’ve always wanted to stay creative. I’ve always said I would never get out of a creative field. I wanted to do something that had some creativity in it.
So, I did soul searching, I wanted to do something with the community that combined my creative field as well. And I found the program and went back to school, to Clemson in the master’s program for urban design degree.
Sara Sobota 2:20
Okay.
Tonya Gore 2:21
So, it’s a Resilient Urban Design degree because of my family, my family’s from Nichols, and my mom’s family from Nichols, South Carolina. And a few years ago, Nichols was one of the areas that went through a 100-year flood. And my family lost everything. And then two years later, the same thing happened. I had an eighty-something-year-old aunt that lost everything that could not be rebuilt. She was too old, she, you know, and it was the most devastating thing to me.
So, I said, well, let me see what I can do, still wanting to be creative, but also wanting to go back into the community as well. So, I found out what had happened. So, Clemson just started a program called Resilient Urban Resilience and Urban Design that focuses on being resilient communities. And I did that, I quit all my jobs, almost 20 years.
Sara Sobota 3:10
Wow.
Tonya Gore 3:11
And I went back to college to do this, again, still wanting to stay creative, because I knew I could not do anything that is not creative, because that will drive me crazy. And I did that. finish that up. It was a yearlong accelerated program for one year. And I found my first job designing streets urban design or for an engineering firm.
Sara Sobota 3:34
Okay.
Tonya Gore 3:35
So, while I was there, I used to attend an institute they had every once a month, they had a coffee with ULI [Urban Land Institute], and they did speakers, and the President of the ULI was Amy Barrett.
Sara Sobota 3:51
Okay, I’m sorry. Well, ULI is urban…
Tonya Gore 3:53
Urban Land Institute.
Sara Sobota 3:54
Land Institute, okay.
Tonya Gore 3:54
Urban Land Institute.
Sara Sobota 3:57
And that was here, or was that in Clemson?
Tonya Gore 3:58
It was in Charleston when I was in school.
Sara Sobota 4:01
Okay.
Tonya Gore 4:01
It was in Charleston and Amy was the, Amy was the president. So, one of my classmates’ texts, and she texts all of us and let us know that Amy took a job with Myrtle Beach, downtown Lyons. And she knew I was local. She knows I have my creative career. And she also knew I had my design background. So, she offered me a job here to combine them all. So that’s how I get with the title and with this job is a long circle, but it is full circle,
Sara Sobota 4:32
Wow, and so many accomplishments along the way, and so many ways. Yeah, that’s amazing. Now, the resiliency in urban design, I thought you said it was Clemson, but it was in Charleston?
Tonya Gore 4:46
Charleston, Clemson has a study of full remotes, what do you call it, a remote branch or class, and most branches. It is on East Bay Street, and it’s at the cigar factory. The full Second floor to Cigar Factory is three different programs as architecture, they have a choice to go to Charleston or go to Italy, the historical preservation. They are for two years, and the Urban Design Program share the second floor at the cigar factory floor Clemson. Okay. And it is a one-year program. So, that’s how I ended up in a job.
Sara Sobota 5:23
That’s amazing. Okay, great. The next question is, what background did you have that helped you land that role? I think you kind of walked through that a little bit, right? Yeah. Motivation and your background? Can you walk us through a typical workday? Is there one?
Tonya Gore 5:41
Okay, we sit all over the place with this because right now, if I had my interns on a Monday, my interns come in. Okay, it’s three interns, digital arts, and we are. My project is the brand in the wayfinding element for downtown. Okay, so we start at nine, I meet with them, we go over their previous week’s work to make sure they are on the path of what I’m asking them to do.
Sara Sobota 6:08
Yeah.
Tonya Gore 6:08
And that’s until 10 o’clock, we have staff, from 10 to 11:30. Most of the time, our staff through our weekly projects, we have one on at about 11:30, then I go make sure the interns, okay, and I start, you know, what’s the easiest first, sorry, because I do plan events as well. So, right now we’re planning all of our events for Nights of Nance. So, I had to get all the bands lined up there.
And then when I finished that, then I’ll go back to my pendant and wayfinding and make sure that I give them something to do, or make sure all my input meeting and they need Pantone colors, and making sure their Pantone colors is exactly correct what they need to use it. When they send in vows.
I double check and make sure all their files, because I work in Adobe programs, make sure their files are situated. Then, once I finish that, I’ll go check and see if any of the businesses, like a couple of businesses, have an event this weekend. There is a Pride event this weekend. I’m making sure he’s okay. He has all of his elements to make sure. Then I finished that. Now, I’m working on a schedule because we’re going to activate the space in the pocket park.
So, I want to make sure you know we have to have a schedule for the whole year, in trying to come up with ideas for the whole year. So today, I was researching other people’s websites to see some ideas. So far, we went to yoga and went to a farmers’ market. One, trying to get Jason about our bench, but it’s not. We wanted it with Bistro lights, so, two functions. So, and now today, we had to walk from downtown.
Sara Sobota 5:42
Okay.
Tonya Gore 5:58
So, that usually stops around 5:00 or 5:30. But I normally do not finish all my lifts throughout the day. As long as I’m finished, because I go back and forth doing multiple things and things like that.
Sara Sobota 8:05
Yeah. Well, let’s talk. A big picture of your job. You are ah, I mean you are in a way of building. You are building a city. I mean, you are crafting. It is kind of an upgrade, but not really. I mean, your kind of building from the ground up. Right?
Tonya Gore 8:23
Right, right, right. I, I call it my, my version of it, is an empty canvas.
Sara Sobota 8:23
Okay, yeah.
Tonya Gore 8:31
That is what I may have done when I first started out, so we had an empty canvas to play with. Just, I don’t because I am in such a love of historical buildings. I don’t like tearing down, I like building on what you have already.
Sara Sobota 8:45
Tell me, just in your words, although I know the mission statement of MBDA, what is it? What is it doing?
Tonya Gore 8:51
From my perspective or just…
Sara Sobota 8:51
The whole organization, the whole organization.
Tonya Gore 8:52
We’re pretty much a place management organization.
Sara Sobota 8:59
Okay.
Tonya Gore 8:59
So, our task is to help with redevelopment, partnering with the city of Myrtle Beach redevelopment, activate spaces, bring people downtown, host events, sponsoring events, make sure people are coming downtown, and to help it revitalize, to make it a walkable community for all.
Sara Sobota 9:17
Okay, okay, awesome. Can you describe a defining moment in your creative journey? Could it be a project that made an impact on you or something you produced? You know, in my opinion, it could even be a decision you made but a defining moment in your creative journey.
Tonya Gore 9:35
The entire time?
Sara Sobota 9:36
You’re defining yourself.
Tonya Gore 9:37
I think, my defining moment is when, I was talking about with my family, the impact and the impact that had on my family and my community because of Vietnam. I was born and raised here. Let me think of a specific one outside of the flood. It was 2017, or something like that. Yeah, I think that is what was close to the research on that with that.
Sara Sobota 9:59
Was it Mathew?
Tonya Gore 10:01
I’m not sure, probably, it was two back-to-back.
Sara Sobota 10:01
Yep, yep.
Tonya Gore 10:04
Matthew, maybe Floyd, Matthew, maybe Floyd, back-to-back. It’s two years apart.
Sara Sobota 10:08
Okay.
Tonya Gore 10:09
Let me think, what was the defining moment in my career? That made me think about my career in a different way? or just…
Sara Sobota 10:18
Or that when you, when you produced it, you went, wow, look at what I can do.
Tonya Gore 10:22
Let me think. My last job, I did a lot of mentoring for cities.
Sara Sobota 10:22
Okay.
Tonya Gore 10:29
For a street, that, when it’s revitalized, the street with it was more of a street design, not buildings. So, add bike lanes, to add types of parking, some medians, some roundabouts, and you will take a picture of the street the way it is. And then I would add all the elements to the street, and sometimes even now when I look back, I’m like, Whoa, wow. Like, who did this? I amazed myself with that, because I took something that didn’t look like anything.
And I produce something that looks, you know, a rendering that people can associate with how they want the community to vote. So, I hope to take that skill and pass it on to what I’m doing now. Where I am working with that.
Sara Sobota 11:20
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And when you know about your job, you can go see what you’ve done. I mean, it’s their people who use it. Oh, that’s amazing.
Tonya Gore 11:30
Yeah, yeah.
Sara Sobota 11:32
Was it challenging for you to find this career path? Or what are some challenges that you faced, or even every day, your challenges now, whatever.
Tonya Gore 11:40
What challenge made me stop 20 years of graphic design that, when I was teaching, I saw a lot of talented young artists coming through, and I realized that they are also there, the market value for them increased. Even though I had more experience, I did not keep up with my, my skill, my craft. Meaning they knew how to write programs; they kept up with developing websites. And I did not keep up with that element.
So, that was a real challenge for me. Because I felt like, okay, if I want to be more marketable, the kids coming out of high school know a little bit more than I do right now. So, I need to think about, that was the hardest challenge about my career, that I’ve still found, I don’t find it as challenging now, as I did then.
So that was another reason why I felt like I needed to gain more just saying, and, again, every time I say I’m utilizing this to go back into my community as well.
Sara Sobota 11:40
Yeah.
Tonya Gore 12:15
So, so that was a challenge, that was like an eye-opening experience for me because, younger generation is so much more technically advanced than I was.
Sara Sobota 13:03
Yeah, yep. I think a lot of people agree with that. Can you recommend any specific skills that an aspiring applicant should have to increase their chances of landing a role in your field? Specific skills.
Tonya Gore 13:18
Specific skill in my career, when I’m doing now. It helps that I have graphic skills, but I think my knowledge base might be a little bit more valuable than my…. The skill is valuable, but it also could be taught. Knowledge from my experience over the years cannot be taught. So, I think that when you enter a career, value those around you will have the experience.
Sara Sobota 13:48
That’s smart. That’s absolutely true. Yeah. Okay. Great. Are there any local organizations programs or events that you recommend for aspiring creatives?
Tonya Gore 14:00
Art is so subjective when it comes to creating, so I don’t think that there’s any kind of like event or any kind of like program that, that can teach you that because, I don’t feel like art can be bad, because it’s subjective, but I would I would if I had to think of a skill that you would learn, I think technology is changing so much that it will be in your best interests if you took some classes to enhance your skill level.
Tonya Gore 14:29
Rather it be the Adobe programs, or if you want it to because this career, finding that, you know, when I was doing my, not graphics, but doing my urban design portion, my graphics laid so heavily, but I also gained knowledge in more skills as well like architectural skills far as AutoCAD, 3D programs.
So I would think that if you had to learn, I would brush up on this skill level when it comes to technology and take as many classes, or go to any seminars or any type of podcast that you can, to brush up on that and stay up to date with it. I never let my; even though I don’t technically, I’m not technically a graphic designer anymore.
I always keep my skills up to date. I have never gotten rid of my programs. I always kept my programs and stayed in them. I made sure I brought laptops that I could use to program because I’m from the old school generation, but my father taught me if you always have a skill, you’ll always have a job. So, I kept my skills, and I always kept my skills up.
Sara Sobota 15:37
Yeah, and that is important and hard right now, I think.
Okay, do you have advice for current college students or pre-professional young adults who are pursuing a career in the creative world?
Tonya Gore 15:51
You don’t know everything. Just because you have an education does not mean you know everything. You do not know everything. Sometimes, people who do not hold a career, the degree, have more knowledge than you do. Listen, willing to learn and be patient. It will come.
“I actually got turned down twice when I applied to medical illustration school. I took time off, reassessed, and just drew and drew. When I finally got in, I was excited, and I have been doing this ever since.”
Rick Sargent is a professor of art at The Citadel, where he teaches drawing, painting, animation, and illustration. He is also a seasoned freelance medical illustrator specializing in medical-legal illustration. A native of Columbus, Georgia, now based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Sargent holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Medical Illustration from the Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University).
Interview
Transcript
Rick Sargent 00:00 I am Rick Sargent. I’m originally from Georgia, Middle Georgia, a smallish, mid-sized town called Columbus, Georgia. And right now, I currently reside in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Sara Sobota 00:12 What do you do for work? And where are you working from right now?
Rick Sargent 00:16 I am primarily a college professor at The Citadel, and I teach art. I teach drawing, painting, animation, and illustration. What makes me suitable for that is my other career. My other gig which is being a medical illustrator. When I’m teaching, obviously it’s in person, not online. As a medical illustrator, I work from home.
Sara Sobota 00:43 Okay, next question. How long have you been working there, and what is your official job title? You have two of each of those?
Rick Sargent 00:50 I do, yeah. I’ve been at The Citadel for 10 years. I have been a medical illustrator for 22 years.
Sara Sobota 00:59 Okay, wow. How did you end up in the field? We kind of went over that already, but if you could just give us a recap?
Rick Sargent 01:06 Yeah, absolutely. So, I ended up becoming a medical illustrator from the inspiration and advice I had from my high school art teacher, who knew a medical illustrator and thought I would be a good fit.
I changed my major at the University of Georgia, earned an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, and then went on to get a Master of Science degree in Medical Illustration. From there, I started practicing medical illustration in New Jersey, came down to South Carolina, and had a colleague who was teaching at another school who turned me on to the idea of teaching. He eventually left the program, and I took over his role and fell in love with teaching. I have been a teacher ever since.
Sara Sobota 02:08 Wow, that’s great. So, your graduate degree was an M.S. in Medical Illustration?
Rick Sargent 02:15 Correct.
Sara Sobota 02:16 Wow, that’s fantastic. You don’t often hear or see that.
Rick Sargent 02:21 Yeah. Different programs offer different degrees. Some, like Johns Hopkins, offer a Master of Arts program. At the Medical College of Georgia now Augusta University they wanted to provide a stronger scientific foundation, so they offered a Master of Science degree while teaching the arts.
Sara Sobota 02:49 Forgive me, I don’t know what’s the Medical College of Georgia’s name now?
Rick Sargent 02:56 It is now Augusta University.
Sara Sobota 03:00 Oh, I didn’t know that.
Rick Sargent 03:01 It changed maybe five years ago. It used to be Georgia Regents University, but they were absorbed into Augusta University.
Sara Sobota 03:10 Got it. What background helped you land your roles?
Rick Sargent 03:16 Yeah, for sure. For being a professor, it was a real-world experience plus having a master’s degree, which is the terminal degree for medical illustration, since there is no Ph.D. in the field.
Sara Sobota 03:34 Are there any medical illustration programs in South Carolina?
Rick Sargent 03:40 There are not.
Sara Sobota 03:40 So you need to go to another state?
Rick Sargent 03:46 Yes. There are about six schools across the country offering a master’s degree program. Some, like Rochester Institute of Technology, offer a bachelor’s degree in medical illustration.
Sara Sobota 04:01 Can you walk us through a typical workday? What’s your process and what’s expected?
Rick Sargent 04:08 Sure. I’ll focus on the medical illustration side. I specialize in what’s called medical-legal illustration. I work for attorneys who need to explain in layman’s terms and visually what happened in an accident or a procedure.
A typical day involves reviewing operative reports and radiology films, then making a proposal on the best way to present their case. That gets reviewed by a medical expert. We usually schedule Zoom meetings to clarify the case, and once I have the supporting materials, I begin creating the illustrations.
Sara Sobota 05:04 Wow, you are blending law, medicine, and art.
Rick Sargent 05:08 I’m telling you, it’s all over.
Sara Sobota 05:10 That’s amazing.
Rick Sargent 05:12 Yeah.
Sara Sobota 05:14 That is awesome. Can you describe a defining moment in your creative journey, something that had a significant impact on you, or something you produced that really showcased your creativity?
Rick Sargent 05:27 I will say, medical illustration-wise. Yeah, there was a defining moment; I was the senior medical illustrator at Houston Sports Medicine Orthopedic Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. And there was a conference coming up, where a surgeon wanted to display a new surgery technique. And he was; this was back in 2002. Um, 2003, time. And he was cutting edge. And even in technology as far as visual communication. And so, he was really pushing the department to move to 3D. While we were just scratching the surface of that, a lot of stuff that we did was in Photoshop. Every now and then, we would dip into After Effects and things like that to make things move for animation.
And so, in a very quick turnaround, he bought the software for 3D, told me to learn it, and created an animation of his procedure. So, we had a roughly three-week turnaround time, from start to finish, of storyboarding of creating the models and rendering to get ready for his presentation at his conference. And we actually won an award for it. It was, it was insane. It was long nights spent. I slept there over the weekend trying to create something. But it’s well worth it. And I think he is still using some of the components of it.
Sara Sobota 06:37 That’s amazing. So, when you say “we,” who was on the team? Was it just you and him or?
Rick Sargent 07:19 It was me and him as; we had another medical illustrator on staff, who was helping to kind of give art direction to it. Since she was more, publications. But she was definitely lending a hand to the process. We had all hands-on deck, so to speak, right?
Sara Sobota 07:39 That’s amazing. Was it for you to find this career path? Or to figure out how to apply your background to this task? We talked about that.
Rick Sargent 07:49 Definitely a challenge, for sure. And I definitely wrestled with, could I make a career, I’m just gonna go with medical illustration, like, it was definitely challenged to say that I was going to be a medical illustrator. I actually got turned down, twice, to apply to the school. And so, with my portfolio I just kept, I was more kind of not really, I was a little bit wishy-washy, at least on the second round, because I was debating on this career or this career. And I was like, well, I’ll just submit my application.
And then I took a year off. And that kind of sat down, reassessed where I was going, and what I needed to do, and I think, really put the nose to the grindstone and just drew and drew and drew and drew, you know, everything that they wanted for the portfolio, took their advice from the previous portfolio, and it’s like, Alright, I’m going to, I’m gonna hit this hard, you know. And then, when I finally got in, I was pretty excited.
Sara Sobota 08:50 Yeah, that’s amazing. Great. Can you recommend any specific skills that an aspiring applicant should have to increase their chances of landing a role in your field?
Rick Sargent 09:04 I know that, obviously, rendering and the timeless skills are line, shape, accuracy, value, accuracy, being able to communicate visually, and being confident and effective about the way that you communicate with line and value. That is something that, hands down, digital or non-digital, you have to know.
So, but I know that, you know, AI is coming up and you know, or people say, is that going to replace, you know, illustration and things like that, and then relying on generative AI, things inside of software such as Adobe Photoshop, which we use a ton. That software only gets you so far, and that reliability on that can only get you to a certain level.
So, I would say you need to; don’t rely on those things. You can use them as tools, but you’re making case specific and what’s going to make you relevant is that you can be case specific, and not generic and not rely on things like AI, or generative art that’s going to make you seem more clip art and non-relevant.
So, I would say, keep being creative, I would say, keep up your draftsmanship skills and your ability to learn how contrast of how atmospheric perspective communicates and makes a hierarchy. That will be the most important skill that I would recommend.
Sara Sobota 10:30 Okay, great. Okay. Are there any local organizations, programs, or events that you recommend for aspiring creatives in South Carolina?
Rick Sargent 10:41 In South Carolina, I would say, you know, Piccolo Spoleto, getting involved in getting your artwork out there as much as possible. Being involved in art and art competitions, I found it really useful. I won the Cooper River Bridge run poster design contest, you know, way back when, and just getting involved in competitions, like those sort of things, even though the Cooper River Bridge one, wasn’t medical illustration at all, you know, but it’s designed, and it got my name out there. It gave me a little bit of, you know, clout. As I approach and talk about design, they are like, well, what did you do? And I say, well, here is this or people recognize my name from certain things.
And I have always been a proponent of just finding any competition that interests you make stuff and find ways to get into it. You get connected to more artists that way, that, oh, I saw your work and filled in the blanks, right? And so, design organizations, graphic design organizations, I would be a part of or try to connect with. There is the Association of Medical Illustrators, as far as my own career that I am a part of, I would connect with them, you know, follow them online, look at their stuff on Instagram. See what is happening? What are hot topics? And learning those topics? The research know, is it on your own?
Sara Sobota 12:10 One more aside, have you ever been to Artfield’s?
Rick Sargent 12:16 I have never been to art fields. I know, stop. I know, I know. It’s my own fault. It’s my own fault. Some of that, I’ve submitted fine artwork to art fields that were not accepted. It is one of my goals to have a piece that is accepted that way; a lot of my stuff is more illustration-based rather than pushing the envelope of art.
I’ve had friends; one of my best friends here, who is a painter, you know, got in several years ago, and just spoke highly of that and loved it. And I want to take my kids there; they are now traveling at an age where we can do that sort of thing. And so, yes, it is my own fault. But I want to be part of that.
Sara Sobota 12:59 I only ask because I’m so proud of that gem for our state.
Rick Sargent 13:04 It’s amazing. Really incredible.
Sara Sobota 13:07 It’s really nice to have you here. Do you have any advice for current college students or pre-professional creatives?
Rick Sargent 13:18 Yes, I do. I would say there are two main schools of thought for creatives currently. Number one is that you find your thing and do it really, really well. It seems more of a single focus. And so, I would, I would say, it’s easy to get distracted from social, in social media, and discouraged and say, well, I’m not that person, and then just quit what you’re doing. I would say, first and foremost, find, figure out what you like, and figure out what you want to do. And what gives you energy, what feeds your creativity, and do that thing and keep going at it. It is discipline. And so focus on that. And just keep going, keep going, keep going.
Rick Sargent 14:09
Draw, sketch. If you are a fanatic about birds. How can you communicate, birds, and do it over and over and over and over and over and over again? The thing is, to not resist the temptation to have diversity. So, are you an acrylic painter? Are you an oil painter? Are you a sculptor? Do you have a creative inkling to move into other realms? Don’t limit yourself.
So, I know it seems like a little bit of a disconnect or contract or I’m contradicting myself a little bit. But at the same time, man, there’s some really cool stuff that you can be involved in, and you’re never going to know that if you follow this little track of creativity it’s going to come back to that other bit that you were just passionate about or like oh, wow, now I see these connections.
I’ve had so many things that have strangely connected me and developed my artwork. You name it. sand sculpting, you know, like what? Sure, you know, like sculpting has helped me become a better draw or like a better illustrator, like learning in depth and plains of the face as maybe a better portrait painter by becoming better by sculpting like things that you would never think that could be connected somehow gets connected.
So, if there’s something doesn’t ignore things that give you fire as far as a creative like, Man, that is so interesting. pursue it, learn about it, and figure some things out because it may come back to bless your drawing, so to speak, or enhance your drawing, so to speak, or enhance your other part of your creativity.
Sara Sobota 15:45 Yeah, fantastic. Well, that’s all the questions that I have for my interview; you have given me so much; I really appreciate it and your input, I know it will really be helpful to the students. And there is also a few other things that we might have gone on with creative careers in the future. So, is it okay if I reach out to you again if anything comes up?
Rick Sargent 16:06 Yes, absolutely. Yes. Okay, well, I love talking about this stuff. I love meeting other medical illustrators or other illustrators or aspiring medical illustrators. For you know, Zoom calls, I’ve had text, Zoom calls, coffee, you know, with people who are interested in this. So, either that or any sort of creative, please let me know.
Sara Sobota 16:28 Okay, that sounds great.
Rick Sargent 16:29 Yeah.
Sara Sobota 16:30 Thank you for your time!
Rick Sargent 16:31 You’re welcome, Sara. Nice to meet you.
Lauren Rose is a publication designer and the Design Editor at North State Media in Raleigh, NC. With roots in student journalism, she now brings clarity and creativity to print layouts in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
Interview
Transcript
Lauren Rose
My name is Lauren Rose. Currently I am a publication designer, and I’m from Longs, South Carolina. I’m right outside Loris, a small unincorporated area. So I usually say Loris so people know.
Emma Plutnicki
And you’re, you’re from there? Or are you currently working there?
Lauren Rose
Oh, yeah, yeah. So yep, I was born and raised in that area and lived there until I was 22. And then I got, I graduated college and got my job. Pretty much three months out of college, I was very lucky and just moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. So I’m just up the state a little bit ahead, or above. But yeah.
Emma Plutnicki
Okay, so what exactly do you do for work? What’s your official title? And how long have you been working there?
Lauren Rose
So my official title today is Design Editor. I am basically in charge of all the design at a publishing company in North Carolina, North State Media, I’ve worked with them for, oof, 2016. So going on eight years, actually, March 1 will be eight years, I joined. So when I started, it was just one newspaper, I joined from the second issue. And I’ve been on every single issue since. Now, we have grown from one newspaper to seven newspapers. We do a statewide paper, and then we do local county papers. So when I was hired, I was just hired as a graphic designer, one of a few people, just putting words on the page. And since then, it has evolved into being in charge of the design and the direction of that for the paper. So it’s been, it’s been a lot, a lot of growth, but I’m very grateful for where I’m at right now.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. So you started as a graphic designer. How did you end up in that field? And how did you end up with your job now and kind of transition from graphic designer to now?
Lauren Rose
Yeah, so the field, it really started in high school, funny enough. I’ve always been into art. And even before high school, like as a kid, like, I love the art sets and just being creative. And going into high school, I was introduced to graphic design, digital photography, and for me that, like, it really combined my artistic side with, I also am a more analytical person. I like numbers, you know, very logic based. So graphic design to me was like a perfect mix. It was important to me if I was going to pursue this as a career that I do have some element of passion in it, I want to enjoy it. So through high school, I would do little, like, side gigs for people, flyers and all that. And then going into school, I didn’t really know what type of design I wanted to do. You know, there’s publication, there’s logo, branding, all of that. I think it was just kind of a series of events, I ended up applying to be the art director of the Chanticleer [the school newspaper]. And I was the art director for a year and a half. I was very proud. It really solidified my love of design, but then, newspaper, which is very interesting, because we think of paper newspapers, very dated and dying, like print instead. But it’s just, it’s been very interesting working in the industry, and just kind of, just kind of a series of events happened. And I happened to enjoy the journey along the way.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, I love that. So right now, what does your typical workday look like? What’s expected of you? What do you work on on a daily basis? What’s kind of your process?
Lauren Rose
So this is, this is gonna be fun to talk about, because my work week is not a typical nine to five at all. A lot of creative careers will probably, some won’t be like that, you know, I’m sure there are plenty of design firms with a nine to five, but a lot of my like, co workers and my peers, they’re up at all hours of the night. They work, they don’t work during the week, and then they work on the weekend, you know. So right now we’re weekly, we publish weekly. So the majority of my work happens Sunday through Tuesday on any given week. So I’ve really learned to be like flexible and it’s difficult to describe because it is so like fast pace, kind of like so during the week it, like, slows down and then I’ll do like your basic housekeeping, make new templates, maybe explore new design ideas. And then once Sunday hits, and I do work on the weekend, which is fine, but just on Sunday, but around Sunday is when I start getting all the content and the writers get their stuff in, the photographers get their stuff in. So I need to start formulating how I’m gonna lay this paper out. I, along with being the designer, I also work very closely with editors. They appreciate my input not only artistically, but with an editorial work, the design is as important as the content a lot of times so. So yeah, it is, it’s kind of like, it’s hard to describe, because it’s just so up and down. But we get it done every week somehow. And I think a lot of people can relate in this industry.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. On a specific project that you worked on, that you were like extremely passionate about, or like a defining moment in your creative journey, it could be a specific project that had a significant impact on you, or just something that really showcased your creativity?
Lauren Rose
So, probably when I was at Coastal [Carolina University], my favorite part about Coastal’s design department was the freedom you had. Like, of course, they had projects and guidelines, but they really encouraged you to do what you want, like, take this theory and make it work for you. So I did a few projects there that I was super proud of with the Athenaeum Press. I worked on Gullah: The Voice of an Island. I was very, very excited to work on that. We went to St. Helena, I did photography, I did some web design, even though it’s not necessarily my forte now, but very, very proud of that one. And I’m still good friends with Jen and Alli, and I see all the updates. And it just makes me happy to kind of see that as just kind of still existing. But that’s the one I tell everyone about I think kind of both in my professional career and just my colleagues, I always bring that up because it was like my first big project, but also one I had a lot of passion for. So.
Emma Plutnicki
I love that. Just in general, do you find your career challenging? How do you kind of bridge the challenges that you face, especially in a creative career?
Lauren Rose
Yes. I think in any career where you are engaged and growing, it’s going to be challenging at points. And I think that’s how I get through those challenging points. I really try to frame it as, you know, this isn’t a problem. This isn’t a struggle. It’s a way to test myself and adapt myself. I’m going to use last year as an example. We probably doubled company size last year alone, and we went from a small company to a midsize one. And that doesn’t sound like a lot. But you know, when you’re in a small startup, it’s changes. And there were some times last year I was like, “I’m quitting, I’m living in the woods. I’m not doing this, like it’s done, I’m done.” And, you know, what really just pushed me through was, let’s be realistic, we have bills, we have bills to pay, but again, like coming out with more knowledge. And I told myself today, like, if I had to redo it, I would be able to do it 10 times better, I would, I would have a better system. So the challenges aren’t there to keep you down. I kind of look at it as a way to grow. And I know that might sound a little cliche, but it is so applicable. And I find myself like thinking about these cliches that I’ve heard and I’m like, “You know what, they’re cliches, they’re for a reason, you know, like, they’re applicable. So.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. And in your work, are there any specific skills that you have that you find particularly important to have? Or can you recommend any special skills that someone applying for a job should have in their kind of toolbox to increase their chances of landing a field, er, landing a role in a creative field?
Lauren Rose
I think one of the biggest things that you can showcase to make yourself solidify your part at a company or within your coworkers, is going to be adaptability. Definitely being adaptable, and being open to different perceptions of things, especially in a creative field because you’re going to meet with clients who you’re like, “This is, my design, professors would kill me if they saw, like, what these people want,” you know, but you’re, it’s kind of like, that adaptability, that overcoming those challenges and letting them help you grow. And just being kind of, letting the ego go, like go into a job, willing to learn, willing to mess up and know that like you’re not being judged. I think more employers and co-workers appreciate someone who can say, “Yeah, you know what, I’m wrong. You’re right. Let’s go this direction.” And then, you know, you learn something along the way.
Lauren Rose
A few weeks ago, I had, I was designing an ad for an advertiser, and they were being very, very specific with their instructions. And it almost felt overbearing, and you know, I let myself, I was getting frustrated. I was like, oh, like, “design it yourself, blah, blah” in my head. And at the end of it, all their suggestions looked great and I was like, “You know what? They were right,” you know. I, learned something today, and I can implement it now. So, a lot of just being humble, kind of.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, that makes sense.
Lauren Rose
And I guess that’s more of a soft skill. I mean, obviously, you want to have technical skills, but I think that’s maybe not so much a skill, but a mindset also.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah. And so you grew up in South Carolina, but you are now in North Carolina. Do you have any, like local organizations, programs or events that are either in South Carolina or North Carolina that have kind of helped you grow, either network or just helped inform you about creative fields?
Lauren Rose
This one was very specific to me. My high school art teacher, of course, you know. She was kind of my first line, to finding out about these things, being aware of these things, even knowing to look for these things. And just the fact that, you know, as my teacher, she was so accessible. And, you know, when she found out how passionate I was about things, and how serious I was about art, and pursuing it, like, you know, that gave her a directive to help me and, you know, really utilizing people and counselors at my high school. So that was probably my first way in. I definitely also entered a few small like little county fairs just to kind of get experience getting work out there, and just networking. And honestly, also in high school, I won the congressional art award for my district. And so my art like was in Washington DC for a while. And I just think little things like that helped, obviously, kind of get my name, get some stuff behind my name, but also, like, helped me realize, like, “Yeah, I’m an artist,” like people are looking at my work.
Lauren Rose
So there’s really not like one organization I can suggest. I think I would honestly suggest, especially in today’s age, it’s so different, because like, you can go on Facebook and Google or search like anything, and there’s groups for anything. So some of my advice might be a little outdated, but I just think like, the importance of kind of starting small, and not like shooting for the biggest, like the country wide competition, do your county, you know, do little things and, and then expose yourself. And then yeah, I think it’s all about growth.
Emma Plutnicki
Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. And so, just as we wrap up, do you have any advice for someone who is looking to break into a field, whether it’s a current college student or high school student who’s looking to get into a creative field, any advice?
Lauren Rose
It’s so hard, because there’s so many different types of creative fields. So I think if I had to just, like, generally approach it, I would just say, you know, you know, it is a job, it’s a means to an end, but you need to have some passionate about it, and you need to be interested in it. And you also need to think about, do I want to do this every day for 50 years? Like, is this something like, you know, there’s a lot of factors to that and it’s very individualized.
