Lizzy Joelson

Graphic Designer / Illustrator / Art Director

Echo Park, CA

WHAT DO YOU DO?

“Simply put, I am a graphic designer.”

This means a lot of things to me. I like to say my specialty is in hand-drawn creations that I implement into different layouts and purposes. I love the imperfectness of the hand-drawn look, especially when it's in contrast with a minimal clean aesthetic. I like to have fun in my work, a little silliness within structure. And I go crazy over a crazy color scheme.

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

Honestly, my curiosity for all this visually appealing and being a kind person. I studied Art and Architecture History in college. I draw and experiment with colors on the side. I like to be crafty and try new things. I'll listen to new music or engage with a different person. I'll take a class or a workshop to expand my mind and meet new people. It pays to be friendly and passionate!

FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?

Confidence! Be confident in yourself and who you are and what you make. I see a lot of women being shy about their creativity (myself included). No matter what, when it's authentic and comes from your heart, it's amazing. Oh and, being loyal to your word. Respecting people's time goes a long way. Communication of needs and expectations, keeps everyone organized and happy.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

I am studying to become an Art Teacher. And creatively, I am exploring marbling, warped art, and neon art. I am really into video animations right now as well. Video is hitting us hard, and the potential is so vast! I am really excited to art exploring this further. Right now I am creating documentation about the neon signs on Ventura Blvd (Valley Girl), I am eager to see how it's going to develop.

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?

I love the 60's and 70's. I love pin-up girls. And I love horror films. I am really into vintage comic books and movie posters. I have been exploring what that means, how to refine it and make the kitschy more elegant.

WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?

I would really love to focus more on animation. I really think it would take my work to the next level. Bucket List 2016.

WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?

Printing. Printing is a burden! Made that's because half of my life is digital. But finding a good printer is hard, finding a fast (immediate, I am needy/ last minute sometimes) printer is hard. But, what I have found is that printers are very nice! Like, exceptionally nice. There is always a bright side, right?

IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?

Honestly, I would just love sometimes to bounce ideas back with. It's really nice to have sometime that has a good eye and is just as creative as you are. It seems silly to pay someone to do that, but I think my day would be a lot more interesting and satisfying if I had someone to push my ideas further. I am lucky that I have that with Hussy Guts, but professionally, I am all alone. It would also be nice to have someone spend time with my cat when I can't... but $20 is steep.

LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?

I would have told my 18 year old self that Graphic Design was my calling. I wish I had gotten started sooner!

IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

Grad school, is it worth it? Big design companies, pros and cons? Freelance is nice, but I still feel a little something missing.

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I am looking for collaborations, always. I love helping people making their visual dreams a reality. When I aesthetically align with someone, we kill it. Any branding, photo or video shoot art direction, or layout design where you want to incorporate some funky colors or hand-drawn elements, I am your girl.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?

I would love to work for a hospitality company. I want to be part of helping create an experience for someone. Every little detail, they are all equally important. I would also love to work with a music company, just sometime I have always deeply identified with and it would be amazing to help someone or something that is a different type of creative.

WHAT IS YOUR RATE?

My hourly rate is $30/hr. My desired salary is $52,000 - $60,000.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

I always prefer email to start things off, with a general summary of project needs, budget, and some type of sign of friendliness. I am not frightened of the "!" ( but 2 MAX will do) or the ":)" I like cheerful people. :)

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?

I go on walks, look at the street signs. I watch movies from the 70's and 80's. I buy old books and records. I recently got one on how to disco dance. (BLESS!)

Lizzy Joelson

Lizzy Joelson

Graphic Designer / Illustrator / Art Director

WHAT DO YOU DO?

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?

WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?

WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?

IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?

LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?

IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?

WHAT IS YOUR RATE?

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?

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