Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Brand.
Hi Dustin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I have always loved art and creating! My passion for creating began in elementary school when I began entering art contests. However, my love for graphic design really started when I entered middle school and started volunteering on the media and production team at my local church!
Not long after I started volunteering, I was given the opportunity to start working on designing sermon series illustrations and even branding our youth group. Doing this ignited my love for digital art, especially in regard to the Church. From there, I went on to college at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR, and majored in Graphic Design with a minor in marketing.
Through that time I began working for a marketing agency designing social media graphics and marketing campaigns for several large businesses, including Panama Jack, Mountain Khakis, and Leatherman. Having the experience of working with big brands helped me to build my confidence in my work, and I started branching out into other graphic design fields!
This boost of confidence leads me to begin working for a retail supplier as a Packaging / Product Designer. This was by far my biggest learning experience and has now become my biggest flex. During this time, I was creating cleaning and pet products (that can now be found on shelves) for multiple big box stores such as Wal-Mart, Aldi, and Lowes, just to name a few. I never in a million years thought that I would be designing things that people would see daily, let alone purchase!
Fast forward two years to 2020 and my wife and I moved from Northwest Arkansas to live here in Memphis! Since moving here, I have started working as a Graphic Designer for The Life Church, which has reignited my original passion for designing for the Church. In addition to my day job, I have had the opportunity to complete many projects for other churches and several local businesses. I always enjoy creating designs for multiple types of businesses because it helps to keep my ideas fresh after all these years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been smooth! Growing up in such a small town did not lend itself well to growing a design portfolio. In fact, early on in my career, I chased “graphic designer needed” hashtags on Twitter and Instagram just to try and build my own brand and get my name out there, without charging for any of my work.
And if any beginner designers are reading this, I would not recommend this strategy, get paid for your work you are worth it! Another struggle was learning how to receive feedback and criticism from clients and peers. People have opinions, a lot of them, especially when you are trying to create something so subjective. I know it’s cliche but beauty, or art in this case, is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Everyone sees art differently, and it’s a designer’s job to take the feedback and use it as a springboard for ideas, and not as an attack on your art or abilities. This same struggle can be applied to the feedback I give to my peers. Learning how each designer I work with is different in their ideas and personality definitely takes time and patience, but is worth the investment!
I wouldn’t change anything about the path I have taken and the struggles along the way as they have helped me learn who I am as a designer. There are still struggles for sure, and those will never go away, but I have learned to take them in stride and use them as learning opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a graphic designer, more specifically focused on brand development, and with my last name being Brand, it is kind of a coincidence that this is what I feel like I was born to do! I love to work with all types of people/businesses but gravitate towards churches, outdoor businesses, and sports teams. I love talking with clients and learning more about them and what their goals for their brand are.
Deep diving into the conversation and really being able to understand the person behind the brand are vital to creating something that can stand the test of time. I think something that sets me apart from other creators is my ability to simplify. I always try to keep things simple and to the point.
No unnecessary colors or lines, something that can silhouette. Meaning the brand identity can look just as good in one color black or white as it can in two or three colors. With that being said, some brands do require a little more flare and I am always looking for a challenge!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenativegraphics.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/native_graphics/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NativeGraphx
Image Credits
Brynn VB Photography
