Mission Bank’s Post

I quit being an artist 💔 For years, I poured everything into making art my career. I worked on some incredible projects—creating concept art for PolyFruit Studios, having my animation shown at the Roundhouse during a Pixies concert, and helping fundraise for Inkblot. These were amazing experiences, but the reality behind the dream was tough. After countless rejections, art tests, ghosted applications, and the rise of AI art, I found myself losing the love I once had for creating. Art became a chore, something I only did for career-related goals, never for myself. Watching talented peers in the gaming industry face layoffs and challenges made me realise that the path I was on wasn’t sustainable for me. So, I made the hard decision to stop pursuing art as a career. I took on a variety of non-creative jobs, earned new qualifications, and volunteered wherever I could. All of this led me to where I am now—with a career in marketing that I absolutely love. It allows me to be creative during the day and leaves me time to enjoy art as a hobby again. Being a concept artist was my dream, but I couldn’t make it work—and that’s okay. Goals evolve; sometimes it takes trying a million different things to find what truly fits. There is strength in letting go of one path to embrace another. I haven’t failed; I’ve found balance, stability, and a renewed love for creating—just for me. 😊

At Fred & Eric, we often work with clients to transform messaging into compelling, relatable and visually engaging narratives. Read our article below with key examples showcasing how animation can elevate your brand's core values, and get in touch if you have a project we can help with!

It was great to have a chance to share my story! 🌟 In this feature, I open up about my journey as a Creative Director, and the pivots I’ve made along the way. A big thank you for the spotlight post and to everyone who has helped me along my journey. Check out the article here >>>>

Achieving a true black background in product videography can be challenging. I envisioned a shot where the camera and lights circle the product, creating dramatic lighting, with each pass revealing details of the product against a black background. The problem is that light spills everywhere, illuminating the white walls of the room, turning the black background into a gray one. The solution? Black fabric backdrops to encapsulate the set, ensuring the product stands out vividly against pure darkness. While this method was somewhat complex, it delivered the stark, isolated effect we aimed for. Stay tuned for a simpler approach I'll share in my next post. P.S.: Cheers to Red Pitaya for being a part the story #Product #ProductVideo #VideoProductionTips

In a Los Angeles apartment during their weekly cooking nights, long-time friends Keaton Webb, Gabriela Hansen and Melody Hansen had an idea. What began as casual conversations about culture, art and design evolved into ROT, a new creative studio with ambitions that stretch far beyond traditional agency confines. The trio, who first connected on Tumblr 13 years ago, have merged their diverse backgrounds in photography, fine art and graphic design to create what they describe as “a brand that builds brands.” With experience working with clients like Nike, NBC Universal and We're Not Really Strangers, they're now channelling this combined expertise into constructing visual worlds that span both digital and physical spaces. Read the interview → t-bi.link/rot

Throwback Thursday 🕰️: "Visuals have the power to transcend time, evoking memories and emotions, connecting us to moments past and possibilities future. With PKW Media Solutions, let's tap into the iconic visual elements of your brand or industry. What visual legacy does your brand aspire to leave? How can we craft imagery that becomes synonymous with your story?"

As an artist, you might find that your local market isn't quite ready to invest in original artwork. Instead, they may lean towards more affordable prints. But here's the thing: that doesn't mean you need to lower your prices across the board. It’s all about finding the right buyers who truly appreciate your work. Sometimes, that means exploring other zip codes and areas to discover where your ideal market is hiding. As we gear up for Q4—the biggest selling time of the year—now’s the perfect time to refine your strategy. At Art Storefronts, we’re here to help you navigate these challenges and connect with the right audience. Let’s get you started 👉 https://bit.ly/3Q3SBAb

Continuing the journey from Mentee to Artist Alongside Cherise Hewitt and Luke Premdas, we had the opportunity to be part of “A One Month Mentors Story”, a short film with The Elephant Room and paq works - sponsored by WINGSTOP UK (Lemon Pepper Holdings Ltd) We each move through different disciplines—DJing, visual storytelling, photography, and making clothes—but we’re not defined by them. Together, they give us a unique point of view as we navigate our careers and share our work with the world. This video is a reminder that: • Your day job doesn’t have to stop you from creating. • Whatever you’re making, put your all into it and share it with others. Because creativity doesn’t happen in isolation. Watch the full video and let me know your thoughts. I hope it inspires you to keep going!

Some projects have a special place in my heart. I was on Cloud 9 when I was hired to collaborate with Copacino+Fujikado to help rebrand their client, Seattle Children's Theatre. This vital cultural force operating since 1975, hired Courtney Sale, a daring artistic director known for her innovative productions. Courtney recognized that their ID felt too old-fashioned and was ready to shake things up. It was a board decision to change the name to SCT. However, reducing the name to a 3-letter word presented a new type of challenge. The "SCT" abbreviation felt cold and static and lacked the much-needed emotional drive. Yet the theatre just like its tireless kids was anything but static. So, I proposed a flexible ID system to accentuate the agile nature of its aspiring actors. The letter "C" symbolizes "Children" as a dynamic force, ready to jump out of the frame to participate in thought-provoking plays. Magenta and Yellow were chosen for their bold attention-getting appeal. The framing blocks represented the foundation for passion-driven performances. Then I crafted a family of the "C" siblings, expressing such traits as imagination, curiosity, and creativity. My solution was well received by my collaborators and the theatre's board of directors. However, thus far, SCT has only been using the primary logo, while the other "Cs" are still sitting on the bench. Is it a missed opportunity? In my view, yes. Had it become too big of a task to manage a quirky chorus of multiple logo versions? Possibly, yes. What's the learning lesson here? I learned to be more pragmatic in terms of weighing clients' capacity to execute a complex ID system. I enjoyed the journey and the opportunity to create something fresh and attention-getting. Thus, I consider this project a major success despite the short lifespan of its multi-logo family. At the end of the day, one only needs one effective logo, right? Who knows, one day, someone will open the dusty digital drawers and will unleash the other "Cs". A boy can dream. :) #differentiation #brandrelevance #theatrebranding #rebrand #logoinspirations

Disney veteran and master world-builder Theron Skees is trading in his Imagineering pixie dust for publishing ink with a 2025 book so packed with themed design wisdom, it might as well come with its own animatronic narrator. "Creating Memorable Worlds" promises to teach readers how to build immersive experiences, whether you’re designing a theme park or transforming your laundry room into a thrilling cave adventure. Featuring anecdotes, industry secrets, and a foreword by Experience Economy guru Joe Pine, this is your theme park playbook, because sometimes you need more than duct tape and dreams. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gBQMjr9S