What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?
The term "Creative Community" seams very broad to me. Mostly because everyone on some level is creative. I'm certainly apart of the design & typography community. I enjoy the fact that there are other people who have similar interest as I do. The design community as a whole serves as inspiration, and challenges me to keep pushing my work.
How did you discover your creativity?
I was always the kid in the back of the class getting in trouble for drawing. I'm still that kid. The only difference is now I get paid for it.
Name the biggest challenge you have had in growing your business. How did you solve it?
No one tells you that selling your work in an art form in of itself. The truth is clients need so much more than just pretty stuff to look at. You have to grow a silver tongue in order to see the work you made produced. I forced myself to talk about my work with people who really don't care about design. The quicker you can talk about your work in a compelling non pretentious way to people who have little interest in design the better you'll be. Most of the people that are going to hire you are not going to be scholars in gestalt design theory.
What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?
I've been extremely fortunate in that I have been given opportunities to work on some truly wonderful projects. While I do think my career has had a natural progression, if I'm honest designing the Pinterest logo & identity certainly helped bring traffic to on my work.
What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?
I don't carry a backpack, handbag, or tote bag.
Top 3 Tips you would give someone starting out in your creative profession:
1. Make a lot of work.
2. Don't be afraid to share your work.
3. Be open to critical feedback.
4. Bonus: Do work that your makes you uncomfortable.
Who are you following right now on Instagram for inspiration and why?
So many amazing people making amazing work. Jordan Metcalf, Ricardo Gonzalez (itsaliving), Kevin Cantrell, Stephen ESPO Powers, Shane Griffin, Rich Tu, Jesse Rieser, Josh Dickinson, Ahmed Klink, Blaise Cepis. I can keep going.
What is your MOTTO in life?
Do what you love and fuck the rest.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Totino's pizza rolls on late drunken evenings.
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
1. A knife.
2. A hammock.
3. An Inflatable raft so I can peace out when I'm done fishing and relaxing.
What do your parents think you do?
I don't think they really know. They know I make things for a living, but we really never go far into it. I think they're just happy that I regularly feeding myself, and that I'm happy.
What would be your Networking Do's & Dont's?
I enjoy meeting people. Not designers, not typographers, not art directors, but people. Just be a person. Don't try to sell yourself. Your work should do that.
Full Name: Juan Carlos Pagan
Profession: Artist, Designer, Typographer
Industry: Design
Website: http://www.sundayafternoon.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcpagan
Instagram: @JuanCarlosPagan https://www.instagram.com/juancarlospagan/
Twitter: @Juan_C_Pagan https://twitter.com/Juan_C_Pagan
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