Jerrod Landon Porter
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
iheartjlp.com
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Enjoyed drawing and painting.
Took private classes to focus my art.
Was directed in school to make commercial art.
Started college to learn about careers.
Applied my art to my own projects and shared it with peers.
Was asked by peers and bands to work on their art projects.
Took my art on the road and networked with more.
Applied everything I learned into building my own identity.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Associate's Degree
Career
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
I design, illustrate, and make products for musicians and my "brand."
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Technology
Art
Being Creative
Day to Day
Everyday I wake up is different. Rarely to I ever repeat a day. One day I might have to draw an album package. Another day I have to draw a shirt design then the very next day I'll have to print that shirt design. Maybe I'll have to build up a week by designing something, then putting together a marketing plan for it, advertising it, then finally selling and producing it. Being a commercial artist isn't about just sitting at a table drawing. You've got to show your face and mingle too.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for middle school students
I picked middle school because I think of it as the wasted years. Middle school is set up because your body is in a weird hormone growing stage. You must be kept away from little kids and away from big kids that want to beat you up. If you want to do what I do, learn to play some music, you better already like drawing, soak up all pop culture (good or bad), and learn to not get punched in the face.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Associate's Degree
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Family:
"I was told to go to school, get a degree, get one job, stick with it."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Subculture
Learning Issues
