Today we’d like to introduce you to Quincy Carswell
Hi Quincy, 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?
My name is Quincy Carswell, I go by Que. I got in graphic design when I reached 18. Although, I had been doing design-like things prior to that, I didn’t know it was passion or a possible career choice. Growing up my family and friends always said “that boy is so talented – he can dance, sign, write poetry, draw, create interesting ideas.” I never really knew it was special. It was just me being me. I always wanted to create and with creating I had to figure things out. So I taught myself a lot of things like how to harmonize to I record the music I wrote, how to design so I can make cool album covers, how to draw so I can make custom illustrations and tattoos for my friends, How to dance so I can make videos, How to use a camera so I can take cool photoshoots. It was just me being a problem-solver. Then I realized working at Staples that I had a talent when my customers would come back quickly and ask me to create more graphics for them. So, in my search to learn how to do better graphics, I found out design was a career path and chose to follow it. From then on I pursued design in more professional ways. Like going to school and helping small local businesses in Florida get their brands noticed with social media and advertising designs. After much trial and error, I got the verification I wanted from my mentor and professor the first day she saw my work. She said ‘You have a natural talent”. I knew I couldn’t stop from then on. Even though it hasn’t paid me the big bucks yet. I still pursued it because it gave me fulfillment. When I can solve other people’s problems with my talent, that’s the best part. After being in the design industry with different companies from marketing departments to print agencies on the East Coast. I went on a study abroad to Bahia, Brazil to help a non-profit organization with branding. That was the most amazing experience and I needed it. Soon after, I decided I need a change of scenery. I chose to move to San Diego, where all the competition is, and have been here for 6 months. I love this place it has so much energy, activities, beautiful and chill vibes. I could have never guessed this would be one of the most BEST but nerve-wracking and expensive decisions I’ve ever made. Still, I am trying to break through the market here and find a position that helps me sustain a decent quality of life here but also lets me utilize my God-given talents. I constantly try to network with people as I explore this place and find so much inspiration and support from those people. Slowly but surely gaining clientele or recommendations. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up being my own design agency! Only time will tell…but until then the struggle is real but the grind is hard and the passion builds life!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The main struggles I’ve run into along the way mainly stem from me being too focused on staying above water financially, and that I don’t take “risky” opportunities like taking on a large project in fear I may not have the capacity and backing for it. I think I continue to lowball my efforts to stay safe from falling further into debt and losing what I do have. Hence, why I’ve always had to work 2-3 jobs simultaneously and design was secondary. I managed to gain a good job opportunity that allowed me to “Live” but the company had a mass layoff one year later. Thus I still maintained good connections with my hire-ups that they called me for smaller freelance projects. So there has been silver linings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
So in my field of graphic design, I am very versatile, I work with print and digital graphics. This includes anything that can be printed such as posters, signage, flyers, business cards, invitations, magazines, postcards, packaging, t-shirts, and so on. Also digitally I create social media graphics, website layouts, app design layouts, animated videos, web banners, illustrations, and more. Not to mention art direction, so I can help companies build their branding like logos and identity or build and design ad-campaign strategies or marketing materials like email layouts and landing pages.
What makes you happy?
Happy for me is expressing myself. When I get inspiration I just want to create and see where it takes me. I never really cared for much in life besides being able to use what I do best.
Pricing:
- Print Design $45 per hour
- Digital Design $45 per hour
- Branding based on company
- Animated Designs $45 per hour
- Consultations $25 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itsquincy.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yup.itsquincy
Image Credits
All images are credited to “itsQuincy Creative”
