Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Sistrunk.
Hi Shawn , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been interested in art, history and design as far back as I can remember. I moved to San Diego back in 2013 and worked in hospitality for about 8 years before deciding to further my education in design. I went to Newschool of Architecture & Design for product design and during that time managed at a nightclub and did freelance design work as well. Before finishing my degree I partnered with a classmate and we decided to start a brand that we named Vagrent, which was a way for us to put out some designs that we had always wanted in the luxury outdoor space. We started with a goal of doing headwear for all of the American National Parks, but we also have plans for a number of other outdoor accessories as well. Our goal at Vagrent, is to put out great functional designs that get people excited about being outside.
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?
The road has been far from smooth. Manufacturing and distribution were a challenge. But what’s been able to help us push through was seeing our visions come to life. In order to bring these products the life we there were a few changes that we had to accept that were different from our initial intention. However, it’s a learning process and I’m very pleased with how everything has come out so far.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a designer and I make products. I specialize in making tangible goods and currently, I work for a medical device company as a designer. However, I also design for my own company Vagrent. I believe what sets me apart from other designers is not only my sense of functionality and organization but also my thoughtfulness in designing ecosystems.
How do you define success?
My definition of success is having a sense of purpose and being able to contribute to society, while being able to enjoy life with the people you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagrentlifestyle.com
- Instagram: vagrant.official
Image Credits
Josef Emil Gutierrez @josefegutierrez
