Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Lopez-White.
Hi Angie, 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 backstories with our readers.
I have always been drawn to the arts from a young age. If one were to travel back in time to my past, they would most likely catch me with crayons, pens, and scissors. I had an active imagination which fueled my drive to create and explore what could be done and what hasn’t been done. However, I was also driven to help others. I would be profoundly moved by stories of people less fortunate in the world as a child, and this would define my direction academically as I soon wanted to become a doctor. So, I set a goal to be a doctor. Later, being a doctor would become being a neurologist, and then that would change to a neurologist with a minor in psychology. In the final months of my senior year of high school, I had an epiphany: I was not happy with the path I was making in my future, and I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. That is exactly what I did. I enrolled in John Paul the Great Catholic University; a small university tucked away in Escondido. It was there that I made wonderful friendships and connections that helped nurture my art and my person. After graduating, it was through my network that I was able to land my first freelance job as well as an internship at the City of Escondido. At the City, I discovered my love for Graphic design, and I was able to learn so much about the craft with the help of the wonderful team there. I then found myself at Montezuma Publishing at San Diego State University, where I designed books, flyers, calendars, and more. Now I work for the San Diego Air and Space Museum, where I get to make and design a variety of assets that help enhance visitors’ experiences!
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?
It has certainly not been a smooth road for a variety of reasons. One, finding your own creative identity can be difficult and it has definitely been an ongoing struggle that I still have even now. I have a better idea of who I am now, but it doesn’t feel complete. Why do I create beyond the fact that I want to bring joy visually to others? There is something more there. I want to find the answers and express them in my brand. It is an ongoing journey of self-reflection, building, and discovery. A journey that can be fun but also equally frustrating for a designer.
I also know that, personally, I have had a hard time finding time to grow more as an artist apart from work. Finding the right workflow can be frustrating. There is a part of me that wants to tackle and create as many projects as possible, but that can also be overwhelming. Developing a reasonable, disciplined workflow that allows room for quality growth is important but difficult for the overly ambitious.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an illustrator and graphic designer! I am known for my use of bright colors and love incorporating illustrations into designs within reason. I am very proud to have found a job in my career path, as it can be difficult to do so in a competitive market. Two projects I am currently most proud of include the City of Escondido 2022 Map, a map that promotes wonderful local businesses, and my contribution to the display designs at SDSU’s 125th Anniversary that showcased the university’s history through the years. Both projects were not only large in scale, but they also challenged and introduced me to a different experience in my growth as an artist.
As to what sets me apart from others, it is hard to say. However, what I hope sets me apart is the fun and authenticity that I try and place into my work. Sometimes, I feel that we take ourselves too seriously and we need design/art that is inviting and honest.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think we will be seeing a lot of interesting changes in the tools that we use, specifically in technology. Now design is more accessible with tools such as Canva, which provides easy design tools accessible to people outside the industry. At first, I was hearing mixed reviews from my peers and people in the community. I think this is due in part to its saying “design isn’t just for designers”. It seemed to undermine the care that goes into the trade, and some were going as far as to say that graphic design is dying. In the end, I found myself enjoying and using Canva as a tool that helped me create more projects. So, I feel like we will be seeing a similar pattern, particularly with AI. There are AI programs, the one I most recently learned about being Dall-e 2, that can generate an art/image from anything you describe. It is a little scary to think that an AI can create unique art and graphics faster and better. However, I also see the potential that it has for creatives and the imaginative. Like Canva, I see it becoming another cool tool for artists and graphic designers. I think there is only so much that technology can do, and one thing it cannot do is have the heart and passion it takes to bring a piece together.
Contact Info:
- Website: angie-lopez.webflow.io
