Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Clinebell.
Brian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved out to California in 1999 from Virginia. Skateboarding was the reason I really wanted to move to San Diego. My first year here I realized I’d need to learn graphic design if I wanted to do board or apparel graphics. When I worked Pacific Drive Skate Shop around 2005, the owner let me do a few ads and t-shirt graphics and then I got my first full-time gig at Fallen Footwear after I graduated from San Diego State University. I have been designing now professionally for over 11 years. Currently, I work at Sharp HealthCare as their main graphic designer for Health News content and social media. I still love experimenting with other mediums like collage, painting, printmaking, marbling, photography, and video.
Has it been a smooth road?
Most creatives have experienced peaks and valleys, especially during 2007 or 2008. Around that time I got laid off from my first design gig, and for the next two years I was on unemployment and worked freelance. It was a kinda scary time, not knowing if I would get a call or email about freelance work each week. But it was also a great experience getting to work with so many brands. I worked with DC Shoes, Emerica, Sector Nine, and Hard Rock Hotel to name a few. I started some side gigs at the time selling vintage on Etsy and selling stuff I had collected on eBay.
I also started playing in a band called The KABBs during that time. We are still doing shows and recording till this day. Side projects like the band and painting helped with financial challenges I faced during those days. I started getting into DJing here & there in between design jobs as well. Usually I DJ at Tiger!Tiger! In North Park or Whistle Stop in South Park. My family and girlfriend kept me in a good space, so I was not discouraged during those rough economic times.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Clinebell Creative story. Tell us more about the business.
I mainly do graphic design work. A few years ago I worked for Pigment in North Park and then looking for a change I started working full-time for Sharp HealthCare doing graphic design, but I still do freelance work as well. I tend to work with smaller brands and companies.
Most recent clients have been School of Rock San Diego and a new surf-inspired tie brand called Surf Tie. I would say poster design and apparel design are my strengths. I keep learning new techniques in art and design to keep my designs from becoming stagnant.
I am most proud that I have stuck with it through the really tough times and when some of the jobs might have been really hard to deal with. The hand done element to some of my design work I feel is still an aesthetic that sets me apart from most designers.
Painting and printmaking were a big part of my time in college so I try to bring elements of that in to my design when I can. My work can be seen at clinebellcreative.com
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Video content across the board. I just got back from the Adobe Conference in Los Angeles and I took as many sessions on video and animation that I could. Adobe has made making video projects much easier for most designers. You’re going to see a trend where most companies will be hiring multi-media designers that can do video, graphic design and photography.
My normal day at work lately could be making a short animation out of an infographic or shooting and editing an interview with a client for a video. Every client needs video content to promote their site or product. Also, I feel that Augmented reality experiences are going to be everywhere in the next few years.
Contact Info:
- Website: clinebellcreative.com
- Phone: 562-256-6410
- Email: brianclinebell@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/brianclinebell
- Facebook: facebook.com/brian.clinebell
- Twitter: twitter.com/thekabbs
- Other: thekabbs.com
Image Credit:
Liam Kennedy
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