In March 2024, I received a last-minute DM from none other than Codie Sanchez, requesting 60+ visuals in 30 days. The scope was too large for one person, and I questioned how the team would find a suitable specialist willing to drop everything and commit to the project within the timeframe.
To make it viable, I proposed a collaboration with two industry peers, Michael Boorman and Ash Lamb.
It was an unusual opportunity to work in my friend's style. And even more impressive, I led the negotiations and doubled the rate that my friends received per illustration.
Not only was this project special to be involved in, especially because we were in a Slack channel with the amazing Codie, but on a personal level, I got to experience the feeling of 'making my friends more money.'
It is a feeling that will stay with me forever.
***
I created 24 visuals and provided art direction on others to ensure consistent designs.
In design speak, this involved paying close attention to layout, stroke, white space, shading, and recurring motifs to unify the final set (like “let’s use the same diamond”).
By chance, I was the only person who came to the project with a graphic design background. Which means that another gift this project gave me was the gift of seeing my own value.
I helped maintain quality control across all of the different graphics and advising on layout decisions. It was rewarding to be able to support the others collaborators so that the project came together as a whole.
***
Every time I see this book, I smile.
It was a dream come true to work with Codie Sanchez.
But it was also dream come true to work with two of my closest friends, who I met because of my brand and who, without their support, I wouldn't be where I am today!
I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to exist in the same space as friends and not see them as competition, because of the fundamental belief that there are enough opportunities out there for us all ❤️
Comments ()