Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Lockhart.
Tony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One undergrad year in 2013, I guess I got a little impatient and really wanted to prove to myself I am in the right field. So I ditched my small town in South Carolina and took a trip to Pasadena, California, on a Sunday with these fancy yet expensive business cards; I maxed out my credit card and a physical portfolio book. The following Monday, I walked all over Pasadena, knocking on doors and speaking with whoever I could about joining their agency, and by the end of the day, I had a freelance offer, and it has been a snowball rolling downhill ever since.
Since then, I spent a few years working in-house at corporations, the federal government, and ad agencies. As a freelancer, I have worked with brands such as The American Red Cross, Home Depot, Dunkin’, Acura, Printful, and Chevrolet.
Over the past few years, my path has taken me back to my love of illustration, moving beyond advertising and branding. I spend my days illustrating for myself, clients, and private requests. Outside of client work, I enjoy being an Ambassador for Adobe Express and supporting other creatives, whether through content creation, in-person events, or developing Photoshop brushes.
I want to help make the creative field more accessible for aspiring creatives and avoid the roadblocks I faced.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I have dealt with tons of naysayers, a lack of resources, a lack of support, family issues, and interpersonal struggles.
There was a time I also gave up as an undergrad, believe it or not. I went as far as switching my majors and never opening the Adobe Creative Suite for months after being told I would not make it in this field by my two design professors, and was told, “Maybe you should switch your major to finance,” by an owner of a local web design agency I met at Starbucks whom I admired. I figured, “Hey, these guys are pros. They know what they are talking about.” So I believed them, yet the moment I seemed to have given up was when everything started clicking. By the time some people in the community still saw me as a designer and would request things here and there, I did it, despite giving up, because I also needed the money. But I noticed my design skills and talents started flowing naturally and better than before; I guess once you stop creating for others’ approval, you find your talent. I was always designing with what I thought my professors wanted to see in mind.
Other challenges exist, like a lack of support; plenty of times I had to be my own cheerleader. Adults in my family were constantly negative whenever I shared a dream, like wanting to move to California for my career, and they came from a place of fear, wanting me to play it safe.
I remember my parents telling me my degrees in design and marketing would be worthless. I hosted undergrad art exhibits where only like 4 people showed up out of the 100s I invited. So, there were times I wanted to give up because of the lack of support; it is so exhausting having to be your own support system.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creative specializing in illustration, content creation, and branding. I’m best known for illustrations with hidden pop culture Easter eggs.
I am still excited about creating AR experiences with Adobe Aero, something I dreamt of years ago as an undergrad, but the technology was not very accessible.
I like to think about what makes me unique is my ability to view from any client’s perspective along with their target audience. I also receive a ton of compliments on my color palettes and perspective. as a plus.
How do you think about happiness?
My close friends and lifelong friendships. Because they are so rare and hard to come by, they are an honor every day. In second place, it would be alone in my bubble, illustrating, cold weather, and good music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecreativesnark.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativesnark/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTMslAW7eeqVSaYGG7wvdbw
- Other: https://www.behance.net/lockharttony
