Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Swinson.
Hi Eli, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Eli and I was born and raised right here in the Triangle. I graduated from NCSU a few years back with a degree in architecture, but seeing so many parts of Raleigh give way to development and gentrification made me well aware that it wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted to do work that would help local people and businesses (in whatever way I could) and began looking to help a few people I knew work on things like new menus, event flyers, and the like. Gradually it started to grow into logo and branding work along with website layouts and designs.
I’m passionate about design and I’m passionate about local businesses and creatives, so it made sense to me to merge the 2, and while it may not keep the wave of developers away, I hope that through design I can help small businesses and artists grow and continue to make Raleigh the great city I call “home”.
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 wasn’t easy to begin with. I wasn’t the most confident or comfortable with putting myself in a lot of ways, but progress isn’t often measured by the day-to-day. The last year or so, I’ve seen more people reaching out with ideas for designs they’d like to work into their brand, but in the beginning, I had to reach out to friends or just ask around and see who needed any kind of visual media, even if it was for a small event several months out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a designer that focuses on branding and logos, but I’m beginning to move into web design as it’s such a necessary part of a business’ identity these days. Everything begins on paper and I try to retain that hand-made feeling in everything I make. I felt like a lot of my designs were clunky and imperfect when I started, because most of what I saw other designers create looked so pristine and manufactured, however, when clients started approaching me to actively seek out a hand-drawn aesthetic, I realized “wow, maybe there could be some demand for this”. A lot of my designs are inspired heavily by traditional tattoos, folk art, etc. I like art that’s approachable and doesn’t try to be pretentious, because it honestly intimidates a lot of people to feel like they really have to “get” art to enjoy it. I believe art can be absolutely whatever you want it to be, and however, it makes you feel is perfectly valid.
Along with creating designs for other people and businesses, I also make prints and stickers when I’m not working on other projects.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m not sure how much it would surprise anyone that knows me well, but I’d like to move to the mountains one day and build a house and live off-grid. I love design, and technology offers so many creative tools that weren’t available even 10 years ago, but I’m definitely happiest when I’m immersed in nature.
Pricing:
- Designs are typically $20/hour, but I’m always willing to work with a budget.
Contact Info:
- Email: swinsoneli@gmail.com
- Website: elijahswinson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelihello/?hl=en
