What’s Your Canvas?

Meet Khia Jackson, a Designer, and fellow Portfolio Center grad, who designs for the fashion industry.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Khia: I've worked on T-shirts, C.D.'s, Posters, Brochures, Acrylic Walls, Packaging, Silk Fabric and (Putting artwork on) high heels. I'll design on whatever is in front of me I feel like change in medium makes things exciting. Currently I eat off of doing graphic design for apparel, My new company StarRock Media* has me moving away from that and back into print, branding and packaging.

Treat: What or who inspired you to go into Design, and how did that transpire?
Khia: I think that most artists will tell you that they didn't have a choice eventually you just pick it up-same thing with me, but I remember clearly when i was like three -really young.-my favorite  teacher Mr. Johnson ran an after school program. He was an artist so most of the projects he gave us were art based. One afternoon taught us how to make a palm tree with two humps at the bottom for the sand (We were living in St. Thomas at the time). I loved it! I kept drawing that damn tree with it's sand humps and  over and over again, that's where it started...I didn't stop re-drawing it until he finally taught me how to draw something else.

Treat: How would you describe your current style, and what do you believe inspired it?
Khia: I don't know how to describe my style really. I like a lot of thick texture, unusual color combo's and broken fonts, and i'm really attracted to close ups of faces. I think human beings are really interesting. If I travel I take a lot of shots of the people, what they're doing and what they've built. while my dad takes pics of the land and architecture.  I don't know what makes us different in that way, but I know that as I've moved a lot a I carry well the memories of the people that I've met, while I can't find my way around a corner because the landscape doesn't hold the same interest.

Treat: What are some of the skills one should have to be a Designer in Fashion?
Khia: A high tolerance for BS. Just kidding (sort of).  Fashion is an industry that is run on a lot of ego's and with a lot of insecure but influential people. That can make it dangerous. And because so many people want to get involved, companies take full advantage. When you first start out they will pay you peanuts.  You have to take the peanuts, but after a certain point your salary will explode upwards. Be sure to get jobs in lines that have a good name within the industry.  Impress your peers with your work and dedication and treat them well. Every last one of my job's in fashion came through word of mouth.

Treat: You started your own design business. What is your specialty, and what kind of experience do you want your clients to gain from it?
Khia: My specialty to date is brand development, and doing design that matches the look of my client but with my style. I would like my clients to feel as though they have gotten a designed product that uniquely but perfectly represents their brand or personal image.

Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Khia: "Limited" as in "no funds"? Oh yeah! ha ha.  I've taken ( and will still take) a project for little or no money, even during times of hardship, if it will give me an opportunity to do something different or flex my design muscles.  I've had at least two or three huge, life-changing opportunities that have come my way because I first did a project at a loss. If you love what you do, you'll always do it even when you're broke or not being recognized. If you are focused it will come to you, I firmly believe that. It may not come in the way you expect it to come, but it will come.

Treat: Did you have a mentor? If so, what did they do, and how did you meet?
Khia: My mom is my mentor. Not in art, but in drive and life.  This is a woman who can fit the contents of an entire apartment into a four door Honda, who will figure out a way to buy a house with a dollar if need be. She's always encouraged me to find opportunity in any way shape or form and in whatever packaging, plus look good doing it!

Treat: More and more schools are taking away art education. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Khia: I've heard that art and music makes the average person more well-rounded and that may be true. I can only speak for those of us who were born to do art and nothing but.  The art programs help you find your calling and develop your potential.  Art is how cultures communicate and develop ideas and store the feeling of a culture or social climate.  When an archaeologists digs, the most pure things they look for to tell them what a culture or community is about is the art: the music, the novels, painting, designs on the swords. If we want better cars, better architecture, better communication even more efficient footwear the govt. and school systems need to develop their designers. Societies don't progress without their artists pulling them into progression. it's just not possible.

Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Khia: Design education helped me to develop into a lot of who I am today. Almost all of my friends when introducing me usually slip the word, "designer" or "graphic designer"  into the intro somehow.  Art is very important to me

Treat: What advice do you have for youth interested in art or design, but are not getting that encouragement?
Khia: Don't let your parents believe the hype. Let them know that you can make a lot of money in art. I have a good number of friends who look, talk, dress and smell just like you do that are earning six figure salaries or somewhere near.  And take ALL the opportunities that come to you.  I know it's hard when your family and friends discourage you. I know a lot of people who gave up on their dreams as a kid because their parents said "hell no", but when you look around you at all of the art, music and ideas that were founded by the artists of the 80's who can't stop won't stop. Today a lot of those guys are running to japan to do work, speaking on panels in Amsterdam and lecture at some of the nations top colleges...And yes, they do eat well!
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If you know a Designer, Writer, Business owner, or any supporter of design/art whose work inspires you, please send me their e-mail and a short explanation, web-site or blog by submitting to treatblog@gmail.com.