We recently connected with Aimee Unger and have shared our conversation below.

Aimee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

I’m currently a freelance illustrator, and I’ve been managing my own social media since high school, when I first started posting my artwork online. It’s always been a struggle for sure, especially with how much social media has grown and how fast trends can change. The main ones I try to consistently post on are Instagram, Twitter and most recently TikTok. Managing all of the different algorithms and breaking down how my art can be successful on each platform is a really fun challenge. I actually went insanely viral on TikTok back in 2020 all because I randomly decided to post myself painting an old monopoly board I found tucked away in my basement during quarantine.

Aimee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a visual development artist and illustrator, born and raised in Atlanta, GA. I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in illustration and I strive to tell stories and educate on a community and culture that I don’t always see represented in children’s media. I am a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), so I want to make it my mission to illustrate stories and services that represent not only the deaf community but the CODA community as well. Growing up with my parents, I’ve always adapted to telling stories visually, which is what really led me to pursue illustration in the first place. A lot of my future endeavors consist on educating the public on CODA experiences and American Sign Language in general.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist for me is seeing how people connect with my characters. Each of the characters I design are a small part of me. I feel like I pour a little bit of myself into every design; even if it’s a small one-off background character or a quick sketch that happens to find it’s way out into the world. I love whenever someone reaches out and tells me that they love my design, or when they make a connection to the personality I was trying to convey. It just makes me feel so happy and fulfilled as an artist!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m actually finding myself in the middle of a pivot at this stage in my career. I recently graduated from SCAD with my brand new degree in Illustration, and was hoping to break into the exciting world of visual development for TV animation. That was my goal for the entirety of my college career, and its what I was expecting to do once I graduated. However, due to the recent WGA strike and the current SAG-AFTRA strike, finding work in that industry has been a little difficult to say the least. I also have an intense passion for children’s book illustration and have always had a dream of writing and illustrating my own stories relating to my experiences as a CODA and the deaf community. So, I’ve been pivoting to that form of art for a little while now, and referring to it as my “second plan A”. I definitely have no plans on abandoning my goal of working in visual development, but I am appreciating the opportunity to explore my options in book illustration and publication!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aimeeunger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amioko_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-unger/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/amioko__

Image Credits
Aimee Unger