Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christian Zelaya. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
My photography professor said each career path in the arts is winding and unpredictable, and that was true for mine. I always wanted to be an artist but in college I majored in design, believing it was the only path to a paying career. I continued practicing my art through electives like screenprinting, bookmaking, and photography. Photography and printmaking provided the content I needed for my bookmaking projects, and my passion for my art made each book a labor of love.
Unexpectedly, various professionals were coming to critique our portfolios. Knowing one was a visiting book editor who offered a book design internship, I tailored my critique and portfolio to impress her and secured an interview. This led to an internship where I discovered my love for the challenge of distilling written stories into visual concepts and feelings. I designed numerous book covers and was encouraged to experiment and be creative. The flexible schedule enabled me to grow my illustration, design, and animation through freelance projects.
When I learned all I could at the internship, I applied to an anonymous book publisher, which turned out to be Scholastic. Knowing the prestige Scholastic has, I was incredibly anxious at the interview, but my future boss saw potential in me. I still believe he took a chance on me, a freshly graduated student with only three months of book design experience.
Working at Scholastic was challenging since I was responsible for many book series, had to retain a lot of processes and information exclusive to Scholastic, and learned how to operate in a first corporate setting. The focus was less on experimentation and creativity and more on production, communication, project management, and detailed knowledge. I relied heavily on my boss and coworkers to guide me through the large-scale book design process and the specific expectations of Scholastic.
Due to COVID-19, I was laid off, which presented an opportunity to expand beyond my previous roles. I applied to Forbes, where I discovered that designing and managing books, equipped me with skills applicable to editorial illustration. In the same way, I distilled stories into visuals as a book designer, I communicated the ideas of news stories through visual art. This role required time management, creativity, brand styling, and sophistication.
These experiences have given me the skills and confidence to excel in my current job at NBC, as a full-time editorial designer. My advice is to be passionate about your work, communicate your passions and ideas effectively, conduct thorough research for interviews and job responsibilities, continually expand your skills and knowledge, and be courageous and try things you’ve been told you can’t do.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Christian Zelaya, and I am a brown, gay, Latino artist and designer. I’m currently an editorial designer for NBC, where I collaborate closely with writers and editors to create art that best represents their stories.
Previously, I designed book covers at Rutgers Press, created children’s books for Scholastic, and produced editorial illustrations for Forbes. Each job prepared me for the next, teaching me creativity and experimentation at Rutgers Press, project management and collaboration at Scholastic, and speedy execution at Forbes.
I am passionate about my art, and I feel fortunate that my passion has translated well into my career. Not everyone loves their work, but I do. This passion drives me to push new ideas and skills into my projects.
I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved. In my field, I don’t see many people of color who are gay or Latino, and I hope to be that representation for otheres. I take pride in my unique perspective, my years of experience, the variety of extensive projects I have worked on, and the opportunity to collaborate with many talented individuals.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect is the ability to turn my ideas into reality. If I can imagine something, it’s just a matter of effort to bring it to life. This process allows me to express myself and communicate with others, creating a space for community around my work.
I often lose myself in the act of creating art, and this passion extends to my professional life as well. Many times, my work doesn’t feel like work at all; it’s simply another avenue for my creativity. I love what I do, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be an artist and a creative.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I graduated, I had no idea what job I would have and feared my skills and experience wouldn’t translate into a long-term career. I pursued my passions without considering their career applicability, but I believed in the quality of my work and trusted my work ethic to bridge any gaps.
When my past two contract jobs laid me off during the height of COVID, I was scared and dejected, unsure if I would find another job. I didn’t know if the world needed what I could offer, but I had no safety net. I worked hard to apply for jobs, improve my art portfolio, and research the companies I was interviewing with. Despite hating every minute, I kept at it, driven by necessity.
This determination led me to my first full-time position, which sped up my career trajectory, improved my work-life balance, and improved my creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christian.cargo.site/
- Instagram: @chrisdraws_
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/christian-zelaya-a54785142
Image Credits
Getty Images, Courtesy Christian Zelaya