We recently connected with Cameron Mack and have shared our conversation below.

Cameron, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

My earliest professional projects were startups that found me via word of mouth. They were exciting, but they also came with some challenges, especially when it came to pricing. I was still in school, juggling freelance graphic design work, and didn’t know how best to gauge my skills. I worried about charging too much and scaring off potential clients or lowballing and getting taken advantage of. I also tended to do favors for people in my immediate circle of influence. There can only be so many friendly discounts before it becomes a tricky habit to curb outside of that circle. But, as I gained more experience, I realized that the right clients will recognize your value and pay accordingly. It’s okay to turn away a project that isn’t a good fit. This gave me the confidence I needed to stand firm on pricing. These days I hardly think twice about how much I charge, and my network has expanded because of it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been attached to art from the time I could walk. After developing posters and t-shirts for events in high school, I transitioned to motion graphics, logo creation, illustration, event marketing, printmaking, and publicity design during my college years. Majoring in motion media at SCAD helped me branch out into animation too. Now that I’ve graduated, my main focus as a designer is to bring a person’s vision to life in all aspects of graphic work, whether it’s a branding package or a film title sequence. I want to create authentic and striking deliverables that connect with people, all from a blank canvas. Clients have inventive minds, exploding with ideas, but it’s not always easy to take that first step in putting those ideas to fruition, especially when it comes to visuals. I aim to assist them. One of my biggest strengths is my style versatility. I take on projects with a “can-do” attitude, treating each one as a fun challenge that helps me grow. I’m also super social, so building great relationships with the people I work with comes naturally. It’s awesome when people talk about my work in a way that reflects good vibes and a positive experience. That is what I want people to remember when they consider and refer to my brand.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I was more prepared for AI to make its iconic debut! The creative industry changes like the wind and part of the job is being able to change with it. It just so happens that the most fast-learning and innovative means of production found its way into our world at a very unexpected time in my creative journey – promptly after I graduated college. There’s a humor in that. I can say that I am still getting used to it, trying to think of it as more of a tool, or an ally, rather than a threat to my career. At this very moment, it is the worst it will ever be, improving itself at an exponential rate. I believe that those who choose to become familiar with it now, by incorporating it ethically and productively into our work, will be one step ahead. Still, it would have been nice to receive a heads-up!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, the most effective way for society to support artists is by paying them fairly. Creative careers should be given as much credit and respect as any other field. A person does not go a single day without interacting with some form of art, and it’s the human touch that connects us to it and each other. To neglect the arts is to neglect the minds that transform the human experience into forms that move us and engage our senses. As the world rapidly changes, anyone can notice that many jobs are being tested. Now, more than ever is the time to stand with artists. Writers, actors, musicians, dancers, illustrators, designers, and creators alike deserve fair compensation for their work. Supporting them is supporting the heart and soul of our communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.madmack.art/
• Instagram: @_madmack
• Other: Email address: [email protected]

Image Credits

My chosen personal photo was photographed by Jordan Chatman (@itsjchat on Instagram)