We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Rankin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Steven, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

The name “Custom Piñatas” embodies the core of our creative philosophy. Inspired by my Mexican heritage, I’ve always been captivated by the vibrant and playful nature of piñatas. They symbolize creativity, celebration, and the power of community.

Just as each piñata is a unique masterpiece, we approach every project with the same level of care and attention to detail. Our goal is to deliver innovative, custom solutions that exceed expectations.

By combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, we are committed to creating visually stunning and functionally effective designs.

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?

Hello! I’m Steven Rankin, a seasoned creative with over 15 years of experience in art direction and creative program management. My journey began as a trained illustrator, and over time, I’ve honed my creative skills to encompass art direction, team leadership, and project management.

I’ve had the privilege of leading high-performing content programs at Google, the Port of San Diego, and San Diego State University (among others). My expertise lies in developing and executing innovative campaigns, from concept to completion. Deliverables included, but not limited to, Gen AI strategies, education planning, web development, branding, infographics, and video production,

While at Google, I’m particularly proud of my work in building and scaling a multimedia content production program for the Google Ads knowledge center. Serving evolving user learning expectations, I significantly expanded the team’s service offerings, transitioning from text-only-based resource to a comprehensive multimedia approach. I successfully managed a diverse team, launched numerous high-priority initiatives, and forged strong partnerships with external agencies, while delivering engaging and useful content for the users.

I’m passionate about leveraging technology to enhance creativity and efficiency. I believe that AI, when combined with human ingenuity, can revolutionize the industry, obviously in collaboration with skilled creatives.

I thrive on challenging projects and enjoy collaborating with talented individuals to bring innovative ideas to life. Let’s connect to discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to your team’s success.

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

While my passion for art and design has always been strong, I quickly realized in the “real world” that technical skills alone weren’t enough. No one really cared if the art was good, they wanted to know why it was good and how it benefited the bottom line. For me to truly succeed in the creative industry, I quickly needed a solid understanding of the business side of things.

While my artistic foundation provided a strong creative base, it overlooked the business acumen necessary to thrive in the creative industry and did not explain the practicalities of running a creative business.

To bridge this gap, I’ve had to learn about:

• Financial Management: Budgeting, invoicing, and tax strategies.
• Marketing and Sales: Building a strong brand, attracting clients, and closing deals.
• Business Operations: Managing projects, timelines, and resources efficiently.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding copyright laws, contracts, and professional ethics.

By blending artistic talent with business acumen, I’ve been able to build a fulfilling career. I’m excited to continue learning and growing, and I’m confident that my unique blend of skills will allow me to achieve my goals.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My business goals are always changing to meet new client needs, technological advances, and industries demands. And sometimes its all three. The landscape of creative technology is constantly evolving, with generative AI emerging as a powerful tool. However, many businesses struggle to navigate this complex landscape and leverage AI effectively.

My goal is to bridge this gap and become a leading creative agency that seamlessly integrates human ingenuity with generative AI. By combining our deep understanding of design, technology, and business, we aim to:

• Demystify AI: Make complex AI tools accessible to businesses of all sizes.
• Elevate Creativity: Use AI to enhance human creativity, not replace it.
• Drive Innovation: Stay at the forefront of AI advancements and deliver cutting-edge solutions.
• Build Strong Partnerships: Collaborate with leading AI developers to ensure ethical and sustainable use of technology.

Our mission is to empower businesses to harness the full potential of generative AI and achieve their creative and business objectives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://custompinyatas.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevenrankin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrankin
• Other: Mystic Fog Beer & Co: https://www.instagram.com/mysticfogbeerco