We were lucky to catch up with Davian Chester recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Davian, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project to me so far was with the black dating app BLK. This was also my first major client at the start of my Brand Storytelling. This project was great because the client saw potential in my art, was wonderful to work with, and the finished project had a huge impact on my work.
BLK came to me with an idea about Valentine’s Day and to have an illustrated story showcasing the dating world during COVID. This was great to me because it was in line with what I do-Illustrating the Black Experience. The process was great, we had a tight deadline, but I work fast so everything worked out. It was great to create a story centered around black love. They were also very determined on making sure I was commissioned higher than my initial asking price since it was a different industry. That was amazing.
Once the project was done we were able to post the illustrations on our social networks. We shared a story as well as engaged our audiences with their stories. The campaign also got picked up by ESSENCE. They featured me and shared my work. It was the start of becoming a brand storyteller and doing similar projects for other brands and companies.
Davian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Well, my name is Davian Chester, and Illustrate the Black Experience! I create illustrations, graphics, and animations highlighting us as a culture!
I was always drawing since elementary school. I would always enjoy drawing requested pictures for people. I loved to see their reaction to something they wanted me to draw. In Highschool, I switched to digital art when my art teacher and my technology teacher got together and suggested I try. I never went back! I would always draw little digital cartoons of my friends. Then practically the whole school wanted me to draw them. I drew all of the teachers and the school launched a game to see which students could guess them all for a prize.
I started charging for requested drawings, Then that later turned into me creating an LLC and starting a Graphic Design business. I would create logos, banners, social media designs, illustrations, cartoons, and comics.
I always enjoyed creating characters and telling stories with my art. Soon I started drawing different scenarios and asking a question for people to share their thoughts on what they saw. That later turned into Illustrating the Black Experience.
In 2019, I was the artist that created the Juneteenth Google doodle that went viral. I was going to create a Juneteenth Piece for my social media, but I went to search for something on Google and saw they did not have a doodle. They make one for everything! I quickly changed my idea and just made a design and posted that online. I tagged Google and said: “So I noticed that @Google didn’t make a doodle for Juneteenth. I decided to help out! lol”
That design went viral and was everywhere! I was being interviewed by my local news and other cities/brands. It was such an amazing and overwhelming feeling. It got the attention of Google, and they later created a Juneteenth Doodle the following years. I became the “Juneteenth Guy” and all of that attention boosted my business and my name.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I actually have been thinking about this a lot. I also recently started speaking to different companies and brands about this!
I believe everyone can best support artists and creatives by working with them, crediting their work, and giving them a platform to show us what they can do.
When I say working with them I do mean commissioned work, and not having them do their hard work for “exposure” or exchange of services. Artists and creatives who do use their skills to earn a living have it really tough. Most of us do like to create just to create, so when sharing or mentioning their work- do not steal it or try to pass it off as your own! That’s the worst.
Many companies and brands like to use “black culture” in their marketing or campaigns because it’s hot or the new trend. Being black is not a trend. So they also try to do it themselves. No. Please be authentic and hire an artist that could best represent what you’re trying to do! I would just say give them what they deserve! This goes to regular people as well! For those who want to commission an artist but want to get a cheaper price.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I actually have heard so much about NFTs. I am currently trying to take some time to study them myself and to see if that is something I can hop on board. Coming from a digital background seeing the stories piqued my interest. But my knowledge is limited, and I wanted to say that I have heard both sides of the conversation. Being that it could still be a hustle and do more harm than good and that it could be the best thing a digital artist could do. But I have to find out for myself.
So if anyone is reading this and would like to share insights I am so down!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DavianChester.com
- Instagram: @real_toons
- Facebook: www.FB.com/RealToons
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davian-chester-3bb112a3/
- Twitter: @real_toons
- Youtube: Davian Chester
- Other: www.Behance.net/DavianChester