We recently connected with Billboard Chaz and have shared our conversation below.
Billboard , appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I learned to do what I do just by being a super hands on learner. Once I got my hands on photoshop it was really just practice practice practice and a whole lot of trial and error until I got to the point where I am now with it and it’s second nature. Something I could have done to speed up the process would have probably been going to school to learn the foundational skills and fundamentals. Since I’m self taught I learned everything on my own. This was well before YouTube University so whatever I little tips and tricks I didn’t learn I just didn’t know. The skill that I have that is most essential is my Vision. No one can see things the way that I do Creatively and come up with such amazing attention grabbing out the box concepts. I’ve learned to master coming from a precise perspective on visual projects that few would even think to consider that’s often a perfect fit for the objective at hand. As far as obstacles in my way from learning more I’d have to be absolutely honest and say myself. I definitely found myself staying in my creative comfort zone where I was really good at instead of pushing myself to continuously learn and perfect every lane in visual marketing. Now that I’m out my own way I thoroughly enjoy pushing myself to now learn Illustrator, Premiere and After Effects to soon become a master of those as well!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a young black talented and extremely passionate Creative Director originally from New Haven Connecticut but grew up in Atlanta Ga. I’ve been designing since the Black Planet and Migente days back when I was in middle school. Designing my friends profiles and making girls little cute graphics of their names.. Real Romantic Geek vibes lol. I got put on to the Arts by my older brother who was always the Artistic Genius in the family. He could free hands anything with ease and would create these jaw dropping graffiti pieces. Shit was like magic and I wanted parts so I grew up trying to trace his artwork and bringing his sketch book to school with me showing it off and cap’n like it was mine. Hadn’t really thought about how people would then want me to draw things for them so I had no choice but to really learn how to draw to keep the front up lol. Back then it was bubble letters and random character sketches these days I’m designing billboard ads and developing social media campaign and company websites. The problem that I love for my clients is helping them look the part. Making sure that their face card is always in the best professional clean top tier light. I have a passion for making small business look Forbes and Fortune500 ready. I’m so proud of how many times I’m able to look up at random post online, viral YouTube Videos, and Netflix shows and say “ Wow yo look. I did that right there!” I’ll never forget the first time I saw one of my designs up in lights on a billboard. Definitely a feeling like no other.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
My views on NFTs are that I honestly don’t fully understand the whole movement but I’m trying my damnedest to learn quickly before I miss the wave lol. Just because you don’t fully understand something doesn’t mean you should be so quick to dismiss and discredit it. I believe it definitely has the potential to be amazing especially for the creatives so I’m all for it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I have this super dope victory speech that I dream of giving to my whole staff and network when I finally make it and my Creative Directing Firm is a huge success. People always ask me about the name of my firm “Spit Laugh Media” and on that day when I give my speech I’ll get to finally explain to everyone where it came from and why it means so much to me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.instagram.com/billboard.chaz
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefirm.SLM
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-foreman-99258966
- Youtube: OfficialYangGangTv
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/Ee8u9bjwXsb