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

Tyler, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

The process of learning the programs, styles and overall execution of the systems I wanted to, was pretty unconventional. While I had no formal training whether it be from any type of schooling, a mentor, or even just another person I may have known who was in the particular field I was in, largely, my goal was to emulate the works of artists I held in high regard. I would watch their videos excessively and gain insight through what I was seeing visually. Learning the very simple principles such as the x-axis is left/right, y-axis is up/down, and z-axis is in and out really made me think of receiving and retaining the way I get information and am able to keep it. By simply “dumbing down” the process and jargon, I was able to successfully learn the materials I need to. that way.

Knowing what I know now, I believe I could have had a better scope of what I was doing, by simply looking into tutorials and whatnot of other individuals who are doing what I’m trying to achieve. That and the fact that now I think of the video as a whole, rather than in sections that I’m completing, it allows me to sort of streamline my process, which makes for quicker return times, for both the customer and myself.

The skills I find most necessary regarding the learning aspect of engaging in a software, project, or otherwise, would be two things.
Creativity and perspective.

What stood in the obstacles of me learning more, was primarily myself. Sometimes I feel I’ve hit a wall, sort of like writer’s block. It comes, it goes and sometimes it stays for months. When that occurs, I find myself needing get that extra boost of self-motivation, but it always seems to work out in the end.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In 2018, I created a company called TC Media. The goal was to be able to deliver quality videos to musicians, artists and businesses, as well as hone my own creative ideas into something new and exciting. I got into this industry, by first being in a local band native to St. Louis, MO. When I was 18 is when I finally got exposed to a whole new side of music, which was the lively local scene. I loved every last bit of it, whether it be meeting new people, or getting to go to new cities, it was a blast. Without working with these artists, or if I never had been a part of what was, I may not be doing what I’m doing today.

At TC Media, we provide lyric videos, visualizers, streaming videos, and promotional advertisements. I would say the thing that I’m most proud of, that puts a smile on my face every time, is when a client is happy with the work that I’ve done for them. Seeing customers being satisfied and happy with the final product is always a joy to me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative to me, is the customer/client’s stamp of approval. To see them light up when I send them the final product makes me motivated to not only continue what I’m doing, but to become increasingly better with everything I do. To know that their vision that they had in mind was able to come to life on screen as they would see it is such a great thing to me and in turn, makes me happy as well.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Whether you consider yourself a creative person, or even a non-creative person, one of the things I think a lot of people including myself deal with through the process of coming up with something, is imposter syndrome. The feeling of doubt, of worry, of being anxious that you’re not doing good enough can really set you back if you completely give into those negative feelings. I find that for me, when I’m feeling this way, I need to take a step back and realize everything will be okay and I shouldn’t beat myself up so much.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Tylercobillas
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Tylercmedia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Y7T4N1YuEhp5iHMFuUb-PEkCQBqfKUs