We were lucky to catch up with Riri Tamura recently and have shared our conversation below.

Riri , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

This year, I was laid off from my full-time job as a Visual Designer and had to take a risk of pursuing freelance full-time. Prior to the lay off, I have been freelancing but was nervous to take the leap to take my creative business full-time. An unfortunate circumstance has allowed me the opportunity to finally take the risk of running my own creative business. During the last couple of months, I have learned and grown so much as designer. It has also allowed me to actually be able to work on projects that I enjoy and have a passion for.

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?

My name is Riri Tamura, I am a designer and hand lettering artist based in San Diego, CA. I am a lover of all things creative and passionate about working on projects that create positive social impacts. I have experience with working with some of the most world renown clients like Adobe, Twitter, Walmart, Good Good Good and more.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Early on in my career, I wish there was more communities like Asians in Advertising. I am so fortunate to be a part of such a great organization that strives to support AAPI creatives in the advertising industry. Everyone in the community is so welcoming and willing to share their experiences. If I had an organization like Asians in Advertising when I started out my creative journey, I think it would have allowed me to progress faster in my career and expand my opportunities as a creative.

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

The best way society can do to support creatives is to work and share artistic talents, whether its on social media or between people. I believe that creatives are undervalued and most people do not realize the importance of working with creatives.   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.riritamura.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riri-tamura/