We were lucky to catch up with Valeria Diaz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Valeria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Although I have always been an artistic person, it wasn’t until I was in my freshmen year of college that I decided to pursue Illustration as my career. I started taking art seriously in elementary school but I didn’t think about the possibility of turning it into my career until I kept changing my major and being unhappy no matter what I was studying. A friend whom I hadn’t seen in a while was pursuing art and encouraged me to do the same. I pondered about it for a long time, I would have to leave home and move to another state if I decided that this was the path I decided to take. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to go to art school so I had to transfer from my college and attend Savannah College of Art and Design.

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

I am a Venezuelan Illustrator and Designer. I was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, and moved to Florida when I was 12 years old. I graduated from SCAD with a BFA in Illustration and a concentration in Surface Design. My work is characterized by its youthfulness, bright colors, and soft aesthetic. I focus on making content for the apparel and paper goods industry. I also freelance and do children’s books and book covers. I interned with The Children’s Place in Secaucus, New Jersey over the summer where I was in the Girls Graphics Team with an amazing team that taught me the necessary knowledge to make it in the industry. I run my own small store on Etsy where I sell stickers and prints of my work!

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

I wish that I knew that it was okay to pivot in your life no matter what life stage you may be at, even now, out of school and starting in the industry, it is never too late to commit to something different applying what you’ve learned so far. The biggest resources have been my professor and classmates, we learn mutually, even from our mistakes.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As I start my career and carefully consider every step I want to continue to learn from my peers in the industry and also share what I learn along the way. I want to be able to make a living as an in-house designer with a company where I feel I fit in and I want to make a name for myself in the publishing industry by having many books out in stores that I can take pride in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://valeriadiazart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriadiazart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-diaz-a31183206/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/valeriadiazart
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/valeriadiazartshop?ref=shop_sugg_market