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

Adrián, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Learning is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Each time I embark on something new, it’s a process of figuring out what I need to do and how to do it. Over the years, I’ve honed skills that I sometimes forget or neglect, only to rediscover and reapply them when tackling fresh projects.

Experience has taught me that perfection isn’t always attainable, and that’s okay. Not every finished piece will match my initial vision, but it’s important to accept that and keep moving forward. Persistence is key to learning.

I’ve come to believe that focus and confidence are crucial skills. Being able to concentrate and having the courage to share your work, wherever it may be, is liberating. It allows you to explore different directions without fear. Just like any skill, practice is essential to make focus and confidence second nature.

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?

I’m Adrian Oviedo from Monterrey, Mexico. I’ve always had a knack for drawing ever since I was a little kid. Back then, it was just a hobby—a way to pass the time and express myself. It never crossed my mind that it could turn into a career.

After high school, I found myself exploring different paths, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. But no matter what I tried, I kept gravitating back to drawing. It was like a magnet pulling me in, urging me to pursue it further.

Eventually, I made the decision to enroll in design college. It felt like the natural next step for me.

In my work, I wear many hats. On one hand, there’s the “commercial” aspect of my job. This involves working with clients to create a visual identity that speaks to who they are and what they stand for. It’s not always easy, though. Sometimes, clients themselves aren’t quite sure what they want or need. That’s where my role expands beyond just designing. I become a creative consultant, helping them craft their narrative, tone, and overall image. It’s about building a solid foundation upon which we can layer the graphic elements to create something truly impactful.

Then, there’s what I like to call my “me” work. This is where I get to unleash my creativity and create illustrations, commissions, and collaborations in my own unique style. It’s more than just a side gig—it’s a way for me to connect with myself and the world around me. It’s where I can truly be myself and express my thoughts, feelings, and experiences through art.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I used to stress so much about not messing up, about perfecting every little detail until it was absolutely flawless. I’d nitpick my own work to death, convinced it wasn’t good enough to show to anyone.

I’d get caught up in this loop of constantly trying to improve, but it was like chasing my tail. I’d never finish anything because there was always something else to fix. It was frustrating, to say the least.

But then I had a bit of an epiphany. I realized that nothing’s ever going to be 100% perfect. So now, when I finish a project and it feels right, I call it done. I don’t keep going back to tweak it endlessly.

Sure, there might be things I’d change later on, but I’ve learned to let it be and move on. I’d rather have a few imperfect pieces that I can look back on and see how I’ve grown, than a bunch of half-finished ones gathering dust.

And you know what? Looking back, I’ve come to realize that my work wasn’t half bad after all. It’s all part of the process, I guess. You improve over time, and eventually, you’ll see just how far you’ve come.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being creative has truly been a revelation for me. We have limited options in social life as we’re still confined to such narrow roles, limiting our scope for genuine self-expression. However art and creativity are independent from those roles allowing for a deeply personal exploration of one’s identity.

I enjoy being creative, and this is a kind of joy that comes from inside, being creative allows me to enjoy myself, to live a process of creation sometimes not knowing the end result. I think being creative is what makes my human experience real.

While it’s true that I could navigate through life without art, it gives my existence depth and significance, enriching my human experience and infusing it with meaning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/adrianoviedo
• Instagram: @perroviedo