Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alan Munyon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learn the most by just being as hands-on as I can be. I work mostly with computer programs to make my designs come to life, and the first thing I have to do when starting anything new is to figure it out for myself, clicking through every menu, every tool, and wrapping my head around how it all works to see how these different things could be applied to a variety of projects. I think this helps in creating an efficient workflow and ensures I’m not relying on tutorials anytime I need something done. I honestly wish I had started sooner. It wasn’t until late high school that I realized I could pursue a creative career, and not until college that I started using these programs–I can only imagine how much more I could know now if I had started on this path earlier.
I do think what pushes me further into my career is cultivating an eye for design. I am constantly studying not just other designs, but any art, and mentally taking notes on what I think works and doesn’t… figuring out how I could implement those ideas into my work.
The main hindrance I face now is time; I’m always working either at my job or on commissions that I rarely end up taking the time to make up new projects for myself, which is how I experiment and try out new approaches.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have always had an interest in art; it is what I excelled at most growing up. At some point, I moved away from it, trying to conform to norms (being an artsy guy in the Southeast isn’t all that easy) and figure out what my “real career” should be before realizing that simply wasn’t going to work for me and that I could be a creative for my “real career.” I decided I was going to go to college and major in graphic design. After graduating, I moved West to find where my career path would take me. A lot of my work is focused on helping businesses with their brand, logos, and both print and digital advertising, creating everything for them from magazine ads to Instagram reels. I ensure that they are seen positively by creating a professional and cohesive image.
Truthfully, the work I am most proud of is the work I do for less. Music has always been an obsession for me, and after moving West, I fully embraced the local DIY music scene. The imagery of genres like punk, hardcore, and indie rock has consistently been a great source of inspiration for my work, so the art I have done with these types of bands is always going to be my favorite. There is nothing I love more than creating an album cover or a show flyer for cheap and just making sure they throw a CD or shirt my way. These people have created a community around their music, and I want to make sure that I am a part of that in whatever way I can be.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first moved to California, I had a job as an in-house designer for a restaurant owner. I was happy with this and wasn’t focused on really advertising myself as a designer to others because I was already making a living. Unfortunately, almost a year after working in that position, my boss passed away, and I was laid off. Everything changed for me. The job market was abysmal. I sent out over a hundred resumes and applications to hear back from maybe five, saying they weren’t currently interested. It was the first time I had to aggressively advertise myself, so I could just pay rent. I did everything, even started filming TikTok videos of myself talking (a personal nightmare for me) just to put myself out there. Thankfully, I had the support of my family to help me through that time; I absolutely could not have done it without them.

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

I wish I knew just how much was available online for designers while I was in college. There are so many communities where professionals will critique your work and point you in the right direction, and where you can find assets to aid you. After discovering them, it felt like I was on a new level with a ton of new possibilities that I could achieve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alanmunyon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanmunyon
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-munyon
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alanmunyon