We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andi Valdes Valdes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andi below.

Andi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I studied Graphic Design at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I took typography, motion graphics, web design, and general graphic design classes and I think that the most important skill I learned while in school was to be able to also teach myself things (although typography is pretty key, too). Something I wish I’d done was try to learn motion graphics by myself before taking the class, that way I would get the most out of it.

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 a Mexican graphic designer based in Minneapolis, MN. I have designed identity systems (i.e. branding), one-off logos, posters, t-shirts, websites, etc. One of my favorite projects was the branding identity for PWK.co, which is a furniture design small business by Peyton Woller. I designed a logo, color scheme, illustrations, business cards, packaging, and I’m currently in the process of designing his website. I’m really excited to work on that because I love Peyton’s work and want to translate his 3D aesthetics into 2D design.

My clients know that I love typography and always want that to look right. A readable message is one that communicates and that should be the main goal of a design solution. In the same vein, I like to experiment with type that is unconventional. I feel like something that looks different and new is something that people will want to work hard to be able to read. So even if it isn’t super legible, it’s still readable.

While I can design stuff that is more conventional/commercial, I definitely have the most fun with experimental projects where I have a lot of freedom and can take paths that I wouldn’t usually think of. Also I love drawing so if I can incorporate that into a project, I will!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice

I hate them :-)

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To think of something and be able to create it / design it is the most rewarding part of it. Not even the end product, just the fact that I am able to make something myself. It’s empowering.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andivaldes.xyz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andivaldesvaldes/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-valdes-valdes/
• Other: https://www.are.na/andi-val2