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

Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I learned a great deal from my parents and those lessons are applicable to my life and my career. My mom was taught by her father to “be good to yourself and everybody else.” That’s one thing that I’ve taken literally during the course of my life. I’ve always been kind to others because as my mom used to say, “you never know what someone is going through.”

My father took a lot of pride in whatever he did and he strived to do his best regardless of the task. I adapted that same approach. When I do a task, my name is on it and I make sure that it’s done to my standard.

Brian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey to becoming a graphic designer started at Georgia State University as an engineering major. I thoroughly enjoy my new found freedom and as a result I found myself going through academic warning, supervision and probation. One semester away from being kicked out, I began taking art classes as academic boosters. Art was natural to me because I had been drawing since the 4th grade. In my second year of art classes, I heard a classmate say that his major was graphic design. That piqued my interest, so I did some research and was like, “I can use computer software to draw on the computer?! That’s craaaazy!” I immediately changed my major to graphic design.

My first graphic design class was a nightmare. I had no idea how to use the computer programs and was limited in what I could do. I got better by the following semester but my portfolio wasn’t selected for the graphic design program. That summer I pleaded with my mom for a Mac, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. I spent all of my free time teaching myself those programs. The new school year started and my mission was to get into that design program. I began taking classes seriously and got accepted into the program that year. The graphic design program was two years and it was no easy feat. I endured a few challenges but they all made me the designer that I am today!

I began my own freelance business while in school. I did logos for friends and family but to be honest they were a little sketchy lol. I went on to freelance for the next fifteen years or so. June of last year I bet on myself and began Carcher Graphics. Carcher is an ode to my parents. My father grew up on Carter Avenue in East Lake, GA and my mom grew up on Archer Street in Waycross, GA. We specialize in brand identity design but we also design brochures, flyers, social media graphics, etc. At Carcher Graphics we help business owners define their brand by crafting brand identities to establish trusting business relationships with their clients.

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

The most rewarding aspect of design is helping others bring their dreams to reality. Taking my clients ideas and translating them to a visual design is my happy place.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Losing both of my parents a year and three months apart was the most devastating experience I’ve ever experienced. It was a challenge mentally, physically and spiritually. I didn’t think I’d ever have an interest in design or anything else for that matter again. Today I have a new outlook on life and try not to take anything for granted. I still have my days but the good outweigh the bad so I’m grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iambrianculpepper.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carchergraphics
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianculpepper/

Image Credits
Cover photo (Tobias Smith Photography)