We were lucky to catch up with Daniel Zimmerman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
In spring of 2021, Amy Forsythe contacted me via my Instagram page. She said she had been following my page for a while, liked my work, and asked me to collaborate by designing multiple graphics for an upcoming project. Amy informed me she was writing a book about U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton that served since 9/11. I told her I was confident I could help with the graphic needed for this project, especially since I served in Iraq in 2003. I created four, two-page graphic spreads, highlighting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, A Wall of Heroes to honor the fallen and a Memorial Map of Camp Pendleton. I also designed a single-page spread honoring the Marines and Sailor that were killed at the Kabul Airport during the withdraw in August 2021. This project has allowed me the privilege of memorializing the men and women who served our country after the attacks of 9/11. I am deeply honored to have helped secure their legacy for the future generations.
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 have always been passionate about art. From an early age I enjoyed drawing scenes from various comic books I collected. I took every art class offered in school and was convinced I was going study art in college after graduating from high school; but life put me on a different path. I joined the Marine Corps and served for over 11 years in both active duty and in the reserves. While serving in the Marines, I continuted to peruse my interest in art and always had a sketch pad and pencils where ever I was stationed. The first time I was commissioned to create a piece of art, was on active duty for my platoon commander. During my time in the reserves, I used my GI Bill and attend Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in Communcation Design. After returning from my tour in Iraq in 2003, I decided to hang up my dog tags and started my first job as a graphic designer at Dover International Speedway. In 2006 I moved to the DC to for Thompson Publishing company. In 2008, I decided to invest in myself and started my company and named it, Devil Dog Graphix. Since then, I have enjoyed working on various projects such as logos, posters, apparel, billboards, challenge coins, vehicle wraps, social media posts, book covers and web graphics. Since drawing those comic book scenes as a kid, my passion for art has only grown and cannot wait to see what future projects I will create.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
To me the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is seeing my artwork out in the real-world. Whether it is seeing someone wearing a t-shirt, a post on social media or a billboard along the highway, I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to turn my side business into my full-time job. Growing my company large enough to hire other graphic designers and ultimately becoming a creative director.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://devildoggraphix.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devildoggraphix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057611021227&is_tour_dismissed=true
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-zimmerman-9b25913/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devildoggraphix