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

Gavin, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve found in my time as a professional creative that risks always lead to the greatest rewards. From choosing that interesting font to that odd color, or even speaking up when it seems inappropriate. Trusting your gut is what creates success. The start of my journey of catapulting into this industry was one of the biggest risks and challenges I’ve ever faced. Three years ago I decided to leave my small town and embrace change that I knew then and especially know now was life-altering in the highest degree. As a kid, I always struggled with fear, especially as a queer kid in a small southern town. As I grew up that fear turned into an anxiety disorder that halted me from many goals and opportunities. I struggled in school not only in academics but also in making genuine connections with the community around me. At the end of high school, I really started to ask myself “WHY”. Why am I letting the energy around me affect my choices? Why can’t I create my own energy? My own community. I did that very thing. I started connecting with people on a level I had a fear of for a long time. I found power in this. I created an army of compassion around me and it gave me so much strength. I decided to come out and release myself from the burden of growing up in that town. Then I decided to take another risk…Hey if this one worked, why not go bigger…BE BIGGER. I felt like I changed the conversation around being different in my community and it fed my soul. I created avenues of empathy and I found I was very good at it. So I decided to reach further to SCAD. This was the most nerve-racking experience for my small-town mind. I pushed through all the anxiety and let myself thrive. I’ve made PLENTY of mistakes and I’ve taken even more risks that won’t be my last by any means. Because of these decisions, I’m now a creative leader on many teams. Changing conversations and mindsets with every collaborative decision I make. I’ve learned risks are power. You gain knowledge, skills, and friends with every leap you take, So my advice…take more.

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?

Hello, My name is Gavin Bacher. I’m a Designer with a focus on Advertising, graphic design, illustration, and project management. I fell in love with art and design at a very young age because of my sister’s involvement in the arts as I was growing up. This love morphed into an interest in the marriage between people and design. Design is such a social tool that builds beautiful bridges between people and information. I was to be an architect for this bridge in some way, shape, or form. This love has also allowed me to find a passion for leadership as well. This is where I thrive, and where I’ve obtained the most success. I’m currently an Ambassador for SCAD as a student leader, a project manager for our Advertising club, and a lead on multiple student projects. I was also honored with the responsibility to rebrand one of SCAD’s media organizations which you can check out on the SCAD radio Instagram. My goals continue on this path. I would like to work in a career that makes a big difference. Whether it be for a team of people or a design collaborative that helps change the tone socially around various culturally relevant topics. Reach out if you have any cool projects you need help with or want to collaborate on:) If you search my name on LinkedIn or Instagram I’ll pop up and my website is there as well!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I chose this path for myself because of how emotional decisions are within the creative world, It is not about just numbers and logistics to solve problems, It is a very intuitive practice that gets stronger with time. You become an extension of a lot of your projects in ways not many professionals in noncreative industries get to experience. I think another amazing piece of the journey is finally seeing your work posted or displayed in the world.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A big inspiration for my work is emotionally complex pieces and stories that charge the soul. My favorite movie is Lady Bird. This is a great piece that shares the story of the importance of understanding yourself as well as the people around you. No matter how hurtful they are being it’s still important to understand and reflect. Another piece is Abstract on Netflix, which tells the stories of some of the most influential designers of our time. A big philosophy I live by is taking in the content that you wish to reflect in your own work or self-identity. This will create a foundation for growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gavinbacher.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gavin.bacher/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinbacher/

Image Credits
Radio Graphics: SCAD Radio Rebranding Experimental Graphic: SCAD Manor Graphic Coach: Uniquely You Coach Ad Illustraion: My Love made with Photo Picture of me: ME:) Werthers Ads: Werthers: Embrace the Old Ad