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

Harbin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

Sometimes, I can be quite impulsive when a new idea strikes me. It’s like witnessing the spontaneous germination of a thought in my mind, and I often feel a compelling urge to spring into action immediately. However, it’s no surprise that these ideas tend to surface when I’m on a bus, in the middle of a movie, or during a meeting. In such moments, I simply jot them down or make quick sketches, intending to further develop and refine them later, using both traditional sketches and digital software.

Nevertheless, my favorite part of the creative process is when I bring all these elements together into a cohesive final artwork. I take great pleasure in ensuring that every component communicates a strong concept, weaves a compelling narrative, and results in a memorable and aesthetically pleasing piece of art.

Harbin, 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?

I’m a dynamic art director, specializing in the creative realms of Brand Identity Design, Illustration, and Photography.

My journey into the vibrant world of graphic design kicked off when I was just 16, back when Tumblr was riding high – oh, the good ol’ Tumblr days, right? At that time, I genuinely believed Tumblr was here to stay forever. Little did I know that it would be the platform where I discovered a treasure trove of super cool artists from around the world, setting the stage for my own creative adventures over the next decade. I yearned to be just like those artists and turn my art into a way of life, you know?

Those Tumblr days marked the beginning of my artistic voyage, and each day was a fresh canvas for me to experiment, learn, and grow. I immersed myself in the world of graphic design, passionately perfecting my understanding of composition and mastering various design software. Looking back, I see that my journey has been a consistent rhythm – an ever-evolving dance of learning and applying, but now with a more intense focus on the real market. I’ve had the thrill of collaborating with power players and crafting connections with incredible brands.

In the present, my creative energy is channeled into crafting striking Brand Identities for entrepreneurs and companies looking to revamp their visual identity. I also dive headfirst into creating awesome illustrations for some pretty rad bands like Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, The Strokes, and others who set the stage on fire!

What excites me the most these days is sharing my creative wisdom. I love teaching others how to infuse art into their projects from an art director’s perspective, and witnessing awesome results. The thrill of passing on the knowledge I’ve gathered over fourteen years is truly beautiful, and I can’t get enough of it.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

For me, it’s always about the excellent treatment, top-notch service, and diligent follow-up – these elements mean the world to me. It all boils down to empathy and connecting with people.

My primary goal is to ensure that everything goes smoothly, communication remains crystal clear, and I didn’t realize that these qualities were building my reputation until some clients shared these heartwarming comments with me.

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

This is undeniably romantic, but there’s profound beauty in contributing to the enhancement of our world from my side (the visual art). Yet, deep within me, I am awestruck by the ability to shape, transform, or give tangible form to abstract concepts, like the very essence of an idea – it’s a kind of magic.

For some years now, I’ve come to believe that all ideas are welcomed in a special realm. I refer to it as the creative soul, or the creative dimension. Gaining access to this realm, connecting with the collective consciousness of the universe, is nothing short of astonishing. In this sense, we become an extension of something greater than ourselves, a higher creative force, and this perspective transcends any specific religious beliefs. It’s akin to being a part of the creators, offering a gateway to the spirituality of higher frequencies.

Contact Info:

• Website: harbinharrison.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/harbinharrison
• Facebook: facebook.com/harbinharrison
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-hh
• Twitter: twitter.com/harbinharrison

Image Credits
Harbin Harrison