We were lucky to catch up with Helynn Hallock recently and have shared our conversation below.

Helynn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I was 14 years old when I first discovered Graphic Design – I was always the kid who loved to play in Microsoft Paint and with Word Art – but at 14 years old I was gifted my first edition of Photoshop. I spent every waking second in that program, watching tutorials on Youtube – and thinking how I was SOOOOO good. When it came time to decide what I wanted to pursue as a career, there was only ever Graphic Design – so it was finding the most conducive place for me, and I found that home at Full Sail University.

At Full Sail I was challenged to learn new programs, think creatively, and push myself beyond what I thought was possible.
While I’ve always had a passion for print design, Full Sail pushed me to learn a bunch of different mediums – web, audio, video, copy writing, and so much more!

I stood in my way for the longest time, I thought I could do it all and didn’t need help – and I wish I could go back in time and ask so many more questions to those that were around me. I learned that people’s experiences are all different and that we should all share so we all learn more, together.

Helynn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name’s Helynn Hallock, and I hail from humble beginnings, ya know Microsoft Paint – and I’m an artist through and through. At a young age my Nana would teach me everything she knew about art, we’d spend our days painting and drawing together. I credit my creativity to her.

When I got to my teenage years I preferred my time on the computer than I did to the people around me. I would fiddle with home design programs, basic HTML, and flyer designs. Myspace was starting to become a thing when I turned 14, and my favorite celebrity didn’t have a logo or branding – so I figured I would submit it to him – next thing I knew, Ryan Sheckler, was using my designs! It was a dream come true.

As I got older, and I started to hone my craft, I begged my mother to attend Full Sail University – it was the only place that told me from Day 1, I would be in art classes pertaining to design. While at Full Sail, I made connections with people that would last a life time, and knowledge that would propel my hunger to be in the design industry.

3 months after graduation, and a little bit of enjoying not having anything to do – I moved cross country to pursue my dream of working at Nike. While no one was responding to my job applications, my Aunt suggested I reach out for informational interviews, and the folks at Gallagher Designs took the time to chat with me. The next day I get a call from them offering me their first and only internship – they had made a role just for me. The internship was slated to last 6 months, but they loved me so much that it lasted a little longer, then they realized I was ready for my next step.

I moved to Denver to pursue Sports Authority, thinking that Denver weather would be better than Portland, Oregon – but I was surprised both with a layoff and negative 7 degree weather, so that didn’t last too long.

I moved back to Orlando and tried to pursue packaging design, when I came across a role at Dixon Ticonderoga (ya know, THE #2 pencil!) and it all just fit together! I was there for a few months before Bob Ross was brought in and I was told that I would be rebranding their packaged goods, I was 23 and ready for this challenge. I dove deep into who Bob was and why he made the choices he did and tried to display that on his art supplies packaging, it hit shelves in the UK and sold 330% better in 6 months than it had in years previously, what a success.

One day I logged into my LinkedIn to see a recruiter had found me, because of the Bob Ross rebranding, and asked me if I would be interested in a contract design role at Disney, OF COURSE I WOULD?! When the Mouse calls – you can’t say no.

I took a massive chance, I left a full time role for a contract role, I lost all of my benefits – but THIS WAS DISNEY!!

After 9 months of being a contractor, I was brought on Full Time as the Retail Creative Graphic Designer. That means I was in charge of designing our retail locations for our Disney Parks and Resorts. An easy was of describing that role was if you walk into a store on Main Street, it should feel like you’re in victorian era, if you don’t feel that way – I didn’t do my job correctly. I was blessed to bring the Vault collection alive for our 50th celebration at Walt Disney World,3 interiors and 7 windows!!

After that project wrapped, I felt like I had hit my ceiling with the team, how could I possibly outdo the 50th?!

Luckily a role on the packaging team at Disney had opened up, and I scooped it up faster than my director could ask me to join.

For the last year I’ve been hard at work designing our merchandise packaging, some has started to hit shelves and I’m so honored to be a part of the incredible brand that is The Walt Disney Company.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a graphic designer is being able to shape the brand and brand perception for our guests and clients. I get to direct your eye where I want you to go. I get to shape your experience with our brands and your experience with our product or retail locations.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Speaking first.

I always get so excited and I always want to share the knowledge I have in this big head of mine. I quickly learned in my career that if I speak first, I dictate the flow of the conversation. If I had taken a moment and let the more experienced people in the room speak first, I would have the opportunity to learn so much more.

Sit down and listen guys!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.helynnhallock.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helynnhallock/