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

Jade, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

As young designer, staying with trends is a valuable skill to have within an ever growing industry. Currently, a hot topic of discussion is the usage of Artificial Intelligence. AI has struck quite a conversation in the design community on whether it’s ethical or not to be used. On one hand, AI has opened doors to new opportunities and tools and on another the Artificial Intelligence has been deemed inauthentic and controversial. Of course, as a designer, the fear of AI devaluing my talent in the industry is a possibility, but to view it as an negative does nothing but stunt my progress as a creative. Let’s face it, AI isn’t going anywhere and it’s only going to get better from here. I believe there a is a way to use AI as a tool to reach furthest limits of design, all while being true and authentic to yourself. I think the key to it is viewing AI as a tool for inspiration, communication, and brainstorming. Artificial intelligence has played a critical role in efficiency and delivering a quality concept without exhausting time. This opportunity has given me more time to focus on designing things that really matter, and I think thats amazing.

Jade, 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?

Hello! I’m Jade Parazo, a designer and illustrator based in Atlanta Georgia. Since I was young, creative expression has always been my outlet to connect with others, but just recently I have decided to turn my passion into a career. Going into college I debated between many majors from Math to Education but finally followed my gut and decided on Design. I have never taken an art class prior to college, so going into blind was a big risk for me. I admit at first, the classes felt foreign, but once I found what I thrived in, I realized this is what I want in my career. Being a graphic designer has given me the opportunity to meet so many talented people in the industry. Although I’m quite novice to the design world, I have been given so many opportunities to grow which has led to me winning a AIGA (or American Institute of Graphic Arts) Award for “best in show”. Support like this is the reason I push myself as a designer everyday.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding part of being a creative is the storytelling. Being a graphic designer isn’t just about composure or colors, but what brand mean to people and how the world perceives it. As a designer it’s our responsibility to find people’s voice and execute it to the world.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think there is this stigma about art school among non-creatives that school is “not worth it” and I whole heartedly disagree. Although I believe you don’t have to go to college to be successful as a creative, there are many opportunities that institutes provide outside of education. Many of my close friends and connections have come from my schools cohort, and I was able to surround myself with creatives at my level and grow with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jadeparazo.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jad.par/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-parazo-93a4961a2/