We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James Thigpen Jr.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James below.

Hi James, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

There’s no difference in an artist and creative, in my opinion. If you’re not a creative then you’re recording exactly what you see, no imagination, no thought, just a machine. I’m happy being both.

I had a moment around the beginning of the pandemic where I wanted a regular job, yes. It was a mistake. The thought derived from the pain of being a graphic designer with no structure. I was accepting any job that would get me a dollar; hustling is what I call it. Often, I thought hustling was the way to make it out of situations that I put myself in financially, but I found the most freedom when choosing projects I actually felt invested in, projects that made me excited. Structure came when I accepted projects that I was actually interested in because I’d have to find the time to “play”; I didn’t have to force myself to get back to work.

James, 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?

Around the 2nd grade I knew I was an artist, believe it or not. I went to career day with a paintbrush, an apron, and some type of hat I thought finished the look. I didn’t have early training outside of art classes which were still a thing once a week at school. My parents, and older sister were vital in me developing my confidence. I’d draw pictures for my sister, who may actually still have them. My parents allowed her and I to paint in a room in the basement with no restriction, and I believe it built my imagination.

In my junior year of high school I was accepted to a skills center to learn visual communication, and my professor encouraged me that I was strongest in graphic design, so I remained in it for the following year which put me ahead of the curve for my undergrad. I took the job as a lab assistant in the graphic design lab so I spent a large portion of my life at that time creating, or around creatives. This was also the early 2000’s mixtape era where music became more accessible to create due to software like Fruity Loops, and Pro Tools. It’s important to mention, because I’d go to the local music studio after work and, the producers and rappers became my first customers. I’d make their logos for $100. I remember a lot of the guys coming in to the lab at once and worrying the students and staff who were there at the time. I enjoyed knowing I was the bridge from the ghetto to the academic world.

My first career job was right out of undergrad. I began working for the college’s relations department, creating visuals for literally everything at the university. It was a challenge because up to that point I’d never felt like I was a threat to anyone, but that’s the only thing I could think of that made the senior designer be so unpleasant towards me. It was a very passive aggressive energy I’d have to endure for a little over a year before resigning, moving to a major city and designing myself.

It was New York, 2013. I began working in music 2015, which is why I moved in the first place. It’s definitely a highlight of my life. During the time I was around some of the top musicians in the world. It taught me class, and gave me a sense of my own individuality. That, mixed with the shows I’d put on once a year myself gave me a voice unlike anyone. The last show I did was at Microsoft’s 5th Avenue Flagship location. They opened the second floor to me for a day, and I took over every appliance and screen, illustrating that the work I was creating digitally didn’t need to go on canvas to be considered fine art. I think about the pandemic and laugh, feeling I was a bit ahead of the curve. I smirk knowing that my back and forth over charcuterie with the “seasoned artist” was waisted if they never realize I was right. That was 2016. I’d move back to Michigan the following year to become a first time father.

Now, I have a level of confidence that I never knew. I trust my gut a lot more, and have been successful often; not only in the arts, but in marketing. I finally earned the title of creative director in 2020 when I accepted the role for a well known apparel brand. I’d accepted the role with a handshake, and after all that I gone through the years prior I could tell the difference from a scam and an opportunity. This was the opportunity that helped me reimagine myself, know my strength, and create like a mad man! The opportunity earned me the portfolio, and knowledge to accept a position in the cannabis industry a year later as a brand manager for one of the local brands. In a year I saw us become the brand that every company looked to. The team’s structure, the tenacity, the gritty attitude, all made it such a pleasure to work in the industry, and to this day I am still in contact with both brands.

Now, I work in three sectors outside of fatherhood. I’m an artist, a business owner, and creative director for the longest standing multicultural agencies. Daily, I create campaigns for some of the worlds most notable brands. Aside from that I also do projects that I feel good about. It’s fun for me to consult and assist brands with developing.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I don’t understand them, and I’m at peace with that.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

That I don’t have to put on a show. I can unapologetically be me. I don’t have to have all of the answers, but I do believe it’s part of my purpose to create the conversations.

Contact Info:

• Website: myeightonezero.com
• Instagram: jamesthigpenjr.com

Image Credits
Personal Photo by Jessica Hatter