We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jeff, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
The balance between the commodification of art and design and viewing them as a practice rooted in the humanities has been a battle throughout recorded history. Those who enter my current industry—theatre arts—often do so with the hope of flexing their artistic and design talents, but they quickly encounter the tug-of-war between creative expression and the need to pay the bills.
Artists and designers tend to lean toward the idealistic side of creating, while Corporate America focuses on cost efficiency.
In my career, however, I’ve observed that corporations that prioritize quality design and art also demonstrate a genuine commitment to their own mission statements. On the other hand, institutions that treat quality design and art as tertiary concerns often project a facade of caring for their customers and values. The most successful companies and brands seem to deeply understand how art and design reflect their core principles.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I often define myself as a visual problem solver. My career has spanned multiple fields, including serving as an army engineer in the military, working as a fine art printmaker, corporate artist and designer, product designer, graphic designer, and currently, a costume artisan. From the beginning, my goal has been to engage actively in the process of creating while making a living.
To me, being an artist and designer is about solving problems and telling stories. While telling my own story is fulfilling, helping others tell theirs and bringing their ideas to life is more rewarding. Seeing a person’s eyes light up when they see the finished product—and knowing they understand the impact it will have on their life—brings immense value to my own. Whether it’s a printed piece for an artist to sell, a product a company successfully markets on Amazon, or a costume parading through a theme park, these moments are what motivate me every day.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My entire career has been one of opportunism. However, living in the moment and being a “yes man” has revealed faults in my approach to life.
The Covid lockdown forced me to confront my priorities. While I was deeply focused and dedicated to my work at the time, I realized I hadn’t invested enough effort into expanding my horizons or reaching my full potential. Despite my loyalty to a company or idea, the bottom line ultimately dictates decisions. When the numbers don’t add up, anyone can find themselves out of a job.
The pandemic, combined with the resulting economic fallout, made everyone in theater arts acutely aware of their own professional fragility. The specific skill set in my field isn’t widely transferable to other industries. Because of this, I began pursuing a master’s degree in Media Design, anticipating a pivot back to digital arts and design—where my passion has always been. Survival instincts and my drive to apply my skills in arts and design guided my decisions at the time, but now I have the opportunity to make more planned and deliberate choices for my career.
That said, the soft skills developed in any arts and design field are highly transferable. My current goal is to craft a narrative that bridges my diverse work history, one that reflects my intense drive to succeed, passion for my projects, and love for my craft.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The economy is filled with jobs that support society and our fellow humans, but few contribute to the moral and mental health of society as profoundly as arts and design.
Think about the moments that become core memories—perhaps a concert, a day at a theme park, a video game you loved, or a TV series that resonated with you.
Many aspects of our economy fade into the background, like the car we drive to work or the subway we take to school. While these creations add immense value to our lives, they often go unnoticed.
What I do for a living stands apart. It becomes part of your consciousness—a moment where you’re fully present, taking in the experience. It’s something you recall, reminisce about, or share enthusiastically with friends or online. Knowing I’m part of that—whether it’s helping someone take pride in their business through graphic design, creating costumes for actors in theme parks or on TV—drives me. It’s a privilege to contribute to the moments that matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://FinaEmpire.com
- Instagram: Finaempire
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finaempire
