Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerm V. Dweeb Kil.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jerm V. (Dweeb Kil.), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I currently run/operate a merchandise brand & creative performance by the name of “Dweeb Kil.” (@dweebkil): Throughout the East Coast (in spots across North Carolina, Georgia, & Florida). This kind of creative endeavor is made to house my artwork/illustrations, streetwear I can screen print & fashion into existence, & the catalog of revolving creative collectibles I’ve made to purchase at various vending markets/events. As a freelancing graphic design artist, I conduct creative design work within digital/artwork assembly sessions: Tailored to advertise newly found (or existing) brands, music/bands, & beginning small businesses (through my own illustrative packaging design service “Valentine Heart Studio Art”). I’ve definitely found more meaning in this venture; interacting within new partnerships & budding creative opportunities I tend to gravitate towards.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m an emerging creative artist recently graduating (from Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC) with an associate’s degree in Advertising & Graphic Design! I spent 4+ years honing my craft, adopting new tutelage, & even creating digital/physical artwork along the way. This was between the Autumn of 2017 going into mid-2022! The span of time is where I enjoyed doodling illustrations made for stickers & my own t-shirt designs. It totally grew into a cycle of creative challenges I wanted to conjure up (like movie poster projects I’d composite for school assignments, or new merch I’d draw up in light of my creative brand of both music & artwork(s)).

The branded/illustrated streetwear I sell & style came into fruition due to my want for the creative performance itself to uphold as a focused grunge/punk act of sorts. As the incentive written on the backside of my “Dog Faced Dweeb Kil. Concert Tees” depicts: The brand Dweeb Kil. engages an audience of concert goers as well! The illustrations made for t-shirts, hats, and new accessories aid in the visual appeal/recognition of what my brand could be. In the same way you’d make album cover artwork to promote new music you want popularized, my creative performance acts to match the style of dress you’d probably see apparent in my own line of artwork.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

I’d say there’s (at least) two major goals driving my creative journey:

One goal is to adapt my own artwork (style, influence, etc.) into a medium of reachable artwork – whether digital or physical. I’ve often joked about “dominating the world with my own artwork” & have since made it a mission to find outlets that feel purposeful enough to where each interaction I deliver carries meaningful weight behind it. In a creative community comprised of artists & normal folks, this can be found in online music you’re able to hear, or upcoming installations/art exhibits you’ve got access to.

The second goal would be doing something that bares likeness to what I do as a creative artist in Dweeb Kil. – just more on a professional & lucrative level. This ensures that I’m not counted out as just an “artist” all around! This is the foundation for why I created an illustrative packaging design service made for incoming (willing) clients who hope to work with me somehow – outside of outlandish developments I do envision. Delving into tactical marketing strategies & mapping out worthwhile investments, I’d like to understand small business owners and creatives alike – in places made to connect, learn, and get inspired authentically.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

E-commerce platforms (Venmo, Paypal, Cashapp, Zelle, etc.) & supportive creative sites (like Bandcamp, Bigcartel, Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe, & Soundcloud) definitely aid a bunch of serious artists who need the extra exposure & authenticity for their own performances to shine in immediate fashion(s). Keeping this kind of connectivity alive & well (in good hands) can intermingle with different social events! Events like these are coordinated to gather creatives with mission statements & pair them with consumers/supporters ready to admire, talk, & hopefully adopt a form of brand loyalty – on & offline. This happens as you’re buying a band’s t-shirt, trading stickers with an admirable new artist, or having enlightening conversations with actual people with alike affinities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dweebkiljermmerch.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: @dweebkil
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jermaine-valentine-169mtv/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZN5w2qXgPsWP4UIxWg-SDA
• Other: https://linktr.ee/dweebkiljerm https://www.behance.net/jermainvalenti https://valentineheartstudioart.com/

Image Credits
All images/graphics present in this submission (November 7th, 2022) were either assembled or taken by myself + family members. Thank you!