We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Vaisman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kevin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work since 2007. It has been a long journey, and the thing I have learned the most is that, even though there will always be people who are better than you at specific things (and that’s a tough pill to swallow at times for creatives), you need to find a way to become essential. What I find essential in every team is a problem solver.

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my younger self to be useful at all times and that no job is too small. That is far more important than being the best at one thing, be it design, animation, or compositing. You will not always be doing the most exciting and epic work 100% of the time.

Another important thing, and I think I have always been aware of this, even though it is so simple, is to be likable. You want other people to want to work with you because, especially in the world of motion graphics, you will always work in teams. People will remember you more because you are fun to work with and are down to just work, no matter the scale of the task.

Kevin, 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?

I am an interdisciplinary designer from Caracas, Venezuela. I started my design career in book and information design. After years of working in that field, I decided to pivot to motion design. I made this decision after feeling that, although I loved books and print design, I needed to transition to the digital world somehow, and motion design and animation felt like the right fit for me.

I believe that, just like branding, sound, and UI, animation is now an essential part of any design endeavor. I have worked for over 15 years to hone my craft and become someone who can work alone, manage teams, and give a brand a ‘motion voice’. What sets me apart from other motion designers is that I don’t believe in styles. I think every project deserves its own voice, and it’s my responsibility as a designer to figure out what that is and then be able to execute it. In that sense, I sometimes see myself more as a problem solver, since I think that is what design is meant to do.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I have become someone who is consistently prepared to tackle challenges and solve problems. I frequently emphasize being a ‘problem solver’ because I firmly believe that’s what people value. I don’t consider any task too small; whether it’s a logo design and animation or an entire TV network package, I approach each with enthusiasm. I believe that this attitude of embracing every task with vigor is essential for advancement in this career.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative professional is the opportunity to learn something new every day. With each project being unique, I am continuously exposed to new tools and approaches. Additionally, collaborating with diverse teams and meeting new people is another enriching aspect of the creative process. This collaborative environment fosters learning and knowledge-sharing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vivalaresolution.tv/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vlr.la
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvaisman/