We recently connected with Michael Khamo and have shared our conversation below.
Michael , appreciate you joining us 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?
Thankfully, I have been able to make a living from my creative work. The biggest struggle was leaving my full-time job and making that jump into being my own boss. At the time when I left my job at the church, my wife and I just had a baby, and we had a mortgage to pay. The questions of “will I make enough every month to support my family and pay bills?” “Will I get more or lose clients when I make the jump?” “Do I have what it takes to do this?” All of these questions ran through my head every time I was thinking of officially going full-time freelance, and this humbled me for over a year. I was holding myself back by allowing fear to creep in and not allowing God to work through my life and my career.
Shoutout to my beautiful wife Desiree for always encouraging me and reminding me that I had what it takes to do this. And she was 100% right! She is my biggest fan and my rock. I love you babe!
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 back background and context?
My Uncle was a graphic designer, and Corel Draw was the first creative software that I interacted with when I was a kid. Years later, I volunteered at my church under the in-house graphic designer and was amazed by Photoshop and illustrator and wanted to do that. I really liked his desk setup, too, with the double monitors. I loved it so much that this made me switch my major from engineering to multimedia design when I was attending university at San Diego State and received my bachelor’s degree in 2012.
In 2013, I landed my first internship designing e-commerce websites. Fast forward to 2016, I became the Art Director at the Rock Church in San Diego, CA, where I managed the graphic design team and oversaw all of the different graphic design projects for the church.
In 2021, I left my full-time job and started Michael Khamo Design, where I offer services in graphic design, web design, cover art, social media marketing, digital media, and art direction, ultimately helping others bring their design needs to life. My passion for graphic design and my desire to see people, churches, and businesses convey their vision in the most excellent way fueled me to launch my own design business, taking all of my wisdom, experience, and sheer love for art and walk out the creative journey God had designed me to live.
I create Christian-focused graphic designs, and I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to incorporate design elements in my artwork that are not typically tied to Christianity. I am excited to continue using this skill set to expand my reach as a designer. A huge catalyst for my passion in this area was birthed while working within the church walls. And I believe it serves as a big reason why I am here today, offering church-centered graphic design.
Although my business has been thriving, getting to this point has come with its own set of challenges. Learning to work with different types of people, execute visions that are not your own, and submitting to creative authorities has taught me to be agile, diligent, and extremely patient within this field. My job is to work with the client to achieve their design goals while staying true to my creative style. My hope is that people will see excellence as a standard in my artwork.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
“Logo Modernism” (Book)
“Trade Marks and Symbols” (Book)
Dribbble.com
Behance.net
@ProChurchMedia
@crtvchurch
@worshipandcreative
@SundaySocial.tv
Educational:
YouTube
Skillshare
TheFutur (Podcast)
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My love for God, people and the church
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelkhamodesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkhamodesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelkhamodesign
Image Credits
Michael Khamo Design