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

Milton, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Early 2018, I came up with an idea on my trip to El Salvador, my native country. Like many Spanish speaking countries, Salvadorans speak a certain unique way. I realized I can create a Loteria, “bingo like game” using Salvadoran slang. I came home and Ideas just started flowing in, even had dinner with a cousin that is a pro at Salvadoran slang. After I created my list of items, I began to create the drawings, and inspired by the Don Clemente Loteria Version, I began to put the game together. Every piece just fell into place, and after a year, I launched my Loteria on April 2019, and at first things were slow. Once well known business and big content creators shared my product, things began to take off.

It became so popular, that as of now, It’s sold solely by word of mouth, sharing on social media. Like I mentioned, Loteria is like bingo, it’s a game of chance but instead of numbers, images are used. It’s so near and dear to me, because each image is taken directly from my Salvadoran culture and was created with so much affection. I have also created many more Loterias, like the Texas and Christmas Loterias, along with much more merchandise.

Milton, 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?

I always say I’m Salvi born, Texas raised boy. I have lived my whole life in Houston, Texas, and I clearly love this city because of the diversity, the opportunities and my family and friends. I was born in El Salvador, and ever since I can remember, I have always had a love for the arts, particularly the visual arts. I still have this humbling memory of when I was about 4 years old, I would steal my older sister’s school books and crayons so that I can draw and when I didn’t have any paper, I would draw on our walls and always got in trouble for it. Throughout my school years, art was always my favorite subject, and it wasn’t until my Senior year of High School that I discovered Graphic Design. Over the next few years, I worked odd jobs and did a few free-lance gigs on the side, but nothing serious. Soon after, I decided to go back to school and work on getting a degree in Graphic Design. It was a very tough time in my life, but I somehow managed to pull through and graduate with a Bachelor’s in Visual Communications.

I landed a good corporate job for a huge women’s clothing boutique, and after 4 years, I realized I needed to be doing my own thing, work on something that I’m passionate about. It was around this time I began to create my most impressive works and created La Loteria Salvadoreña, which is up to now, my uttermost work of art.

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

I think it’s my customers, the ones who appreciate it and tell me how much a certain piece takes them back to their youth, and they reminisce on simple times.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes, No one was hiring me as a Graphic Designer because I had no experience, therefore, I began to work free small freelance jobs, just so that I can build up my portfolio. I was working these jobs while having a full time paid job, unrelated to Graphic Design. That’s the good thing about freelance work, you work on it on your free time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,miltonlaradeisgns.com
• Instagram: miltonlaradesigns
• Linkedin: Milton Lara
• Youtube: Milton Lara Designs