Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nathan James. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nathan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
When I first began designing, I learned on the great Youtube university mostly for some basics. But I was always a kid who liked building Gundam model kits and figuring out how to make the Transformer toy turn into a car without directions. So I quickly started messing around with random filters, and effects until I did something that I thought was cool enough to be printed or thrown on my old Photobucket account.
Then as I started to share my work with people, I began to create digital art and flyers for friends in the city. Which required me to have to get a little more specific with my Youtube university searches, when it came to recreating ideas that my friends and I had in our young minds. I was so proud of myself when I made my first GIF, which was Super Mario riding a skateboard onto a ramp into one of those little green tunnels. That served me well until I made it to Texas State University-San Marcos where I learned about Illustrator and the world of Branding and Advertising. Learning how to think even more conceptually with intention when it comes to my creative decisions for the people I work with and myself. Also, I learned this neat trick using the punnet square we learned in math in different to create unique logos that combine different ideas, which is something I use to this day.
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
My name is Nathan James, I’m from San Antonio, TX, and I’m a Designer. I first got into my craft by wanting to create a Baby Milo character of myself popularized by Pharrell on his “In My Mind” cover art. I stumbled across a copy of Photoshop and went on Youtube and found some tutorials on how to use it and I have stuck with it since. It was a creative outlet at first combining my love my technology and creating. As time went on, I got a small taste of freelance life as a teen doing some small design projects for friends. After I learned more about the Design and Advertising industry at Texas State in San Marcos, I began doing more design projects for those same friends and family helping them get their ideas and message out there. That’s when I really began to fall in love with Design on a branding level understanding that quality and thoughtful design you can help propel some businesses and tell people’s stories. Around this time I also began my career in the Ad industry interning at McGarrah Jessee and working at places like Drumroll, PREACHER, and now The Martin Agency. Now 8 years later I’m still at it. Learning more every day, and gaining tools new and opportunities that help me be a better business owner for myself with personal projects & clothing line G.BD, my co-workers at Martin & my clients with GLORY. I also enjoy creating a dope playlist from time to time, with my Box of Chocolatez series.
Last year when I began the next step in my freelance journey by creating a small Creative Studio named GLORY. Now feeling like I’ve learned enough and gained enough skills I took a year off from the Ad industry to work for myself, full-time. I began offering Creative services that ranged from Branding, Web Design, Illustration, and more. I also launched my fashion brand G.BD (GUILTY.BY DESIGN). This year I began working for The Martin Agency, while still doing small projects with GLORY, and getting ready to get moving again with G.BD.
I’m most proud of learning to use my creative skills to not only help me express myself but others as well. I believe our stories, ideas, and experiences deserve to be presented to the world and given the best opportunity to be seen by those who would relate and those who want to learn. I’m committed to making sure my clients, whether big or small get 100% of my passion. But also understanding I need to have an outlet for myself to express my own thoughts and ideas.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
What I feel drives me is the want to find meaning in everything. The meaning behind why I want to create a collection of clothing that’s based on certain emotions, or ideas. The meaning behind, why I enjoy creating playlists and sharing that music with all these different people I meet as I experience life. The meaning behind a client’s business idea or project that will fulfill a need for them. The meaning behind those experiences as humans, past & present, and how it makes us who we are.
I’ve always been curious, and the kind of person that just loves to try and figure things out. That helped me find beauty & value in many things others may not have and I strive to bring some of those things to others, in a way that will look appealing and presented in a way that gets your attention.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
When it comes to new clients, the best source for me has been referrals from people I’ve worked with in the past. Though it’s tough getting that first opportunity, and even the next few. It only takes one person you do great work for, that may know somebody else who see’s that work.
It also helps to simply live life, you’ll naturally meet people if you’re in the right rooms and communities. Find a start-up meet-up in an industry you’re interested in; offer your services randomly to a business you admire from afar.
Contact Info:
- Website: nathanjames.net
- Instagram: nathan_m_james
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-m-james
- Other: guiltybydesign.co glorycreative.studio
Image Credits
Sam Cook Darryl Diggs