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

Hi Nicholas , thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Fortunately, I have been blessed to be able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. I was able to get an early start on my graphic design career while I was in college, and luckily it has served me ever since. My graphic design career started with me just playing around with photoshop on my laptop trying to come up with covers and website graphics for my music. A few of my friends really liked the work that I was creating for my music and they started to inquire about me creating some designs for them to which I obliged. From there it was as if a rocket ship had taken off my name had spread via word of mouth and friends and their friends started to contact me to help them to bring various creative projects to life. While I was in college I had spent some time studying to get into the insurance industry. After about 6 months of going through courses I ended up passing and receiving my license to sell life accident and health insurance. I had a job set up waiting for me with MetLife and I came to a crossroad where I had to decide if I would work for MetLife in the insurance industry or I would pursue my own business with my graphic design career. I chose to move forward with graphic design and the rest is history.

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 career in graphic design probably started as early as about 10 years old. My father Neville Grant ran an architecture business from home. When he got a computer for the first time at home I would play with it day and night figuring out the various different features and functions. One of the programs in particular that I became fond of was a graphic design program. I would use that program to create business cards letterheads and even a logo for my dad’s business. Being that my father ran his own business as a child I always fantasized of being my own business owner one day. I would tirelessly sketch in my notebook different logos and different ideas for businesses that I might one day create. I remember the first time seeing one of my dad’s business cards being printed with my design on it. I was extremely proud of myself. Since then I have honed my skills in graphic design and use my skills to help my clients to communicate their ideas goals and identity to their future prospects. Graphic design is a language in which people and businesses can communicate with one another without using any words at all. I hope my clients to set themselves apart and carve out there special space in the world. I think what sets me apart most from other designers is that I care. I absolutely try my best to bring my clients vision to life and make it as accurate to what they describe to me as possible.

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

I would say the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to solve new problems and conquer new challenges on a day-to-day basis. Many jobs are very mundane and have very set tasks and principles to abide by. In my field I’m able to dive into my mind and come up with creative solutions for problems by using my imagination. To be honest it’s what every kid’s dreams are made of.

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

The best way to support artists is to pay attention. Artist put a lot of time and money into their creative expression and often the very least that they want is for someone to just listen and pay attention to the message. All too often people view art is simply a commodity to be consumed but sometimes people need to step back and appreciate the values instilled in the art and the messages intended.

Contact Info:

• Website: Northgatecreative.com
• Instagram: @Northgatecreative