We were lucky to catch up with OJ Evans recently and have shared our conversation below.

OJ, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

As a creative, the first big risk I took was leaving school. I was in Graphic Design school, which got me started on some different graphic design software that I had never used before. I did learn a lot through a couple years of classes, but got to the point where I had all these ideas of how to use the new-found skill creatively, and my assignments in class weren’t covering the types of projects I wanted to dig in on. Also, I spending money to be there, and wanted to turn my creativity into income as soon as possible. So I quit school, only 3 semesters before graduating. I did work a few odd jobs to after that to start saving for art supplies and the student loan payments that were about to come rolling in. Eventually I got a job in my hometown of Minneapolis at a screen printing shop where two things happened. One expected and one unexpected. I got to start using my creative mind to earn a paycheck, which was always the goal, but I also didn’t think that job would be a continuing education for me. I learned a ton from some talented people and have used that gained experience at every job since then to move onto the next one!

OJ, 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 come from a graphic design background. My first business after dropping out of school was an apparel brand I started with a friend: Lake Street Apparel. He was a business major, running that end of things, and I was the designer. It was the first time my designs were turned into something real and sold to people. Worn by people walking around where I lived. That was a super cool feeling. After that I started getting jobs in the print world. I learned everything about the actual machines that were being used to put my designs into the world on paper, fabric, etc. I started operating those machines and then all of a sudden I was kind of a one-stop-shop. I could create a design and then turn it into a product myself.

Most recently, I’ve learned how to use larger equipment and I am now the Art Director at a high-end custom wallpaper company. We specialize in turning any artwork into a full-scale wall mural by way of wallpaper panels. The most rewarding part is working with all sorts of different artists and learning about their techniques, their crafts, and their lives. Working with them has been really inspiring for me, and I’ve started spending more and more time at home on my own artwork.

I’ve gotten back into designing smaller scale things. My favorite projects recently have been concert posters, record covers, and logos for bands and other companies. I’ve also moved away from graphic design more than ever before and started to develop a really sense of my own artistic style which I’ve applied mostly to painting.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I don’t fully understand NFTs. For someone who’s built their career becoming an expert in design technology, I am unfortunately pretty naive when it comes to the internet in general. To my understanding, I do have the skills to create an NFT, but I have no clue how to get one into the market. Overall, if there is a new platform for artists to make an income from and spread their name/work, I’m all about it!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In my view, society could start putting people’s art on way more STUFF! I live in Minneapolis, so my favorite example is the number of blank brick or concrete walls there are here. Who wouldn’t rather have a mural painted on the side of their building? I feel that cities in Europe are way ahead of American cities in terms of covering the city-scape with local art.

Contact Info:

• Website: oliverjohndesignco.com
• Instagram: @oliverjohndesignco