Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Piper Ferrari. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Piper, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

When I was 19, I worked as a studio assistant for an abstract painter named Max Makewell. Working with him was insanely inspiring. He built up a really amazing career for himself. His grand ideas, and the way he just made things happen was something I thought people only dreamed of doing.

He really stressed the importance of goal setting, mental health, and just being the best version of yourself possible, which was something I definitely needed at 19.

Overtime, he became less of a boss and more of a mentor. Him and I still talk often and I owe a lot of my success to him.

Piper, 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?

My name is Piper, I am a 23 year old graphic designer who specializes in the music industry. I’ve worked for a variety of companies, labels, and musicians over the past few years (including Adobe, Warner Music, Guitar Center, and much more).

I take a lot of inspiration from 90s punk and analog design, and try to rework those old school techniques and styles into more of a modern light. Some of my favorite designers include Chris Ashworth, Roy Cranston, and Barbra Krueger.

I stumbled into this industry by chance. I did freelance photography for most of my teens / early 20s, but eventually decided it was too hard of an industry to try to break into. Unsure of what to do next, I tried to learn front end development. I was tired of being broke and figured the tech industry was where the money was it. While looking at inspo for landing pages, I came across the work of Roy Cranston, and instantly fell in love. I took my existing knowledge of photoshop, composition, etc. from photography, and just dove in. A few months in, I got my first album art commission. Eight months in, I was doing work for my favorite record label (Sargent House). After a year, I started freelancing full time and that’s what I’ve been doing since.

On the side of design, I front a band called Roman Candle. We’re a hardcore band based in Vegas, and just put out our first ep in October. Being directly involved in the industry has helped my career a ton. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of cool people, and reach an entirely new audience with the cross promotion of art and music.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I really like this question, and I think it’s not one discussed enough.

“Rising tides raise all ships” – idk where I read that but it really solidified my beliefs on the art community as a whole.

I think any community thrives off mutual support. It doesn’t even have to be buying your friends art. I think showing up and showing out is the most powerful thing we can do for each other.

I think something a lot of creatives lack, unfortunately, is confidence. Everyone feels threatened by everyone else. Especially in music. The thing is though, if one of your peers are doing good, you’re all bound to do good. If one person in your niche is blowing up, everyone is bound to feel the effects of that in a positive way. There’s enough money, resources, and just people in the world to give attention to what you’re creating to go around. Support your friends, support your neighbors, just be kind and stop being jealous of each other.

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

Most of the time, I get to do what I want, when I want, and work with who I want. Of course, there are times where I take a commission that isn’t necessarily my style to pay rent. Sometimes I have to deal with the off beat rude people- but even those not so great experiences are worthwhile.

Everyday I learn something new and everyday I have the privilege of creating something. I get to be my own boss at 23. That’s so sick.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.piperferrari.com
• Instagram: @piperferrari_
• Other: https://linktr.ee/piperferrari

Image Credits
PC: @forwardstar_ for the band photo