We recently connected with Shenequa Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shenequa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

For years I have been doing Graphic Design and Graphic Design only and I have seen much success. Helping small businesses create their identity, design packaging, products etc but it started to get boring I wasn’t having as much fun with design anymore. Covid came and i had so much free time and less clients. I’ve been drawing my whole life, but somehow but it went on the back burner. This was the perfect time to start again, I bought an Ipad and everything changed from there. Illustration has changed my career for the better. In the past 3 years I have gotten so much opportunities from my art from winning contest, having my art licensed, having my art in customers homes I am so grateful I decided to bring it back.

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?

Hey I’m Shenequa Johnson a first generation Caribbean American and NYC native (Brooklyn to be exact).

Art has always been in my life, My dad is an artist so I picked up my talent from him. I have been designing professionally for over 5 years, earning my Bachelors in Communication Design from CUNY NYC College Of Technology.

I have two small businesses one service based and one product based. I am a co-owner of a stationery brand with my two sisters called Cadash & Co we create stationery for women by women, Self care, organization and art are our main priority.

I also offer freelance design/illustration services for clients over at SJohnson Designs. There I specialize in branding for entrepreneurs and businesses who are ready to elevate their brand presence and stand out from the crowd through cohesive, aesthetically pleasing design. Illustration has become my new love; I enjoy creating art depicting women of color and showing representation where there is a lack of.

I have a minimalistic design style. Creating clean, modern branding with a pop while mixing Patterns, Illustrations, Typography and Color is my thing.

I have worked with a handful of clients like, Puma, Bando, Amplifier, Girl + Hair and Spitfire Strategies and hope to add more to that list this year.

My proudest moment so far in my design history has been working with LinkNYC and Puma during the 2020 elections and having my artwork in all 5 boroughs of NYC. Such a surreal moment walking into the Puma flagship store and seeing something I created on my ipad on taller than me screen it will always be a proud moment in my memory.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a artist is that you always have the opportunity to work while doing something you love. So many people think art isn’t a “real” job and it’s not needed however art is all around us and it is an important aspect in the world. An artist is always needed! The creative industry has grown so much over the years, we have an opportunity to work for ourselves and actually beat the “starving artist” stereotype. Getting paid for something that you would do for free is always a great feeling.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During my first design job out of college I was fired suddenly out of the blue, I had never been fired before and this being my first career job I was even more devastated. I didn’t know what I was going to do, I started applying for things ASAP with not much luck. It had been a month and still nothing. I suddenly realized “I am the job” I have skills and am capable of starting a business of my own, I created an instagram business page and etsy shop selling customizable party items and SJohnson Designs was born. I did eventually get a full time job, however i started gaining clients over on social media and thought I can work on the corporate design in my 9-5 and do the fun design in my 5-9 and I’m so glad i did, because look at me now!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sjohnsondesigns.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sjohnsondesigns
• Facebook: facebook.com/sjohnsondesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenequa-johnson-365741b1/
• Other: www.cadashco.com

Image Credits
Pierre Louis Visuals Diversion Photography