Meet Ali Hooten | Illustrator & Surface Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ali Hooten and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ali, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over time, my perspective on a work life balance has radically changed. I no longer think of work and life being two separate entities. Work and life are so completely intertwined that I consider it all life. Work is part of life, at least, for me it is.

I have always valued spending time outdoors, albeit not growing up in Colorado where it is a nearly ubiquitous value, I was fortunate enough to have access to outdoor spaces growing up. As an adult, I would find time, typically out of necessity for mental health, to be outdoors or follow a new hobby. Often, I felt as if I didn’t deserve the time away if I didn’t work hard enough, or didn’t get as much accomplished as I had hoped. I functioned in a work-hard, play-hard mentality for a long time.

Over the course of a few careers and now running my own business, my perspective has shifted. I believe this view of a work life balance is different for everyone, but for me, I view them as one in the same. My time outside has been the main inspiration for my work and the time working provides the space I need to recover while intellectually stimulating my mind. I relish the cozy days at my desk after spending hours in the sun or frigid wind. Alternatively, I get antsy and physically have a hard time sitting still if I haven’t moved my body. Everything I do in life influences my work and now it is really just my way of life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the founder of Coit Creative, an illustration brand inspired by many of the wild places here in Colorado. I license art to companies, both big and small, which is then placed on products like children’s apparel, dog beds, greeting cards, murals, and more. In addition, I teach a few online courses about design to fellow creatives. I didn’t start my career path as a professional illustrator. After graduating with a Master’s in Architecture, I worked on high-end residential homes as an Architect for many years. I left to pursue a professional career in guiding, gaining rock climbing certifications, only to realize I went a little too far the other direction. I felt like a pendulum swinging from design – outdoors – design – outdoors. I ended up teaching at the University of Colorado for several years while guiding in the summers before launching to build Coit Creative full time. I loved teaching and still teach online to this day, but I craved a more flexible lifestyle and always wanted to run my own business. I now run my own business and continue to use many technical skills, apply critical thinking, and teach at a much smaller capacity.

Looking ahead, I really hope to license more artwork and collaborate with companies. I dream of working with more outdoor brands, blending my lifestyle with my work. I also dream of living abroad and having the freedom to work from any place in the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visiting, I would most likely meet up with them and go on a climbing trip. As a big rock climber, I often spend weekends or longer stretches of time at different crags throughout Colorado (and beyond). I would consider well-known places like Shelf Road, Rifle, or Rocky Mountain National Park depending on the friend’s climbing abilities. We would stock up on groceries and pack a cooler, heading out to camp for the week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh goodness, I am sure so many people have influenced where I am today and individually calling out a few wouldn’t do them justice. I have found several small design communities in the online space to be essential to my own growth and motivation lately.

The one person who has been there through thick and thin is my husband. He has been a huge support, primarily emotionally, through the (many) ups and downs of running my own business. Big shoutout to Dustin.

Website: https://www.coitcreative.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coitcreative/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Uf46KVTfiBdTspEBe29Ww