Meet JP Garcia Jr. | Creative Consultant & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with JP Garcia Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JP, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As many creatives in this crazy professional world will grow to know or agree with, finding a company that values your artistic and creative contributions properly can be challenging.

I always was someone who enjoyed vending artwork at concerts or working on album designs for musicians. After a while I had launched a Clothing Brand, just to see it’s potential. So I would say a part of me always had an entrepreneurial hunger, but as some artists can relate, vending at times doesn’t keep a roof over your head.

The reason I started my freelance business was a bit more direct: the company I previously worked for, which designed home decor, had to shut down after Covid hit the economy hard, and all us employees lost our jobs. This forced me to actively debate my options of finding another corporate design gig or taking things into my own hands.

With my experience varying across several industries, such as live events, print, marketing, and more, in my seven years as a designer, I felt it was time to finally take the big leap. Since then, I have not looked back and have enjoyed each moment working with my clients!

Although there have been challenges, especially in finding your value as a freelance worker, it has given me a new sense of confidence in what projects are worth. I strongly advise any creative to explore options, even part-time, working in freelance doing something you truly love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So, I was never taught much as a traditional artist in the sense of paint and brushes but found a love for digital art and using it as a creative vessel to design for my own enjoyment or for others. Using Adobe Creative Suite unlocked a whole new realm for print, marketing, merchandising, and so on.

The start of my true art career was when I used to DJ and was heavily involved in the Denver underground music scene. Working with several musicians across the world on album art and merchandising, I drew a lot of inspiration from the various people I was able to meet and work alongside.

As many may guess, a lot of my art being inspired by the electronic music scene led me to love the style of surrealism. Coupled with my passion for oddities in general and always being one of the more oddball kids, I found a fun way to create digital works that showcase a playful and thought-provoking style.

After the years of playing live music, I rekindled my love for the outdoors, fishing, and hunting, which I love to bring into the mix of artwork. I didn’t let it stop there and let my nerdy side come out, beginning to create more video game, pop culture, and movie-inspired art styles with my surrealism.

Along with my love for the weirder side of things, I come from a very professional background in design and have found ways to utilize proper fundamentals for various design aspects and typography, giving them a unique spin.

I have had the pleasure of working with amazing companies such as Cheba Hut, HighLife, Grassroots California, and various others in my professional design work.

It is hard to think of what truly sets me apart in just an art sense from others when I have so many local inspirations I can hardly count, but I would say it is my interest in working with very, and I mean very, weird niche markets at times. I love to find companies you may have never thought to work with and assist them in making their ideas come to life. This alone has led to so many unique ventures and lifelong friendships with businesses I have come to love even more.

The process of getting to where I am has been a steady uphill climb, as it should be with passion projects, I think. From starting as a print assistant weeding vinyl orders to being a design lead for a home decor company, it has given me a very humbling experience so far. The biggest advice I would have for any young creative working either in a professional or personal environment is: “Patience and Don’t Compare Yourself To Your Peers.”

Many folks raised in the world of technology often rush success and, in fact, rush life or compare themselves to others online. Just because you are not where you want to be now does not mean it can’t happen. Each step we take through the process as creatives is teaching us valuable skills, either as a designer, a person, or a professional. Take moments to step back and appreciate the small steps you achieve as an artist, even if that means just learning a new tool or learning how to talk to clients.

Also, understand that a denial to work with a brand you may love doesn’t mean they don’t like you. Keep elevating your craft, and it will gain their attention in time!

As someone who grew up in a small mountain town with a family who all taught me to chase a dream, it has been a pleasure to be able to work alongside everyone I have so far and see places or things I could have never imagined. Whether that is the brands, musicians, or individuals I have helped with my art or design services, I am just a goofy, nerdy, and outdoorsy person who enjoys playing with colors, as I always say!

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?
Well, I would say a lot of my ideas would involve outdoor-related activities with a lot of food.

First things first, we are heading way up north, since I live in Fort Collins, and taking a camping trip to Red Feather Lakes. That town alone stole my heart when I came up north, and I love taking friends there to fish because I know they will typically catch one! While in town, you have to stop at the best new food truck, ZydeCo Boys, and get their hush puppies with a po’boy.

After a good trip out there, we would head back down the I-25 corridor, but take a detour west along the I-70 corridor to my hometown of Idaho Springs. While there, you gotta eat at Beau Jo’s Pizza, Two Brothers Deli, and Smokin’ Yards. I always love a good Dude Ranch Pizza from Beau Jo’s, I don’t care what people may think. Then you can always take a dip in Indian Hot Springs, which isn’t talked about too much for hot springs.

Next, the trip would keep cruising up I-70, making stops to fish in Georgetown and staying for a night in my second place of being raised, Summit County. There we would certainly take some kayaks or paddleboards onto Dillon Reservoir for a day of fishing and sun. To end a day on the lake, you need to stop in Dillon to eat at Tacos Tequila Bar & Grill!

And what better way to finish off the trip’s adventures than with a final day down in our big city! I would certainly take them to Sam’s No. 3, which alone always makes friends’ jaws drop. Second, it wouldn’t be a proper visit to the city without a chill walk through Red Rocks for some outdoor scenery!

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?
Throughout my time growing across industries, I can truly say I would not be where I am without both mentors and colleagues who were always there to push me.

First off would be my first print mentor right out of high school, Jesse Henshaw. Not only did he give me a chance fresh out of high school to learn to help a print shop, but he was also the first person to give me access to Adobe Creative Suite and opened a whole new realm of reality for me. Through his mentorship in my early years, he instilled the work ethic and joy I have in working on a digital platform to create things you can physically handle.

Secondly would be my good friend and ex-supervisor, Emily Long. After a leap of faith to start working with a startup company we both found on Craigslist, we helped turn the company from a dream into an industry powerhouse with a visual identity and voice. She helped me understand more about professional environments and pushed me to always embrace changes in a good way. She has been a grounding voice in my life since we worked together, and I appreciate her for providing outlooks and ideas that challenged me.

Lastly, I would like to thank every single one of my family and friends who have bought artwork, clothes and design services through the years. Without each one of them showing me from the start that there is a true vision there, I would not be where I am today. As cheesy as it may sound!

Website: https://soundsquadart.myportfolio.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundsquadart

Image Credits
Personal Photo by Casey Raser of Raser Sharp Productions