You may recognize Theresa Lopez from presenting at the Morning Leak and attending various AIGA Jacksonville events. You might have also seen her fire dancing at local community events, such as Jaxflow. Currently working and living in Jacksonville, Theresa finds passion in creating, traveling and absorbing culture.
Q.
Tell us a little bit about your background, Theresa.. Where are you originally from? Did you attend college? If so, where?
A.
I’ve had the great privilege to grow up in a culturally mixed household and travel extensively all throughout my life. My background is a mixture of explorations & experiences in Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, and constant travel between the West and East coast of the U.S. I graduated last year from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville where I studied Elementary Education and Graphic Design.
Q.
What attracted you to becoming a graphic designer? What kind of challenges do you face working as a freelance designer?
A.
To be honest, I had no idea what graphic design was when I signed up for it. All I knew was that illustration was involved and that I needed to take a plunge and push myself beyond my limits and my safety zone to seewhere I could go. I couldn’t be happier that I took the risk because the world of graphic design turned out to be deeper and more challenging than I could’ve ever imagined!! Its problem solving! Everything is a puzzle begging to be solved, with possibilities that are only hindered by the cap you put on your imagination. I’ve always been passionate about art, but I think what sold me on this field was the ability to communicate a message purposefully. Communication is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in life, and there’s so much more to communication than words. To leave it at that would be one-dimensional; there are hundreds of ways to explore a message and convey it to another person. Communication (and sometimes the lack thereof) is incredibly interesting to me and I’m simply trying to learn all I can and help others effectively do the same. That is probably the biggest challenge I have right now as a freelance designer focusing on branding; understanding someone else’s message – their legacy- and translating it. Its finding the right way to communicate to a client and show you understand their problem, then communicating with them to gather enough useful information to draw out a plan, then using methods of design to communicate that message back to them. I’ve been really lucky with my clients, and quite successful so far, but it’s definitely a learning process!
Q.
Where you do find inspiration?
A.
Everywhere! Right now I’m looking outside my window and loving how the golden-peach light of the sun setting is suspended in water droplets on the glass. Behind them are dark green out-of-focus leaves that enhance their vibrancy and it’s plenty enough to spark ideas for a color scheme & sketchwork.In my travels (around the country or around the block) I like to collect tidbits of inspiration; whether they’re a snapshot of a cool logo, paint swatch samples from Lowes, a label on a beer bottle, pages from magazines, or patterns on a leaf. Sometimes I simply take colors or type inspiration from them and sometimes I take the memories and emotions that are tied to those things. Anything that instantaneously makes you smile, or confuses you, or scares you, or makes you feel empowered can be translated into colors and forms. As cheesy as it sounds, life is where I get my inspiration because its all I’ve got in this world; and all that the world will have to hear me with.
Q.
How and why did you become involved with AIGA?
A.
I became involved with AIGA after getting inspired at a Morning Leak event. I’m a morning person anyways, so getting a good mix of coffee and local inspirational stories was enough to send me buzzing with motivation for the rest of the day! Ever since then I’ve been attending guest speaker events and participating in the Morning Leak & group discussions to help nurture the beginnings of my career. Its humbled me to offer what I’ve learned to others in the community as well! I want tobe able to love my job and make a difference in the world, so why wouldI not find every opportunity to connect with others who are striving to do the same thing? We’re lucky people, to be able to do what we’re passionate about. Everyone I’ve met through AIGA is amazingly helpful and just all-around cool people.
Q.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A.
The best advice I’ve gotten is: Remember to have fun! I’ve gotten lots of great advice before, but this one has been re-occurring throughout my journey, and always comes before a “design epiphany” where I go beyond my perceived limits. Of course I take this all very seriously, but you cannot get bogged down in all of that or else your work will become very drab. So in between jobs do a fun personal project, or during the thumbnail stage throw some strange ideas out there and see where it takes you. If you make sure to have fun with what you’re doing, it’s hard to get stuck in a rut!
~ Kristina, membership co-director
