Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Ward.
Hi Alexis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always knew I’d be a working artist, so it was no surprise to anyone that I graduated from college with a graphic design degree. My first job was at a record label, which was my dream job. I loved working with artists and in the music industry in Nashville. After a few years at the label, I ventured off on my own and created my design studio which I call The Visual Republic. I’ve been blessed to work with amazing brands and clients on everything from book covers and album design to event graphics for festivals to illustration work for magazines, publishing and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was really fortunate to gain quite a few amazing clients when I made the shift from in-house designer to a freelancer. Some of those clients are still current clients after 15+ years which is so fun. One of my challenges has been to stay connected to brands when their art directors leave. Often, new and younger art directors aren’t as familiar with my work, or prefer to find younger, fresh designers. I had one art director ask my what I’d designed for their company when I’d designed probably 30 book covers for them. I create strong relationships built on trust and collaboration with my clients which is why they last for so long.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For many years I was known for my album design because I started out designing at a record label and have designed literally hundreds of albums for different artist and labels. Early in my career I started incorporating hand lettering and illustration into these designs, and I found that many art directors loved hiring me because of my ability to blend traditional design with illustrated elements. This led to a significant amount of book cover projects because, again, art directors loved getting covers that combined illustration with design.
These days I love illustration so much that I have started creating illustrations and artwork specifically for licensing and surface patterns. It’s so amazing to create artwork that ends up on products in the marketplace, whether it’s a fabric and wallpaper, or your illustration on a mug, bedding, or stationary.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice for those who are starting out is to first work in-house before you are freelance. The information and lessons I learned while working in-house were invaluable. Those days of looking over printing proofs or meeting with the marketing team to align our visions really prepared me for when I started working independently.
My second piece of advice is don’t settle for a crappy design job. The work that you create early on will go into your portfolio and will be your calling card. If you can create what you love — even if it’s not for a job, but better if it is — then you’ll have a portfolio that represents you well.
Pricing:
- Album design $3,500+
- Book Cover design $2,000+
- Art Licensing $1000+ (terms vary)
- Branding $2500+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thevisualrepublic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosielark.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiswardtvr/
- Other: https://www.rosielark.com/
