Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Ortega.
Hi Angel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been interested in art and drawing. In school, I would redraw heavy metal album covers. I loved how drawing some dots & lines could bring a skull to life. To this day, I still love drawing skulls; it makes me happy.
After moving to Austin, I showed drawings in different art shows around town including EAST. I started Garzig Design in 2009 to make t-shirts for my friends. Shortly after, I went back to school with the goal of designing greeting cards. I was fascinated with learning about design specs, color theory, and how to transform designs into tangible products.
After graduating, I worked as a graphic designer before deciding to focus full-time on Garzig Design. It’s been fun growing the Garzig brand and building it as my own business for the past seven years.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Drawing and designing is the fun part of Garzig Design but running a business is a lot of work. Originally I wanted to do everything and I found myself stressed out doing work that wasn’t fun to me. After many long nights and headaches, I cut myself some slack and hired a bookkeeper to help with my finances and taxes. I learned that it’s important to create time to focus on what is fun to you and is your passion, otherwise you risk burning yourself out.
It’s also important in freelance design to have a community of friends that you can run ideas by. Show them your ideas, practice your pitches, & most important is to hear the feedback.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I enjoy redesigning pop culture with a metal edge. Heavy metal, food, skulls, & pop culture always find a unique way into my art.
All of the Garzig Design merchandise comes from my passions. It all starts with something that I’m interested in and grows from there. I don’t design merchandise for sales; it’s a brand based on things I love and I’m proud of that.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I 100% recommend finding a mentor and 200% recommend networking. Keep in touch with your teachers, peers, and coworkers to build a community that you can reach out to for feedback and advice. There’s always a fresh perspective that can help you improve your work.
Contact Info:
- Email: garzigdesign@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.garzig.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garzigdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarzigDesign
- Other: https://garzigdesign.com/
Image Credits
Steve DeMent, (photo of Angel with Frida Howlo) David Ortega, @David_I_Am (photo of candles)
