Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren “YellaStud” Lavezzari.
Hi Lauren “YellaStud”, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It was 2010 and I was interning at my good childhood friend Will Hustle’s record company Set 4 Life Records. I would help him with checking the emails that came in and corresponding with people that we needed to potentially work with. Well, they always had shows going on and of course, they were recording mixtapes and stuff and I always thought the flyers and covers were dope. I have always been into art and have been drawing since I was young so I naturally gravitated towards the visuals they were using. I was the one in school drawing handmade party invites for people’s house parties. Just cause, lol. I was always good at looking at something and being able to draw it and it looks either just like it or damn close. Well, anyways, back then, the first digital cameras came out. My mom gave me one…I remember it was a silver compact box that had a 1.5x 1.5 inch screen on it to see what the picture looked like after you took it, lol. Well, it came with a cd rom with picture editing software on it. So I put it in and just started messing with pictures I had taken and editing them. Starting adding text and just adding shit to the pictures cause that was just too dope back then, lol. Well, I had realized that this is how those promo flyers and covers were designed. So I just sat and messed with pics and what I could do to them. Then it grew to designing MySpace pages for people. Now 11 years later, I am an 8x award-winning graphic designer.
Not only is she an award-winning graphic designer, but she is passionate about music and her knowledge of various aspects of the music industry. From artist management and promotion, booking and branding, event planning and production, to outreach and media relations. YellaStud’s commitment has always been to the onward push of female mc’s and to the LGBTQ+ music community. Her connections she has made to some of the most elite players and rising stars keeps her at the forefront of the local and national scenes. This makes her advantageous in her role at PinkElephantRadio. She is co-host with her partner/best friend/Creator of PE Radio Japan. Their show and mixtape series Pink Privilege is geared toward LGBTQ Artists. In 2019, they put together the first Official SXSW LGBTQ Artist Showcase: Pink Privilege that showcased a heavy lineup of headliners. Their purpose is simple: create a safe place where music strengthens the community. By bringing artists, emcees, DJs, music producers, talent managers, industry execs, scholars and hip-hop heads from all over the world to come together to celebrate and address the social and cultural issues that affect the LGBT community.
YellaStud also works closely with Austin Black Pride. Austin Black Pride is a 501(C)3 organization that works to educate, celebrate, and empower LGBTQ people of color through advocacy creation of social service programs and supportive partnerships. They also PROUDLY partner with Community Based Organization to educate, empower and entertain. “We understand that to whom much is given much is required which is why STD/STI testing education and prevention is an essential part of everything that we put our name on.” Myself, the president of ABP Sheldon Darnell and partner Japan came together to create one of the most successful LGBTQ Urban club nights in Texas called Drip Drop. This quarterly club event caters to the urban LGBTQ experience.
YellaStud is a mover and shaker and constantly on the go! With everything she has her hands in, she takes great pride in all of the projects she works on as she knows that they are a reflection of her. “ I know people are always watching me and waiting for me to either succeed or fail. When I speak, people stop and listen so I am careful about what I say, how I say it and when I say it. I have a very strong action speaks louder than words mentality. So when I put my word and full effort behind something, just know that I truly stand behind it 100%.” When it comes to her graphics, her main focus is providing her customers with quality designs.“I believe that time is the most valuable asset that we have. Therefore I have no interest in wasting yours.”
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?
If it is a smooth road, then it isn’t truly worked for. I think the main struggles I faced at first and probably always will be is I am female…masculine….heavily tatted lol…..lesbian…and colored. I get looked up and down everywhere I go and judge immediately. It is definitely a very male-driven industry. So females have to be on top of their shit 100% to be taken seriously or don’t come at all. It’s cutthroat. I was not only competing with folks to build a name for myself and to prove I had talent, but I also had to compete for the respect.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an 8x Award-winning graphic designer. Recipient of the:
– 2010 Texas Platinum Hood Awards Graphic Designer of the Year
– 2010 Texas Platinum Hood Awards Female Mixtape of The Year;
– 2012,2014,2016,2018 & 2019 Austin Hip Hop Awards Graphic Designer of the Year
– 2021 Southern Entertainment Awards Graphic Designer of The Year
– 2021 5th Annual BlaQ Awards Honoree
I am a graphic designer with more than 10+ years of experience in the game. I specialize in designing flyers, logos, business cards, album/mixtape covers, book and movie covers, and so much more.
I work heavily in the entertainment industry and provide graphics for artists, club promoters, DJs, clubs, and more! But my clients also span out as far as barbers/hair designers, organizations, churches, sports teams, you name it from all over the world. I definitely can cater to anyone’s needs.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is when you set out to achieve something that is at a higher peak than the current status it is in. Definitely a positive step forward. Everyone sees success differently because everyone has their own personal goals they want to reach. It can be big or small but in the end, if it got you the results you were intending on reaching or even better…then that is success.
Pricing:
- Flyer Designs $75
- Logo Designs $125
- One Sheet/ EPK $125-$200
- Album/Mixtape Covers $75-$200
Contact Info:
- Email: yellastud82@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/YellaStud
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YellaStud-Gfx-585005638503522
Image Credits:
J. Lavezzari Multimedia
