Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Bonsato.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Art has always been a passion of mine since childhood. It expanded my mind and molded me to see the potential in everything from an artistic perspective. As a kid from the islands of Hawai‘i, I could only dream of designing for the different brands I saw on our old Zenith television. It was an escape from everyday life to a world full of color and limitless imagination. I enjoyed picking up a pen and paper and seeing where my creativity would take me on a blank canvas. I’ve always leaned into my curiosity for the arts, and it only took one class to change me forever. I took a graphic design class in high school. It was in that class that I learned my creativity can lead me to a flourishing lifelong career.
I attended and graduated from Honolulu Community College where the foundation of my creative skills was established and continues to help me. These choices unlocked a series of opportunities for me and led me down a path to explore a goal of becoming an Art Director, which is where I am today. My journey is far from over, as I keep learning every day. I specialize in brand development, layout design, logo design, social media design, and concept creation. My tools for the trade are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and stop motion. Recently, I’ve incorporated my creative skills with my Faith in God into the inspiration of my work. Design is an opportunity for me to serve and breathe new life into people. My Faith is my guiding principle to bring positive change in the communities we call home.
In my free time, I love designing bible verses to bring positivity to my Instagram page where I can minister to people in need through my profile.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Certainly, like most people, my childhood was not without its struggles. I wasn’t a very confident person, and what people said to me or about me held a lot of ground in my life. I grew up in an immigrant family and saw how hard it was for them to work and make ends meet. I saw firsthand how the pressures of everyday life really impacted immigrant families and even the mistreatment that took place. Those close to me never really had faith in my creative skills, much less that it would take me far. It really was a challenge, more mentally than physically.
I enlisted in the Army, which helped me be more disciplined, organized, and bring a sense of confidence back into my life. Joining the military and working for successful organizations has challenged me to strive for improvement. Verbal communication has never been my strong suit, which is why I don’t boast about my work, but instead, let my work do the talking. Recently, God has brought meaningful relationships into my life to help me grow and address the obstacles that keep me from reaching my full potential.
That battle inside to ignore the doubters and naysayers and prove that my passion and dreams of being an Art Director can be a reality with perseverance and focus. In this industry being a Filipino American, the odds are already stacked against you. It isn’t a common ethnicity in the Creative Industry. Some didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt to at least see my work. I needed to overcome adversity. I wanted to change the stigma from the lens of ethnicity to capability. A positive influence in the creative industry comes with diversified mediums used within their respective final products. I want to show that even the artists themselves can be diverse and respected.
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?
What sets me apart from others is what influences my work. I put God first, which inspires my work, and I also pray for my clients. I try to guide them into a different way of thinking. It’s not always about making money, but a way to impact lives in a positive way. It brings strength to the business relationship while bringing life to their vision. I like to say It is always better to over-deliver than to under-deliver. So, if the clients ask for a few items, then I give them a few more. I like to surprise the client and show them that I am here to help in any way I can.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
When I’m not creating, the basketball court is my zen sanctuary. I find peace after hearing the swoosh sound of the basketball going through the net. I’m obsessed with all things 90’s basketball and trying to be the next “Baby face sniper” Stephen Curry.
Pricing:
- Feature Interior Wall Design – $650.00
- Logo Design – Starting at $600.00
- Brochure Design – Starting at $400.00
- Branded Social Media Design Templates – $300.00
- T-Shirt Design – $250.00
Contact Info:
- Email: missinglinkdesign.create@
gmail.com - Website: www.jeffreybonsato.com
- Instagram: @missinglinkdesign
- LinkedIn: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/jeffreybonsato - Other: https://dribbble.com/
JeffreyBonsato
Image Credits
Blackletter Group
Special Olympics Hawai‘i
