I didn't expect to receive a piece of advice during my job interivew that would have such a lasting impact on me, this advice has stayed with me and continues to influence my career decisions to this day. After seeing that my portfolio is a collection of a bit of everything without mastering anything, the creative director that I applied to on my first job interview told me this: it's rare to be a "Michael Jordan" in the design world and that it's important to focus on one specific niche that I'm truly passionate about. One can never be great at everything, Do one thing that you are passionate about, and let it kill you, not the exact words but you get the idea.
One of my challenges was that I wanted to learn everything and stay up-to-date with trending styles. While this may seem like a positive goal, I eventually realized that it was not sustainable. Before I graduated college, I was already designing theses for my classmates and had even completed my first paid project - a Need for Speed-inspired offline store powered by Macromedia Flash featuring heavy animation. At the time, the dawn of Flash and the success of studios like 2advanced made them seem like gods in the design world.
After completing multiple theses and working on full-time pixel-pushing projects, I gained a lot of knowledge and exposure to various design software. This was a golden era for me in terms of trying out new things and exploring different areas of design, including 3D modeling and animation, Flash and GIF animation, website design, banners, print design, and designing web apps for iOS and Android. I also tried my hand at logo design for a variety of industries and even dabbled in stage design. Although I had some natural aptitude for various areas of design, my heart ultimately told me that they were not my true passions. This realization led me to start searching for something that truly resonated with me and that I could pursue with dedication and enthusiasm.
It wasn't until the end of 2017, after years of searching, that I finally had an epiphany about my one true passion. I wanted to find something that I could do for the rest of my life, so I took a closer look at my skills and abilities. I enjoyed drawing, but I wasn't necessarily a painter or a digital artist capable of creating stunning work for comic books. While I had some knowledge of illustration, I wasn't skilled enough in realism or heavy detailing. I also felt that I had reached my peak in web design and was no longer up-to-date with the latest trends. So, I assessed my strengths and limitations, determined to find something that truly fit me.
One day, while shopping at a local supermarket, I impulsively picked up a sketch pad, pencil, and eraser from the school supply section. As I excitedly checked out and headed home, I couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia that overwhelmed me. It had been a long time since I had indulged in traditional art forms like sketching, and I realized that the digital age had caused many of us to forget these simple pleasures. In fact, writing on paper had even become a chore for some.
As a break from my digital routine, I decided to try my hand at drawing on a blank page of the notebook that I just bought. At first, I just drew whatever came to mind, but eventually, an idea struck me. I enjoyed playing games and noticed that esports was becoming increasingly popular. I had some basic drawing skills and knew how to use Illustrator, so I thought, why not try my hand at creating sports logos? I was immediately excited by this idea and spent a month practicing and sketching on paper before transferring my designs to Illustrator. As I worked, I realized that I truly enjoyed this process and was committed to improving my skills.
Initially, I practiced by creating a few premade logos on marketplaces. As I received positive feedback and gained confidence in my skills, I decided to pursue sports logo design full-time. I had no idea that this decision would mark the beginning of a never-ending journey to improve my craft.
With passion, creativity, and lots of hard work, I believe I can go to war against the Gods.
I used to have a lot of hats when It comes to the design field but this specific hat fits me very well, and I love it.
Hi, I'm John Breo Reyes, a lover of Mascots and Illustrative Logos, and this is how Breoworx started.