Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Bonner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled by my parents, who were both educators. Growing up, my mom and dad, a second-grade teacher with a Master’s in Child Literacy and a middle-school math teacher, respectively, read to me and encouraged my artistic endeavors. While I initially didn’t see myself following their teaching path, ironically, I now find immense joy in mentoring as a college design instructor. Their dedication to education and literacy inspired me to utilize my art to promote learning and creativity through my Desert Dwellers Flash Cards.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a creative entrepreneur and artist, my career has blended artistic expression and strategic communication. From serving as a Creative Director for national brands to leading communications at FreeFall Aerospace, I’ve honed my skills in graphic design and business management. My journey, marked by a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design from Drexel University and a Master’s in Business Administration, has led me to create artistic educational products through my Julie Originals line. I love working with local businesses and selling my Desert Dwellers Flash Cards, original art, and art gifts in various retailers, including The Tucson Gallery.
I love raising our family in Tucson. We enjoy the diverse landscape and play tennis, run, and ski in the White Mountains in the winter. My husband, Jeff Brack, is also a creative and is passionate about filmmaking. Together, we host a bike-themed vacation home, Bikehaven. I enjoyed painting murals throughout the home and designing the brand. We host visitors from all around the world who love riding our bikes as they explore Tucson!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three key pillars have shaped my professional growth:
Time Management: Balancing creativity with productivity is essential. Over the years, I’ve learned the value of timely client feedback and iteration, ensuring that projects progress efficiently without compromising quality.
It can be challenging for creatives to know when to stop and show the client the next iteration. Designers with less experience tend to hold on to their designs until they feel they are almost perfect before showing them to clients. Now that I’ve been working with clients for approximately 18 years, I’ve learned when to show them the progress. It is much sooner than my 20-year-old self would have shown something. Through experience and trusting my intuition, I show my clients sooner to ensure we are on the right page. As long as you communicate, it’s a draft, so we can check in to ensure we are going down the right path.
Design Foundation: My education in Graphic Design laid a strong groundwork for understanding visual elements, composition, and communication strategies. This foundation guides me in all aspects of my creative work, from fine art to commercial design projects.
I earned my bachelor’s in Graphic Design at Drexel University. My foundation in design is a part of my world almost every day. When painting new pieces, I understand how to use a focal point, contrast, and hierarchy. When directing a commercial, I understand how color, tone, and typography affect the mood. When I created murals in our vacation home, I understood how scale, layout, and color palette could unify the spaces while creating visual interest.
I’m not suggesting everyone needs a four-year degree; I currently teach in a two-year Digital Arts program at a community college. However, I believe in understanding the design elements and principles if you want to become a professional creative.
Marketing: Self-promotion is a crucial aspect of thriving as an artist. Embracing marketing strategies through social media, art markets, or collaborations has been instrumental in sharing my work and connecting with a broader audience.
There are many amazing artists you have never heard of. Self-promotion doesn’t usually come naturally to creatives. It can feel like you are bragging, but it’s not. You are sharing your art with the world, letting your viewers in, and if you don’t share it, no one will see it.
Some of today’s most successful artists became known through their creative postings on social media, regular art markets, and searchable websites.
It can feel overwhelming, but I recommend focusing on one aspect to start. For example, my Desert Dwellers Flash Cards are popular with teachers, so I sold them at the Tucson Festival of Books, an annual event promoting literacy for all ages!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I remain open to collaborations and opportunities that allow me to contribute to the creative landscape and make a positive impact through art and design.
See my work:
Design and illustration business: www.JulieBonnerDesign.com
Desert Dwellers Flash Cards & Art Gifts Collection: www.JulieOriginals.com
Bikehaven Tucson Vacation Home: https://airbnb.h/bikehaven
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliebonnerdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieoriginals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieOriginals/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemariebonner/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/julieoriginals
- Other: Bikehaven – Tucson Vacation Home: https://mybikehaven.com/
Image Credits
Aubrahm Media – Headshot of Julie Bonner in The Tucson Gallery Fine Line Photography – Photos of Bikehaven Vacation Home All other images provided by Julie Bonner
