Meet Brittney Murdoch

 

We recently connected with Brittney Murdoch and have shared our conversation below.

Brittney , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

To be honest, I’m still navigating life after a layoff. In March 2024, I lost my role as VP of Global Product Design at Vampyre Cosmetics due to the company’s legal troubles. To make matters worse, they still owe me over $30,000, and I’m pursuing legal action. Losing my dream job has been a double blow – it’s not just an emotional setback, but also a significant disruption to my life’s stability.

Currently, I’m rebuilding my career, but it’s come with an 80%+ pay decrease. I’m actively working on revitalizing my portfolio site, collaborating with new clients, and fostering fresh business relationships. While it’s not a quick fix, I’m committed to getting back on my feet.

This experience has also taught me the value of diversifying my client portfolio, ensuring I’m never too reliant on a single client or industry. By spreading my wings and exploring all my opportunities, I’m able to create a more resilient and sustainable career. Not only that, but I am also able to do more in life than I would otherwise be able to do.

What’s kept me going throughout this challenging time is the love and support of my family. My 3-year-old daughter’s bright smile and infectious laughter remind me of the beauty in life, not to mention watching how fearless she is to explore. While my husband’s unwavering encouragement and belief in me give me the strength to keep pushing forward. Despite everything we have been through, he supports my goals.

They’re my beacon of hope and my drive, motivating me to work harder and create a better future for us all.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a designer with a passion for the darker side of things, I love crafting unique visual experiences that transport clients and audiences to enchanted realms. By day, I’m the creative force behind Viridian Valley Design, but to friends and fans, I’m Batty Goth – a nickname that’s stuck since Jr. high.

Art has been my lifelong passion. I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember, and I sold my first piece at around the age of 12 for $250. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a professional artist, but it wasn’t until later that I realized I’d never actually not been one. The fire that drove me to create as a child still burns furiously within me today.

What gets me the most excited is merging my love of dark whimsy, and nerdness with the innovative design principles that I learned during my time at S.C.A.D. (Savannah College of Art and Design). After working with Vampyre Cosmetics I also discovered an nestolgic obsesstion for creating offically licensed products with I.P.s that I adore!

At Viridian Valley Design, my goal is to “nurture creativity from concept to capture” – which basically means I get to help fellow creatives, entrepreneurs, and like-minded folks bring their brand’s mystique to life. No matter their chosen aesthetic!

I’m currently focused on rebuilding and expanding my design business, and I’m excited to see where this new chapter takes me.

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?

Looking back, I’ve identified three key qualities that have been pretty critical in my journey: resilience, curiosity, and authenticity.

Resilience has been crucial in helping me navigate the ups and downs of a creative career. From dealing with self-doubt and criticism to persevering through setbacks and rejections, resilience has allowed me to stay focused on my goals and keep moving forward. Even when things seem to be at their worst.

Curiosity has always driven me to continuously learn and explore new ideas, techniques, and mediums. I love working with different materials! This innate curiosity has helped me stay adaptable and innovative, which is essential in the ever-evolving creative industry. Adding to the uncertainty of staying relevant in one’s career, AI technology is rapidly changing the landscape and not necessarily for the best.

Authenticity is vital in shaping one’s unique voice and style. By embracing my quirks (both good and bad) and staying true to my artistic vision, I’ve been able to differentiate myself and attract like-minded clients and collaborators.

For those early in their journey, I’d advise:

– Cultivate resilience by embracing failure as a learning opportunity and focusing on progress rather than perfection. Meeting deadlines is often more important than striving for perfection.

– Nurture curiosity by setting aside time for experimentation, learning new skills, and exploring different creative disciplines. Get out and meet people! Reach out, even if you don’t think they’ll respond. Nothing will happen unless you take the first step.

– Prioritize authenticity by staying true to your unique perspective and artistic voice, even when faced with criticism or self-doubt. Compare yourself only to who you were yesterday.

Remember, your journey is unique, and it’s essential to stay focused on your own growth and development rather than comparing yourself to someone with different opportunities and obstacles.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always on the lookout for like-minded creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators to collaborate with. I’m drawn to individuals who share my passion for the darker, whimsical, and fantastical.

My artistic tastes tend to lean towards the mysterious and ornate, with a fondness for Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles. The Victorian era’s romanticism and mysticism also resonate deeply with me. Fantasy, sci-fi, and retro aesthetics often find their way into my work as well.

If you’re a fellow creative who resonates with my aesthetic and values, I’d love to connect. Here are some potential collaboration opportunities:

– Dark, whimsical, and fantastical artists, illustrators, and writers who’d like to co-create projects, exhibits, or publications.

– Entrepreneurs and small business owners in the goth, alternative, and occult niches who need bespoke design services to elevate their brand.

– Innovators and makers who’d like to collaborate on immersive experiences, events, or installations that blend art, technology, and mysticism.

If any of these opportunities resonate with you, I’d love to connect! You can reach me through my website or social media channels!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Batty Goth (Brittney Murdoch)

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