We were lucky to catch up with Kyle DeSean Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kyle DeSean, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I witnessed a gradual growth of self-esteem with time and my true point of self-assurance developed with age. Now in my late 40s, I think I’ve settled into a confident cruise control. When I was in high school in the early 90s’, I pretended to like the same Rap MCs that all of the black students did, when in actuality I was more into artists such as the UMCs and Leaders of the New School. I resonated with their uplifting vibes and infectious rhymes at a time when it looked dorky to crack a smile and be happy. By my junior year, I had developed a sort of respect from my classmates as being smart, quirky, and creative, and by the time I reached college, there was no one around to remember or care that I once sported Rayon shirts and Z-Cavaricci pants.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I lead a small branding and design studio under the name Bullet Art Direction & Design. My official line is that I help brands improve their visibility and recognition through carefully crafted art direction and design. But what I will tell you is that I’m a designer with over twenty years of proven experience, so my work is good…really good.
Almost all of my design clients are beauty-based and I’m surrounded by samples of shampoos, conditioners, toners, and foundations. I’m primarily a packaging designer, but one of my popular services is product and still-life photography. I just finished a photo shoot in which I needed to carefully cut and crumble a dozen mineral foundations. It was such a mess but the client is going to love the images.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1.) I have a colleague who told me early on to never say no to opportunities. There are times when we might find ourselves having to turn down a job but keep the door open for the right kind of opportunity. It might end up being something outside of your expertise, but if there is a strong willingness to learn, then there is an equally strong willingness to deliver. It’s how any of us acquire new skills and level up.
2.) Be willing to dance. Not that you have to be a dancer, but be willing to step onto the floor and show people what you got. As a dancer myself, I cannot count how many close friends and connections I’ve made in a cypher or social setting. I love dancing so much that I became an instructor. My students may start off trying to follow my footwork, but just ten minutes into class I start to see each of them uniquely moving and expressing themselves not as best as they know how, but exactly as they are. I think that we are true to ourselves when we dance and it would be great if we could be so in other aspects of our being.
3.) Lastly, go outside and see how small your world might be compared to the world at large. It could mean immersing oneself in another country or simply in another community. I can’t speak for other careers but design is a visual language filled with both outright bold and subtle colors, patterns, and regional elements. I strongly believe that exposure to these elements gave me an edge in my journey as a designer.
In sum, it’s all a willingness to see things outside of our perspective. And once we’ve done so, our mental toolbox becomes equipped with the right knowledge and skill to confidently handle any situation.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
No doubt it would be my mom who desperately wanted me to become a nurse like her instead of a designer. My younger brother and I were the first to attend college so there were high expectations in place. She grew up in an era where there we no Black creatives so I had to convince her that I knew what I was doing. With a captivating speech and a packaging demonstration with the brands in her cupboards, she came to accept my chosen career path. If she were still with us today I’m sure she would be happy that I’ve matured in my career and still delivering packaging demonstrations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bullet-ad.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyledeseanjohnson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-desean-johnson-81b84115
Image Credits
©Kyle Desean Johnson
