We were lucky to catch up with Russell Schramm recently and have shared our conversation below.
Russell, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Finding one’s purpose is, for most people, a journey of trial and error, searching and accepting what truly lights up both your brain and your heart and what does not. It requires openness, sensitivity, self discipline, and the acceptance that the only real failure is not trying something new. You must listen to and develop your intuition as a guide to what the next step may be, and hold focus on that, even through the noise of other people’s and societies expectations and demands.
This is how I eventually found my purpose, which at some point I distilled into this: to move the human spirit in a positive way, in whatever creative form that takes. From an early age growing up in Detroit, MI, I was always artistically creative, much more sensitive and responsive to Art and Design than Math or Science or other pragmatic fields. I credit this with the fact that there was definitely a creative gene in both my immediate and extended family – my Mom in particular has always had amazing natural born abilities to draw, paint, and create, with no training – it was just innate, and that passed down to my sister and I too.
Even though I had this ability, it was not easy to accept that being a “creative type” would be my purpose in life and what I would do for a living. Because I excelled in all areas of academia, the idea of getting college degrees in Art or Design didn’t seem like a practical thing to do in the real world – at the time I didn’t acknowledge that the ability to create is actually a gift, not to be wasted.
Another contributor to finding my purpose was bonding with other artsy, outsider, “weirdo”, new wave/punk types in high school and college. We formed our identities on not fitting in and because of that we were drawn to art, music, fashion, and nightlife that was not mainstream – those were very formative years and I loved every minute of it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
To be honest I never really had a totally thought out plan regarding my work and career – somehow and often serendipitously opportunities appeared as they were meant to, one adventure leading to another. Though I really felt like a Fine Artist, I thought that I had to be at least a little bit practical, so I studied and received my BFA in Interior Architecture. After working in various
Interior Design jobs, I didn’t feel satisfied, but wasn’t sure what to do next. So randomly, mostly based on my love for the sets in Tim Burton movies, I found out there was a graduate program in Set Design for Theater (which I knew absolutely nothing about) at my undergraduate college. I had a portfolio review of my work and was awarded a MI Governor’s Arts Award, which offered me a fully paid 3 year MFA in Set Design and Technology, with weekly stipend and insurance – I was very scared to accept it but knew it was an opportunity not to miss so took the leap into the unknown.
After graduating, I designed sets for many, many Theatre productions and also found extensive work as a Scenic Artist, which naturally put my painting and Fine Art skills to use. Through that and in other Design jobs I was able to learn and develop with every new experience building on the previous ones.
Feeling the need for another challenge, I moved to NYC in 2000, where I continued working as a Designer and Scenic Artist, until another random opportunity appeared just when I needed it, an offer of working in Television (something I never even considered.)
So for the past 15 years I have primarily worked as an Art Director and Set Designer in Television, starting on the soap operas, then morning shows and others, as well as gigs in NYC and LA in Film and Music Videos (including Art Directing two Dua Lipa videos and others). Outside of that I wrote, illustrated, and self published a children’s book, “The Incredible Adventures of Medusa Blink” (which I would love to some day develop into an animated film or stage production) painted both people and pet portraits, worked on Holiday display windows, toy exhibits, and more.
I’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy all the various areas of Art and Design I’ve had the opportunity to explore (and get paid to do) – each discipline uses different vocabulary and tools but all are related, and all serve to fulfil my creative purpose.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Openness, courage, and adaptability are some key factors that contributed to my creative journey. Be willing to connect and learn from others, let go of ego, look for inspiration everywhere, and learn to listen to your intuition to help guide you. There will be many challenges and rejections that will make you want to give up but find a way to hold on to hope, because everything is temporary and a test – you have no idea what amazing opportunity may be just around the corner.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am definitely open to collaborate on fun creative projects with other fun creative people – help in turning my children’s book into an animated short film, environmental design or painting for art installations, art direction for music videos, mural painting, or any other stimulating project. You can find me online – feel free to email me and let’s see what we can create!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://russellschrammdesign.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellblink/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellschramm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
