Meet Travis Duda

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Travis Duda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Travis below.

Travis , 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.

I feel like I discovered my purpose early on, which is to connect people and create. My interest in graphic design showed itself pretty early, whether it was the books of monsters I’d draw with my friends or when I made my brother jump over me in his rollerblades so I could turn it into the jankiest magazine article. Throughout high school, I bounced from group to group, never quite fitting in anywhere outside of the shop classes. I eventually found my place in music, playing in heavy metal/hardcore bands for years. The independent music scene taught me the value of community, with bands supporting each other by trading shows and sharing resources.

When my band days ended, I shifted my focus to building brands for businesses. I started moonlighting and eventually took the leap to full-time, creating logos, branding, and marketing materials for HBG Branding + Design. Like many things in life, success in this field often comes down to who you know. I’ve continued to build community through my involvement with various organizations in Worcester, such as POW! WOW! Worcester, Seltzer Time, Technocopia, WOOtenanny Comedy, and Art Reach. Over the past decade, my goal has been to help make Worcester a welcoming, supportive, and uplifting community for all.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am an artist and graphic designer with a passion for community, connecting people, and creating. Currently, I work full-time at HBG Branding + Design, where my team and I specialize in creating logos, branding, and marketing materials for businesses and organizations throughout the region. My journey into graphic design began at a young age and has been a constant thread throughout my life, from making homemade zines and t-shirts to Myspace pages for bands, to now making life easier for local organizations and ensuring their design represents the quality of work they do.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to bring a brand’s vision to life. Each project is unique, presenting its own set of challenges and creative possibilities. Our profession is more about problem-solving than aesthetics, so whether it’s designing a logo that captures the essence of a company or developing a comprehensive branding strategy, I find immense satisfaction in seeing my work help businesses grow and succeed.

Beyond my professional work, I am deeply involved in the Worcester community. Over the past decade, I have collaborated with various community-focused organizations. As a transplant, this felt like the best way to immerse myself in Worcester culture and show, rather than tell, that I am here to help and create cool stuff. These experiences have not only enriched my life but have also allowed me to contribute to making Worcester a more vibrant and inclusive place.

Currently, I am focused on expanding the reach of HBG Branding + Design. We are working on several exciting projects, including a redesign of the Worcester Public Library logo. Additionally, I am working with Jess Curtin to revitalize Punkcake Alterno Art, now known as Punkcake Independent Publishing. Our main offering is a zine dedicated to the weird and eclectic art and creativity in the region. We are also creating workshops to help locals make their own zines and get their voices heard.

I am always looking for new ways to connect with people and make a positive impact through design, art, or community efforts. Whether through my professional work or community involvement, my goal remains the same: to create and connect.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Creativity: From a young age, creativity has been a driving force in my life. My parents encouraged us to create whenever possible and allowed us to fail. It’s essential to think outside the box and bring unique ideas to the table while not being afraid of what might happen if it isn’t perfect. For those early in their journey, I advise embracing your creative instincts and continually seeking inspiration from different sources, whether it be art, music, literature, or everyday life. Never stop experimenting and pushing the boundaries of your imagination. Keep a sketchbook or journal to jot down ideas, attend workshops or classes to refine your skills, and surround yourself with creative people and environments. You are what you think.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt has been very important in my journey. Transitioning from Connecticut to Massachusetts after college, not knowing anyone up here, and still being able to build connections and opportunities was crucial. As a small business owner, I cannot blame a lack of resources for failures when I know that the real culprit is a lack of resourcefulness. The design industry is constantly changing, with new trends and technologies emerging regularly. For those starting out, it’s important to stay curious and open-minded. Embrace change and be willing to learn new skills. Flexibility and the ability to pivot when necessary can open up new opportunities and keep you relevant in your field. Stay updated with industry trends, take online courses or workshops to learn new tools and techniques, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Give yourself away for a little while, but make it intentional. Plenty of people want free work, but as the one with the skills, you get to choose something that aligns with your missions, whether it’s a local food pantry, community organization, or group that aligns with your values.

Community Building: Building and being part of the Worcester community has been immensely rewarding. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know amazing people in my own city and learning about how our efforts are more similar than different. Collaboration and networking are key. For those early in their journey, I recommend actively seeking out and engaging with communities related to your interests. Attend events, volunteer, and build genuine relationships. Community building not only helps in gaining support and resources but also enriches your personal and professional life. Network genuinely by showing interest in others’ work, participate in community events and projects, and offer your skills and time to support community initiatives.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I certainly am. We are eager to connect with growing organizations or businesses that want to concentrate on their core products or services and need a partner to align their brand with their mission. Our goal is to craft a comprehensive communication strategy that effectively conveys their message while taking the burden of design and marketing work off their plate. While we have a particular interest in the food and beverage industry, our expertise spans various sectors, and we enjoy building a network of potential collaborators for future opportunities.

The best way to connect with me is through social media at @hunchbacktravis, via our website at HunchbackGraphics.com, or by joining us at one of our free monthly No Jerks Networking events that happen around Worcester. These events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Joseph Gonzalez-Dufresne, Vanessa White, Jessica Curtin, Kevin La, Joe Jacobs

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