We recently had the chance to connect with Ahmad Fielder and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ahmad, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Multiple things bring me joy outside of work lately. One of them is creating abstract artwork that complements the music I make and tells a meaningful, unique story. I also recently love exploring different sounds and plug-ins I’ve never used before. I’m always looking for ways to develop/research new and refreshing textures for my songs that bring them more depth and dimension. Over the last few years, I’ve found that having hobbies you love outside of work gives you a healthy balance, reinvigorates you creatively, and helps you avoid burnout as much as possible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a color designer, musician, beat maker and visual artist. Doing these things daily is special because I have the opportunity to create something unique/innovative and tell a meaningful story. Being a color designer in the footwear industry has given me the skills to think outside the box and come up with intriguing ideas each season, which is highly crucial. I’ve also utilized this ability in my other creative endeavors. A great example is creating a conceptual instrumental album every year. Developing these albums is exciting because I have a chance to explore/brainstorm on new sounds, genres, and ideas. For instance, my latest album, ‘Emerald Soul’, is about the diverse soulful sounds I encountered while traveling overseas over the past few years. The album also symbolizes balance and harmony.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
During my early years, the people who taught me the most about work were my mother and my uncle. My mother has taught me soft skills and how pivotal it is to think critically and solve problems. She also showed me ways to be empathetic towards the people I worked with as well. Additionally, my uncle showed me how to navigate the footwear industry and how to play the game while incorporating leadership skills. These abilities are extremely important for advancing and succeeding in my career.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were a couple of times when I almost gave up, but the one that resonates with me is when my contract abruptly ended during my early years in the footwear industry due to budget constraints. It was one of the first hardships I had to go through, and I didn’t know where to go next. Thankfully, I had the right people on my side who encouraged me to get back up and try again. These moments are part of the journey, and they make us stronger as we pursue our goals and dreams. Furthermore, it builds character and helps us prepare for the next opportunity.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
You can differentiate fads and real foundational shifts in multiple ways. One example is witnessing how fads are considered boisterous and extremely temporary, especially in the fashion, footwear, or music world. Additionally, it raises consumer awareness, but it usually doesn’t carry any weight when publicity and marketing go down. With real foundational shifts, things tend to stay for a significant amount of time. It also resonates with people and makes an impact for many years to come. In other words, people may deem it as timeless or everlasting.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop the occasional self-doubt and set out to achieve every goal I have in mind, despite any potential obstacles that may arise. I would also not take my journey/path for granted and try to relish every moment. Furthermore, I would think bigger and try to accomplish my enormous dreams without living in fear of rejection, so that people after me could gain inspiration and encouragement that they, too, can achieve their wildest dreams without hesitation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ahmad-fielder.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infrared_krypto/?hl=en
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/infrared_krypto22
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