Meet Jalan Ward | Artist & Graphic Designer & Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jalan Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jalan, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
It may sound crazy or even cliche, but literally everything in the world inspires me. From people, to land, to buildings, colors, science, films, you name it! As a kid I was always intrigued with thing’s from all different elements. What that did for me was showcase my interest in becoming a multifaceted person. Being able to be inspired by so many thing’s make it easy to take something you’re inspired by, and apply it into your craft. If I wake up and say “I want to go to the mountains and take photos with my film camera” I will because nature and mountains inspire me, plus I love photography. Same thing with people, I come across so many people from all different backgrounds, and I’ve been able to understand most people since I know that in some way we all share similarities which actually inspires me to continue getting to know people.

I’m inspired by the entire world and what it provides to us as humans with our intelligence, and existence.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love every dynamic of what an “artist” entails. Art is present all around and us and that intrigues me. There are no limitations to your creative abilities in modern-day form. As an unorthodox graphic designer/creative/artist, I am someone who uses the world as a canvas. I like to study the past, present, and future of culture. This leads to implementing my ideas inside of my work to give a new, and fresh perspective towards my brand. Whether it’s creating graphics, garment design, writing books, and even traveling just to photograph pictures of the world; there are no limits to what I will do next.

What I am most proud of is being able to continue learning, growing, and evolving as an artist and brand owner. I want to share everything I’ve incorporated with the next generation of creatives, and future brand owners. I do not know what the future holds, nor am I thinking about where I want to be 5-10 years from now with my work. I fell in love with being present and creating a new world for others to feel comfortable with being a part of. Currently, everything is changing within myself, and my brand, but that is inevitable. I love who I am becoming, I find it more intriguing every day. The most important thing is that it’s very relatable as far as being a person that people can understand, and be inspired by.

There are so many challenges professionally that I’ve had to overcome and currently still going through. This journey is not easy at all, and I did not have a mentor to inform me on what I was going to involve myself with so I’ve been learning most of the ins and outs of business by myself. The business side of my brand can be a lot to take on, and I’m glad I’ve got this far but it has reached a point where I would need to outsource to find help. With doing so, I have been able to meet genuine people who actually would to help because they believe in what I’ve created.

In actuality, you can be a creative person and not have the proper mechanics to showcase your special work. It’s in my genetic make-up to create things, so nothing is ever stressful to me when I have barriers in front of me, it’s more-so a code that need’s to be self-developed, or modified. The variety of things I engage myself in really helps balance my brand, and my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As someone who enjoys the arts, I would off bat take my friend to a few of the museums, and art exhibits to get a feel of the talented artists in the area, and to educate them. Giving them a true experience in the city, and just to showcase the creative side of the city.

Since I enjoy being outside in nature, the couple of things I would add on the itinerary is hiking, lake/park therapy, trail walking, morning meditation, and attending upcoming festivals whether it’s a food, art, or even music festival in the city for that week. I’ll probably add indoor skydiving as well because I’m an adrenaline junkie.

In regards to food and drinks, I would prefer to make it an enjoyable experience to try foods they aren’t familiar with in the city. I would like to do an all day food tour on top of including a drink tour as well to some of the places the city is known for.

Each day would be something new and different.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s quite a few people I would like to shoutout. First the man above, because there is no way I would have been able to get this far without his grace. My family and friends, the true support system I have that motivates me to continue doing what I love.

To be more personal, I really want to shoutout James Whitner and The Whitaker Group for believing in me and giving me a chance to expand my brand’s platform inside of their stores (Social Status & APB) across the east coast. Without them taking a chance on me, it would have been a challenge knowing you can be overlooked in the industry.

Lastly, I want to shoutout my Alma Mater, North Carolina A&T State University. They provided me the tools I needed to take everything I’ve learned there and apply it back into the world in many forms.

Website: TheProudBlackBrand.Com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proudblackbrand/

Twitter: twitter.com/proudblackbrand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProudBlackBrand/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@proudblackbrand

Image Credits
Winston (@AliusDesignCo.) , Colin Rex (@ColinTRex)