Meet Edwin Villalba: Graphic Designer, Illustrator, & Photographer

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

Hi Edwin, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote by far is “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents” by Bob Ross. This quote has stuck with me since forever. To me it means that no matter what decisions you make, you keep going and succeed. It means to never let anything or anyone put you down. Continue to advance and continue to be your own self. Anything that gets in your way is just a little thing to go over.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a creative professional, I try to tell a story through anything I create wether it is personal work or work for a client. I enjoy taking on project with a need for brand identity due to the fact that I am trying to convey the clients story and meaning through their brand. These are the types of projects I am most proud of.

Getting to were I am at now was not easy, but it taught me a lot. I went through sweat, blood, and tears to get to where I am at. No, literally, sweat from working 3 or more jobs at a time while in school, lots of paper cuts and exacto knife cuts, and many nights crying to meet deadlines while taking four classes at a time. It was rough, but it taught me to be organized and become a quick thinker along with being resilient and humble. This has got me to were I am at today. I currently work as a Freelance Graphic Designer for myself and as an in-house Sr. Graphic Designer for Georgia Power.

I want the world especially people who look like me and who are like me to know that it’s ok to be gay. It’s ok to be Mexican. Be proud of who you are and enjoy all the opportunities that come your way even if you make happy little accidents along the way. It’s part of growth and part of being human. Thats what my brand and story represent.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This one is hard because I am still new to the area. Here is my list of places to go.

1. Krog Street Market. Best place with variety of food.
2. Little Trouble for drinks. The aesthetic and look of the place is SICK!
3. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is always changing and has some amazing photo opportunities.
4. Take a stroll through the belt line.
5. Get silly at the Selfie Museum
6. Visit the penguins at the Georgia Aquarium
7. Check out MODA Museum of Design Atlanta and the High Art Museum. I love museums! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had such a great support system through family, friends, educators, and mentors. There is a long list of people who have tremendously changed my life and have guided me through my career. First off, My family is my number one support. Through all my happy little life accidents, they have always been there to support, encourage, and push me to be successful. My wonderful friends who I came close with during school Kelly Payton, Major Filer, and Mattie Cagle, also designers have been such amazing humans to be around. We give each other creative criticism when we need a second opinion on designs and projects. I had an absolute blast taking classes taught by educators Erin Freeman, Sue Youngblood, and Edward Jett. They were harsh, they pushed, and encouraged me throughout school. They definitely helped me be very detail oriented in my work. I have had the opportunity to work, learn, and grow as a professional while working close with Stephen Wright Design Director at Nimble, Matt Hardiman Sr Design Director at Miller Zell, Paul Wolski Vice President and Design Director at Miller Zell., and Courtney Macca Sr Graphic designer at CBRE. Overall I have had some very rad humans in my life.

Website: www.edwinvillalba.com

Instagram: @edwinv.design

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-villalba/

Twitter: @edwinv_design

Facebook: @edwinv.design

Image Credits
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