Meet Muddyum | UX Designer & Illustrator

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

Hi Muddyum, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
You know to keep going if you feel it in your gut this is what you are supposed to do, it brings you joy and you can’t see yourself doing anything else.

Don’t give up too quickly. Everyone is born with a special gift to give the world. Sometimes you may need to take some time off if it isn’t bringing you joy at the moment. I took off many years from Illustration and focused on UX Design because it wasn’t making me happy. Part of that was because Illustration wasn’t making me money and I couldn’t find work in it. Eventually, I came back to it when I spent some time in Guatemala for 6 months. I bought some art supplies down there and I started painting again. I reconnected with myself as an artist. I had a moment where I said to myself “This is who you are. This is why you went to art school. This is why you moved to NYC.” I knew that this was something I had to keep doing even if I never made any money from it.

Recently, I feel like I am being pulled towards new creative passions. I have learned to trust where my creative energy is going. Right now it’s taking me to comedy rapping. New rap ideas and lyrics are flowing out of me right now so I am focusing on that. I know I will circle back to painting again.

You know when to give up when it is not bringing you joy anymore, but really think about why it is not bringing you joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am multi-passionate. I am a UX Designer and I am currently working at a large tech company. I also do illustration on the side and I recently have been doing stand-up comedy and rap.

Always continue to learn. A few years into working in UX I saw that I needed help in speaking and communication. So I started to do improv and stand up and now I perform in NYC comedy clubs. I would have never thought even a few years ago this would be my life.

I had to really hustle to get where I am today and I am still hustling. I had to put in the work for UX Design and Illustration. There were so many times I got rejected for jobs I wanted. I am so glad those redirections happened because it all has led me to where I am now in this moment. All of the things I have done have flowed together. Illustration helped me transition into UX. Stand-up helped me speak more confidently as a UX Designer and Illustrator.

You don’t have to be just one type of artist. Explore as much as you can. Right now. I am exploring creative ways to express myself with words.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: I would take them to Prospect Park and then Luanne’s Wild Ginger on Franklin Ave in Brooklyn. After, I would go to The Stand on 16th and watch Kutti Gang’s comedy show.

Day 2: I would take them to Domino Park and then take them to Bunna Cafe for dinner.

Day 3: If they wanted to do something touristy like see the Statue of Liberty I would take them on the Staten Island Ferry and then go to eat at Lakruwana in Staten Island.

Day 4: Take them to Magnolia’s Bakery and to Central Park. Then we would go back to The Stand and watch Brown Mirror’s comedy show.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In general, doing improv and stand-up comedy has helped so much in my design career and helped me feel more confident in interviews and life in general.

Website: www.muddyum.com

Instagram: @muddyum

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muddyum/

Image Credits
My headshot was done by @kault_photography – www.kaultphotography.com