Hosts Profile
Courtney Morgan: Host of "Only Other Designers," leading conversations on identity and creative practice.
Nicholas Mitchell: Guest host for this episode.
Shawn Blake: Guest host for this episode.
Production Credits
Host: Courtney Morgan
Executive Producer: Natalia Granados Pinzon, Varun Gole
Music Selection: Brandon Woody
Production Support: Parson School of Design
HIGHLIGHTS
Jade's Journey to Full-Time Artist: From fashion marketing to digital art, including early roles at Macy's and Moroccan Oil, and the pivotal decision to pursue freelance work.
Confidence and Self-Taught Success: Overcoming fears about finances and the lack of formal design training, building confidence through self-study and perseverance.
Client Selection & Boundaries: Jade's unique approach to "interviewing" clients, setting parameters for projects based on personal feelings, budget, and collaborative spirit.
The Role of an Agent: How an agent frees up an artist's time by handling client communications, negotiations, and securing fair budgets.
Personal Branding & Marketing: Leveraging a marketing background to effectively share work, design a welcoming website, and lead with personal identity as the biggest asset.
Developing a Unique Style: The evolution of Jade's joyful, fashion-driven, 60s/70s-inspired style and the process of creating a distinctive visual language.
Mindset for Artists: Knowing when a project is "good enough," prioritising emotional well-being over solely large budgets, and the importance of saying no.
Legal & Business Acumen: The necessity of legal support for contracts and rights, and the contrast between formal design education and intuitive practice.
Emerging Technologies: Perspectives on NFTs (her experience with a woman-led organization called BFF) and the ethical implications of AI in design.
Industry Conversations: The call for more black-run representation agencies and the importance of educating youth about diverse creative business roles.
Mentorship and Community: Sharing her story and insights to empower black and brown designers, particularly regarding rates and contract negotiations.
Inspiration: Sources including living in New York, fashion, Verner Panton, and Milton Glaser.
Dream Project: Designing an entire hotel from top to bottom
SUMMARY
Welcome to "Only Other Designers," the show where friends talk design, exploring the intersection of identity and creative practice and uncovering what often remains hidden. In this insightful episode, hosts Courtney Morgan, Nicholas Mitchell, and Sha Blake are joined by the incredible digital artist, Jade Purple Brown.
Jade, known for her vibrant work that references pop art and draws from the free-spirited ethos of the 1960s and 70s, shares her unique journey. She discusses her transition from studying fashion marketing and management with aspirations in styling to becoming a full-time artist. The conversation delves into showing up as one's true self, creating art where black and brown people can see themselves, and empowering others through joy and curiosity.
Listen in as Jade details the challenges and triumphs of building her own lane after experiences in corporate art direction at Macy's and Moroccan Oil. She opens up about the fears of pivoting to full-time freelance work, particularly concerning financial stability and her self-taught design background, and how she cultivated unwavering confidence. The episode also explores the critical aspects of client discernment, setting boundaries, and the strategic role of an agent in managing communications and negotiations. Jade's discussion extends to her business acumen, developed through her marketing background, and the importance of leading with one's personal brand and visual language.
Beyond her personal narrative, the episode touches upon broader industry topics such as the use of NFTs and AI in art, navigating legal aspects of creative practice, and the crucial conversation about the underrepresentation of people of color in the creative industry. Jade passionately advocates for more black-run representation agencies and emphasizes the power of mentorship and community in the design world
EP 01 Jade Purple Brown: Leading with Authenticity, Crafting Autonomy, and Designing for Impact
Only Other Designer
Jade Purple Brown is a Brooklyn-based digital artist who embodies self-expression and the pursuit of dreams. Her vibrant, joyful work distinctly references pop art and draws significant inspiration from the free-spirited ethos and aesthetics of the 1960s and 70s. Jade's artistic mission is to create art in which black and brown people can see themselves, fostering empowerment, joy, and curiosity.
A self-taught designer, Jade initially pursued a career in fashion styling, studying fashion marketing and management, which provided her with a strong business foundation that she now applies to her full-time art practice. After pivotal experiences as an art director at Macy's and Moroccan Oil, she strategically built her own freelance client base, eventually enabling her to leave corporate roles and become a full-time artist five years ago. She emphasizes leading with her authentic self and distinct point of view, considering her identity as her biggest asset in her brand partnerships and work. Jade is represented by an agent who handles client communications and negotiations, allowing her to focus on her creative output. She is committed to taking on projects that align with her values and bring her joy, believing that this approach attracts more of what she loves.