Meet Jo Pinzon

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

Hi Jo, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think of risk as giving yourself the chance to go after something that feels true and real, even when the way ahead is unclear. Coming from Panama, I embraced the prospect of leaving everything I knew and felt comfortable with to relocate to the United States to immerse myself in what were already risky waters – the creative field. I made it all the way to New York City relatively unscathed but with no stable plans for the future of my graphic design career, a classic girl with a suitcase and a dream situation. As I was treading these waters, the people in my life suggested I shift my focus to more commercially viable work, but it felt out of sync with who I am. Instead, I took the risk to continue making conceptual, intricate design work and marketing myself that way until I successfully found my niche. This has allowed me to design with layers of meaning that create genuine, unique experiences to connect to people’s humanity. Ultimately, taking those risks has not only shaped my career so far but also confirmed that staying true to what feels true to me is the most powerful path forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love telling stories through design. To me, it’s about more than just creating visuals—it’s about making all the custom pieces fit together to convey meaning and connecting with people on a deeper level. Because of my desire to keep design human, I stayed away from more commercial routes that often prioritize mass appeal and being straightforward. Instead, I focused on crafting work that resonates on a personal level, telling stories that reflect the complexities of human experience. I got to where I am today by pushing through the bumps in the road and honoring this need to touch people’s hearts. Reaching out to others who share this feeling and being genuine, even when etiquette or insecurity held me back, played a big role in building relationships that I want to keep and help me grow professionally. Along the way, I’ve learned that the importance of being a person before an employee is something that is only starting to be valued. It is important to grow in a space that recognizes that and allows you to make mistakes in order to become better. I would want to be remembered as someone who injects life into everything they touch. I believe the digital age doesn’t have to be sterile or standardized, and by keeping design meaningful we avoid falling into a robotic world. Ultimately, I want my work to inspire others to embrace authenticity and the human touch, ensuring that even in an increasingly digital world, we never lose the soul of what makes us connect.

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.
New York is filled with unique places to see. A perfect day for me would start by grabbing coffee and donuts at Fan Fan Doughnuts and walking to Fort Greene Park to lay in the grass a while. Then, I’d visit El Museo del Barrio which I love for all its efforts to uplift and preserve Latin American voices and stories. To end the night, I’d go to Ornithology Jazz Club, a really cozy space with live jazz and good drinks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Classically, my parents are the ones to blame for my success so far. I feel incredibly lucky to have parents who never once complained or tried to dissuade me from pursuing a career in the creative field, even when it meant moving to a different country and stepping into the unknown. Their belief in me, no matter the challenges, has given me the confidence to do what I love most in the way I love most. I’m forever grateful for their unwavering encouragement and love.

Website: jopinzon.com

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