Meet Christopher K Wright

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

Hi Christopher K, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creativity has always been part of my story. My mother loves to remind me that even as a young child, I proudly declared I would one day be an artist—and teach art. Today, I have the privilege of doing both!

I still remember those early classroom conversations—”What do you want to be when you grow up?” While classmates rattled off dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, firefighters, or police officers, I already knew those paths weren’t for me. I didn’t always have the language for it, but I knew I was meant to create. There was something fulfilling about putting pencil to paper, turning ideas into visuals, and watching concepts take shape. Although I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I chose this path, there were a few key experiences that helped shape my future as an artist.

The first came in middle school, when I was asked to help paint a mural for a school dance. It turns out all those doodles I sketched on desks and test papers weren’t wasted effort after all! Another came in the form of a U.S. Marines recruiter visit. While others were intrigued by the pitch, I found myself fascinated by the bold visual identity of the recruitment materials—the color schemes, typography, and storytelling embedded in the design. I wasn’t interested in enlisting, but I was intrigued by the creative minds behind the message.

Perhaps the most defining moment came at the High School of Art & Design in New York City. Strangely enough, it wasn’t a classroom that left the biggest impression—it was the lunchroom. It was there that I met an incredible mix of creatives: photographers, painters, fashion designers, rappers, dancers, and of course, graffiti artists. That space became a creative melting pot where I learned to express myself freely, grasp the fundamentals from my teachers, and push my boundaries thanks to the raw talent of my peers.

Looking back on my journey, each experience has reinforced my dedication to growing as a creative professional while mentoring, molding and motivating the next generation of creative professionals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With over 30 years of professional experience, my career as a graphic designer, UI/UX professional, and professor of graphic design has truly been a dream come true—one shaped by decades of creative work, curiosity, and a commitment to both craft and community.

What I believe truly sets me apart is my unwavering consistency. I approach every project—big or small—with the same goal: to deliver high-quality, purpose-driven design that is clear, intentional, and flawlessly executed. Over the years, I’ve also learned that creativity isn’t always immediate. Patience, persistence, and a willingness to sit with the process are essential to growth and success.

I’m often reminded of a quote by Saul Bass that continues to inspire me:
”There is nothing glamorous in what I do. I’m a working man. Perhaps I’m luckier than most in that I receive considerable satisfaction from doing useful work which I, and sometimes others, think is good.”

That sentiment speaks to the heart of what I do—design with meaning. It has placed me in a position to stretch myself creatively.

A few years ago, I decided to transform many of the ideas sitting dormant in my head to canvas. I’ve discovered the freedoms of abstract paintings and character creation – fueled by my background in graffiti, street art and child-like innocence. It is this work that affords me the opportunity to look beyond my daily responsibilities as a designer and professor and into a rich future of personal creative expression.

My work exists in the space between structure and spontaneity—where bold, abstract forms meet the fluid energy of movement. I pull from the grit of 80s and 90s street culture, the fun of pop art, the elegance of modernist design, and the vibrancy of African aesthetics to create work that is both visually striking and deeply personal.

Each piece is a dialogue between precision and raw expression. Whether through layered acrylic sculptures, abstract nudes, or geometric compositions of arrows, lines, and shapes, I embrace color, depth, and contrast to evoke a sense of energy and belonging.

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?
As a Brooklyn native, the East Coast will always hold a special place in my heart—but after seven years in California, I’ve truly come to appreciate the warmth, diversity, and creative energy of the West Coast. If my best friend were visiting, I’d make it my mission to showcase all the incredible experiences this region has to offer.

We’d start with the local highlights: museums, wineries, live music, rooftop bars, hidden speakeasies, and, of course, unforgettable food. The speakeasy scene is one of the area’s best-kept secrets—I’d take them to Death & Co in L.A. for a world-class cocktail, Veuve Noire in Rancho Cucamonga for its sleek ambiance, and Wolfskill in Riverside for their tasty cocktails and amazing bartenders!

A wine tasting day in Temecula is a must. Oak Mountain Winery offers a unique cave tour experience, while Europa Village transports you to the vineyards of Europe without leaving California.

No visit is complete without exploring the diverse culinary landscape. I’d recommend Fixins Soul Kitchen for southern comfort food, Pho Anh Hotpot & Crawfish for tasty pho, and Arayaki Hibachi Food Truck for flame-grilled goodness on the go. Mamma Mia delivers classic Italian vibes, The Spirit of Texas brings barbecue heat, and El Habanero serves up authentic, homemade Mexican wet burritos!

To round out the trip, we’d swing by the Crypto.com Arena to admire the iconic statues out front, spend an afternoon exploring the art collections at LACMA, and close the night with an unforgettable live show at the legendary Fonda Theatre.
It’s a blend of culture, creativity, and California sunshine—and it never gets old.

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?
Loaded question! There are so many that I can name that helped support my efforts towards success. I don’t like naming names because someone ALWAYS gets left out! But, here goes!

Let’s start with my immediate family. I absolutely recognize their never-ending support, love, encouragement and patience as the foundation that has allowed my career to flourish. Then, in no particular order David Pakter (HS of Art & Design), Philip Meggs (VCU Professor), Lydia C. Thompson (VCU Professor + Asst. Dean), Walt Hines (IRSC Professor), Louis Paul Miller (VCU), Wade Forst (VCU), Derek Shields (HS of Art & Design), Stern Rockwell, GNOME, GEMINI, SNATCH, SPYERO and the entire Craftwork Krew (CWK), Jackie Summers, Hae Auh, Alan Ruthazer, Andrew Schaaf, Ian D. Taylor, the AIGA and the legends Josef Müller-Brockmann and Saul Bass.

Website: https://whataboutchris.com/

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

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

Other: Professional Website: https://christopherkwright.com/