Meet Aaron Christian | Graphic Designer

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

Hi Aaron, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose to pursue a creative career because my deep rooted passion for creating things has been a constant driving force in my life, dating back to my childhood. From an early age, I gained a huge following by bringing my ideas to life through various creative outlets such as making my own stop motion videos, expressing myself through drawing, and building imaginative structures out of LEGO bricks.

The simple creative process has always been a source of joy and satisfaction for me. It is in these moments that I feel most connected to my inner self and the world around me. Whether I’m imagining a story, mixing colors on canvas, or turning a blank canvas into something filled with color, every act of creation provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Essentially, my decision to pursue an artistic or creative career stemmed from a desire to continue exploring and nurturing my creative side. This path allows me to use my passions and talents to create and contribute my perspective to the world, allowing me to find meaning and fulfillment in my work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I approach my work with fun and expressive colors. My focus is motion and I really enjoy working with sounds and animations. I like to use a sense of realism in my work, along with an amazing corresponding soundtrack that ranges from piano compositions to electronic music and atmosphere from the 90s to early 2000s to give a sense of depth and nostalgia. I like to stray away from more cartoony styles and I don’t always like to be literally in my works but rather more metephorical.

My designs reflect my lifelong passion for visual storytelling, a passion that was ignited in my early years when I aspired to create my own videos and short films. What sets me apart is my journey from initial frustration to finding my true artistic calling in motion graphics. I’m most proud of my ability to combine my graphic design background with dynamic 3D motion and title sequencing to continue to push the boundaries of creativity. My artistic journey has been a fascinating and ever evolving odyssey, driven by my early fascination with creating short form video content. This curiosity and deep connection to the world of visual media naturally led me toward a career in the arts.

During my elementary school years, aged 11 to 12, I found myself interested in creative projects in various classes. However, when it comes to expressing myself through art, I often gravitate toward darker, more mysterious themes. My choices were just a reflection of my creativity, but unfortunately, my teachers viewed them negatively. This led to me meeting with my parents to discuss concerns about my mental state.

My mother, an immigrant from China who made many sacrifices for my education, decided to transfer me to a private school after I was in fifth grade. Although my teachers discouraged me, I was still determined to follow this path. However, the transition to private school is not without its challenges. The more restrictive environment was at odds with my creative tendencies, and I was criticized for doodling in notebooks, textbooks, or creating fancy PowerPoint presentations. This constant criticism took a toll on my creative spirit.

I pushed through high school with no clear direction, feeling lost and unsure if I would ever find a field I truly loved. It wasn’t until the end of high school that my mother’s influence rekindled my interest in art. After some trial and error, building a strong portfolio, and taking a gap year after high school, I created a compelling portfolio that earned me admission to ArtCenter College of Design.

My true artistic journey began at the ArtCenter where I initially explored graphic design. Making posters and books brings me great joy and allows me to improve my skills in design principles, composition and visual communication. However, it was a motion design class that really ignited my creative passion. In that class, I experienced an unparalleled sense of accomplishment. The dynamic nature of motion graphics allows me to breathe life into my designs, infusing them with dynamic typography and abstract patterns. Despite initial doubts about my abilities in motion graphics, I persevered.

Over the next semester, I felt like I lacked enthusiasm in my work. It was at this stage that the unwavering support and encouragement of my girlfriend and friends played a crucial role in my journey. Their belief in my potential motivated me to return to motion graphics, and I am extremely grateful for their support.

Since then I’ve had a keen interest in 3D action and title sequencing. I spend countless hours on platforms like Instagram, immersed in mesmerizing 3D and 2D animations, constantly seeking inspiration for my work. I also regularly explore resources such as The Art of the Title and the school library to gather new ideas for title sequencing projects.

What makes me unique as a designer is my relentless pursuit of creativity and my ability to blend my graphic design background with the world of motion graphics. I learned that challenges are an inherent part of any creative journey, but our determination and support system enable us to overcome them. Through my experience I have found that simplicity can be an advantage and our unique perspective often sets my work apart.

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?
My ultimate idea of a perfect time revolves around exploration and adventure into new and exciting destinations. When it comes to satisfying my food cravings, the one place that never disappoints is charming Old Town Pasadena. My favorite restaurant there is the Poke Salad Bar, famous for its healthy but tasty Poke Bowl.

One of my favorite places to hit up is the vibrant and culturally rich Arts District right by Little Tokyo. The place is a treasure trove, with an abundance of bookstores, a colorful array of eye catching buildings, and a stream of new art galleries and exhibitions. It’s a paradise for an art and design lovers. Along with these artistic delights, the area offers a delightful array of novelty shops and delightful BBQ and ice cream joints to explore.

My passion for cars and motorsport is another aspect of my life that I deeply cherish. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in this passion. I especially love visiting car museums such as the Peterson Automotive Museum and Nethercutt Collection. These are definitely must sees for any car enthusiast.

Then there’s the thrill of the open road. I have an insatiable love for driving. Whether it’s Angeles Crest Highway providing an exciting adventure that makes you feel on top of the world. Or, taking a leisurely cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze, making every trip an unforgettable experience.

I have high abundances of energy when it comes to day trips and seeing many of these in a day is a trip you won’t forget.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my mother, who made huge sacrifices to allow me to pursue my dreams. Her unwavering belief in my potential and determination to provide me with opportunities were instrumental in getting me to where I am today.

Next, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my girlfriend Eleanor. She has been by my side during my most difficult times, providing not only emotional support but constant encouragement. She is a ray of sunshine in my life. Her belief in me, even when I doubted myself, has been the driving force of my journey.

I must also recognize and commend our design peers at the Art Center. Their friendship, shared passion for creativity and collaborative spirit have been a constant source of inspiration. We push each other to grow as artists together, and for that, they truly deserve credit and recognition in my story.

These individuals and groups have been pillars of strength, motivation, and inspiration throughout my artistic journey, and I am so grateful for their presence in my life.

Website: https://aaronchristian.webflow.io

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

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/aaron-christian-7b0489262

Twitter: @aaronone77