Meet Kianna Peppers | Crystal K | Graphic & Motion Designer

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

Hi Kianna, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Something I attempt to do with every project I’m given is to find the small moments to add something extra. I guess you can liken it to the idea of adding ‘cherries on top.’ For me as a primarily a visual artist, that could be as small as taking another 5-10 minutes to brainstorm on a design, or offering 1-2 more options for clients than promised. Whether it’s sports, extracurriculars, visual or performing arts, or anything you’re pursuing, It shows initiative, reliability, and establishes your willingness to go beyond the average.

In a way, this is something that I’ve unconsciously done without realizing it, but I believe adopting this habit can assist in reaching even greater heights. However, please remember that cherries are only warranted if there’s extra time. As a recovering perfectionist who has prioritized cherries over self-care in the past, these ‘extra credit’ opportunities should always be optional.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At the moment of writing this, I’m a student attending Cal State University Long Beach. However, I aspire to grow my artistic brand, “Crystal K,” specializing in Graphic Design, Motion Design, Illustration, and eventually Character Modeling. I wish to become an artist that has the ability to manifest imagination into reality. My brand’s tagline, ‘Capture The Impulse,’ encourages creating the instant inspiration strikes. Whatever my brain can conjure, I wish to have the expertise to visualize it, and I’m dedicated to learning as many mediums as I can to actualize that goal.

One of my biggest challenges thus far has been a severe case of art block that’s hindered my creativity for nearly 6 years; entirely self-created. It’s one of the reasons I’ve found simply finishing school to be a tumultuous task. I do appreciate the idea of furthering your intellect on a specific focus. However, after 6 years of an underwhelming college experience, I’ve learned that my hyper-fixated brain just isn’t compatible with the American Education System. Rather, I wish to go beyond where college can take me.

Career-wise, my focus is Graphic Design and animating my designs through motion. However on the side, I enjoy learning anatomy to strengthen my foundation in Illustration, and acquiring new mediums such as mastering software in order to broaden my artistic repertoire. I have self-taught experience with the Adobe Suite, primarily with Photoshop and After Effects. However, I hope to soon be well-versed in various other 3D programs, such as Cinema 4D, Houdini, and ZBrush.

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?
I wouldn’t consider myself a world-traveler, let along a city-traveler. Living at my computer makes me quite the boring hermit by nature. Ironically this lack of exposure is most likely why I haven’t been able to kick this art block. However, in the event that I am spontaneously out & about, I’m usually found admiring nature’s everyday miracles, such as observing a sunrise or sunset on the beach. I find long walks on California beaches to be a cathartic past-time, specifically Santa Monica for the extra entertainment and warm waves.

Then after a long-day at the beach, for me nothing is more fun than enjoying some good food at BJ’s. Their American-style menu offers something for everyone, and their world-class Pizookie is no exception; preferably Cookies ’n Cream.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For one, I’m incredibly grateful to have been born during a time where pursuing art can be seen as a viable career. It’s no secret that the introduction of technology in the 21st century has astronomically increased the value of art, and thus has allowed for marketing to live beyond the scope of printed media. Since the age of computers, Graphic Design, and in tandem Motion Design, has since become one of the more financial pursuits to share artwork. Due to this technological boon, there’s been an influx of online media to learn from, so there is no limit to knowledge via the internet.

Secondly, I would be remiss to not mention the friends and family that have supported me with undying loyalty, especially the wonderful Vanessa Hernández Cruz who referred me to Shoutout LA. Thank you so much for the shoutout, and may you continue to be a trailblazing activist that continues to touch the hearts of everyone you encounter. Vanessa is a wonderfully talented choreographer and Disability Justice Activist, and viewing her work will be well worth your time. (Insta: @galaxiesdance)

Finally, I have to thank my mother; without her, I most likely wouldn’t be where I am today. I can’t even begin to list all of the things she’s done, and didn’t have to do for me, but she lives in a category all her own. As someone who’s unabashedly supported me as a faithful lifeline since the very beginning, thank you.

Website: https://www.behance.net/kiannapeppers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalk25/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kianna-peppers-31930a138/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrystalK25/

Youtube: youtube.com/c/CrystalKittyK

Other: https://www.twitch.tv/crystalk25 Currently on Hiatus

Image Credits
Vanessa Hernández Cruz (Insta: @galaxiesdance) School of Motion