Meet Mackenzie Costa | Freelance Graphic Designer

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

Hi Mackenzie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a Los Angeles-based graphic designer born and raised in Bermuda, risk-taking has been an integral part of my journey. I view risk as an opportunity for growth and innovation rather than a barrier to success. Moving to Los Angeles and pursuing a career in such a competitive industry required courage and a willingness to step outside of my comfort zone. By taking risks, I’ve discovered resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of fulfillment in my work. While not every risk may lead to immediate success, each experience has been a valuable learning opportunity that has contributed to my personal and professional development. In essence, risk-taking has been the catalyst for turning my dreams into reality.

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 am a Los Angeles-based freelance designer, born and raised in Bermuda, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from California Institute of the Arts. Specializing in the fashion, music, and entertainment industries, I possess a deep understanding of contemporary aesthetics and design principles. Keeping up with current design trends intertwined with being experimental is at the core of my artistic process. I love to dabble in all channels of design but am especially excited by apparel and merchandise design projects. My design style blends experimentation and contemporary sophistication with bold, playful, and sometimes satirical elements, all while maintaining the aesthetic and functional needs of my clients. Each design is crafted with a purpose, aiming to make a positive impact and convey meaningful messages. Overall, my style is characterized by its fusion of modernity, playfulness, and social consciousness, ensuring engaging and empathetic design.

Design has enabled me to be my most authentic self, it has given me the power to draw inspiration from my own culture, cultivate my individual creative process, and imbued in me the importance and necessity of research to execute conceptual but contemporary design ideas effectively. What sets me apart from others is that I am not afraid to take risks, incredibly detail-oriented, and self-motivated. With a foundation from CalArts, I take pride in my ability to experiment and execute physical printing processes like screen and risograph printing, skills that set me apart in the industry.

I take pride in my ability to bring abstract ideas to life and create designs that leave a lasting impression. Currently, I’m excited about the diverse range of projects I’m working on, from designing merchandise for musicians to creating brand identities, publications, and marketing collateral.

My journey has been filled with both challenges and accomplishments. From working at established brands like Teddy Fresh and PacSun to collaborating with industry-leading advertising and design agencies, I’ve learned to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. I’ve never been one to wait for opportunities to come to me; instead, I’ve actively sought out companies that align with my values and aspirations, approaching them with courage, confidence, and a relentless drive to pursue what I desire.

I’ve come to understand that success isn’t solely about having talent and opportunities fall into your lap; it’s about the relentless dedication and perseverance you put into your craft. It’s about embracing challenges, learning from failures, and consistently pushing yourself to exceed your own expectations. Success isn’t a destination reached by chance; it’s a journey of hard work and resilience, where every setback becomes a stepping stone toward greater achievements.

Coming from Bermuda, a small island holding vastly different life stories, I was constantly seeking ways to push my own creative boundaries; I was and always am eager to learn and create more. I was inspired to pursue a design path by the prospect of joining a lively art-driven community. Regardless of geographic or cultural barriers, I value the ability to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and collaborate on impactful projects. Moving and immersing myself in the creative scene of Los Angeles, coupled with my love for music and new experiences, further fueled my passion for art and design. I thrive in the energy and innovation of the LA art scene, which motivates me to explore new avenues of artistic expression such as dance. I also have a deep commitment to helping others and preserving the environment, I want to be someone who continues CalArts trajectory of important cultural contributors, but one who also makes a difference in the world as an advocate for sustainable, accessible, and socially responsible design.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When it comes to showing my friends around Los Angeles, I like to keep it simple but memorable. We’d start by hitting up some local taco trucks, like the Papi Tacos & Churros truck in Santa Monica. Then, we’d explore Koreatown, enjoying some tasty authentic food, desserts, and drinks. The night would end with a round of karaoke at Gaam Karaoke.

For a taste of West Hollywood’s vibrant nightlife, we’d catch a screening of RuPaul’s Drag Race and dance the night away. On the weekend, we’d go to a fun drag brunch at Hamburger Mary’s WeHo and enjoy rooftop cocktails at Desert 5 Spot as well as catch a night movie at the Melrose Rooftop Theatre.

To mix things up, we’d head to the east side, particularly Silverlake and Highland Park for some thrifting and lunch at JOY, a Taiwanese restaurant. Then, we’d browse flea markets around the city, Silverlake, Los Feliz and Frogtown Flea being my personal favorites. Culver City would be next on our list for shopping and relaxing at the Culver Steps with boba from Latea which is conveniently located across the Culver Steps. Lastly, we’d explore hidden vintage shops like Magma Vintage in Chinatown for unique and iconic 2000s fashion finds.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are countless people I could thank for their support; however, I want to dedicate my shoutout to Margaret Giloth, President of Phenomenal People. Margaret has been a powerful mentor, leader, and inspiration for me; in many ways, she truly nurtured me into my professional graphic design career. In 2006, she founded Phenomenal People, a charity dedicated to supporting children and families. Then, in 2008, she created the Dream Girls Club, a mentorship program aimed at empowering girls ages nine to 18.

Phenomenal People, Living, Loving & Learning, is a Bermuda non-profit organization that provides educational seminars, workshops, and charitable events to unite, empower, and inspire people to become their personal best. The Dream Girls Club mentorship program, which Margaret initiated, focuses on helping young girls develop self-expression, confidence, and charitable hearts while discovering their unique gifts and talents. I joined the mentoring program at the age of 9, and later in my high school years, I had the privilege of assisting with mentoring younger participants, attending multiple fundraising events, and using my graphic design skills to support the charity’s promotional efforts. Margaret’s dedication to empowering emerging leaders and fostering their potential has deeply impacted my life and career trajectory.

In the words of Margaret Giloth herself, “To be empowering agents, we must do more than believe in emerging leaders and the possibilities for the people of Bermuda. We need to take steps to help them become the leaders they have the potential to be.” Margaret’s recognition of my contributions to the Dream Girls Club, culminating in the 2019 Natalie Millar Award, has been a source of immense pride and motivation for me. I am truly grateful for her guidance, support, and belief in my abilities from the beginning and now as I continue to grow and make a positive impact in the creative industry.

Website: https://mackenzierose.cargo.site/

Instagram: @_heyitsmekenz_

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mackenziecosta

Image Credits
Rafael Hernandez and Anastasia Chen