Meet Meghan Gochin: Graphic Designer/NFT Artist/Creative Mind

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

Hi Meghan, why did you pursue a creative career?
At the risk of sounding cliche, I never sat down and made a decision like “You know what?! I’m going to be a creative.” I didn’t choose my career as an artist or designer, It was just what I have always been good at and enjoyed doing. I got my first job as a designer when I was still in high school. Which isn’t impressive in the age of the Youtube and knowledge we’re currently in but 14 years ago teaching yourself to use Adobe Photoshop at 10 was impressive. So yeah to answer the question in short; I pursued this career because I enjoy it and am good at it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
COVID. That happened, and to be honest it has been the single most productive and exciting learning experiences I’ve been through. I know it hasn’t been easy for a lot of people so I hate saying this but I can say if anything, COVID has taught us all NOT to rely on a 9-5 job! Before the pandemic, I wanted to find a way to not have to go into the office everyday, and the universe was like “Challenge Accepted”. In a matter of a week I went from wasting 8 hours a day in an office to staying home and expanding my knowledge and creating new revenue streams in my spare time. However, It really wasn’t until 6 months ago I got deeper into the crypto space and learned about NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. Total game changer!

NFT’s are going to be the future of art, music, photo, video and so much more. If I had a few days I could elaborate but I’d rather use this time to explain what this means for me as an artist. The answer simply is, I get to create art for art sake and when sold, I make money on that art in perpetuity. Meaning each time its resold, I know about it and make a percentage of that sale. As a creative, this is huge! In the past, when you make logos, branding, packaging, websites, etc for those who hire you, you only get paid for that art once. While the client carries on to make an unforeseen amount of money using your art and branding (which is totally fair yes because that’s what a designer does) but the possibility of making money off your art each time it is sold is the ideal concept for artists and it allows us to know where our art.

Getting into the NFT space was not easy and I am still learning on a daily basis. Being in such a new space at the beginning though is both exciting and inspirational. I recently got back into drawing and creating for myself! My first project is a series of Pokemon inspired rapper collectible cards. I created this project to merge two of my personal passions in hopes others would appreciate it. Last week I dropped my first set of physical stickers of the art and they sold on the first week! It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so happy to have found a way to create and work for me, myself, and you (the collector). 😉

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So we’re in Los Angeles, and you want to do something fun for the day? Is COVID a thing in this scenario? Or is this pre-COVID where we would go to the NOVO and see an amazing show and touch and sweat on other people? Cause ya, I’d do that. If not though Venice is always my favorite place to go with people from out of town. I’m a people watcher and I love to go and just watch everyone like I’m at The Aquarium of LA culture. You see body builders pumping iron like their about to bust a tendon, street performers drawing huge crowds for 10 mins just to do a backflip over a 10 year old, skate boarders and rollerbladers dropping in on the half pipe. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a street artist creating something on the concrete walls by the water. The fun truly never ends and is a MUST see cliche stop on our LA tour. When it comes to food I have an unpopular opinion. As an east coast girl at heart I can’t say Los Angeles is known for their food (unless you came for the tacos or over priced restaurants) but when a friend or family is in town I always take them to at least one restaurant. Castaway in Burbank. Their steak with the signature four sauces and truffle fries are amazing! But it’s really about the view. Castaway is on a huge hill that looks down on Burbank and it is just gorgeous – day or night. Everyone is always super impressed and leaves happy so if you’re ever in LA and want to look cool. Take your party to Castaway.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Reflecting on my career thus far my shoutout would have to go to my past clients who have let me really run with projects. Having open-ended project descriptions really allows an artist to create something great! Not just something that your cousin sketched out and now I need to find a way to make it look acceptable enough to go on your website, but really think outside of the box.

Also, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my father who taught me to use the pen tool in Photoshop. The single most under-rated tool that most people still don’t understand the power being able to make a nice curve. If you’re a designer or photographer or even an artist reading this and you’re like “What is she talking about, that doesn’t seem correct….?” Then please contact me at your earliest convenience, @meghanpsd, thanks 🙂

Website: https://linktr.ee/meghanpsd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghan.psd/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-gochin-95157132/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeghanPsd

Other: https://opensea.io/accounts/meghanpsd

Image Credits
meghan gochin (meghanpsd)