Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Madrid
Hi Candice, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have had a love of art and design since I was a young girl. I grew up in West Texas outside of Lubbock and in that area we didn’t have much for the arts around that time. I was always very curious about how magazines, billboards, and commercials were created. When I was 16 I went on a family trip to Taos, NM and I will never forget how I felt standing in the art galleries and how the art people created to celebrate their heritage made me feel. At that moment I knew I wanted to create. I wanted to created art and design that made people feel something. I will never forget living in west Texas telling my family and friends I wanted to be a graphic designer and then replying “what is that?” I had a very bumpy journey during the process to earn my art degree. Due to life, moving, marriage, and so many other things after 10 years of pushing through 3 Jr colleges later and some amazing professors in my corner I graduated from Valdosta State University in GA in 2012 with my Bachelors in Fine Arts and a beautiful little girl. 2012 was a hard year for me I lost my grandparents (who raised me) and went through a divorce. At this moment I had the degree and a little girl I had to take care of. At the age of 28 I moved to Minneapolis, MN and by the grace of God started my design career. I was given an internship for an editorial company and learned so much, I will always be grateful to the staff at RedLine Editorial in MN. After the internship ended it was a little difficult to find a full time job so I moved to the DFW area where I had more family support and in 2014 I was offered a job at Cowboy Publishing in Fort Worth, Tx. I was with that company for almost 6 years and Loved every minute of it. In 2019 the book I was Art Director for closed their doors and this took me on a new journey of teaching design, freelancing and contract work for marketing entrepreneurs, and business owners. Now at the age of 40 looking back at my career I have designed for over 100+ brands and thought it is time to build my own. In March of this year I relaunched (opened it in 2020 but that is another story) my company CDM Creative LLC.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, life. I had to truly find my own way wanting to be a graphic designer that graduated from Seagraves, TX and at the time the HS did not have an art program but the school counselor got me in to art college programs to help me with credits this was in 2001-2002. I was not able to get financial aid because some family issues so college was hard for me at this time I took a few classes here and there from the age of 18-21. Married at 21 had a daughter at 25, worked on my degree as I was pregnant and during being a new mom. Living in GA no where near family (we were stationed at Moody AFB). I fought to make sure I earned my BFA so I could live my dream of being a designer.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a designer & photographer since 2008.
I am known for my graphic design, photography, and ability to take on multiple projects.
Brand Design & Development is my passion I absolutely love helping & creating for a companies to help their visions come to life. To be a part of the excitement of putting their brands on apparel, packing, social media content it is such an amazing feeling and honor to be a part of.
How do you define success?
To me success is defined in how you feel are the things you do bring you passion and joy? If so then that is success!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cdm-creative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdm_creative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madebycdmcreative
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cdmcreative
