Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Marshall.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Oakcliff, Texas. I’ve always had an artistic ability. It seems to travel well through my family. I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler using sharpies, markers, pencils, and color pencils (I couldn’t be trusted with liquid-based paints at that age). It was like a Sunday tradition to go over my Great Grandmother’s house after church to eat and draw. My Great Grandmother’s artistic thing was natural scenery with flowers. I would try to draw her flowers but mine would come out drastically different. I didn’t understand at that time that my artistic thing was more abstract so I kept at it. I soon found myself drawing things by eye.
In grade school, people would ask me to draw pictures for them and I would even find teachers asking me to create drawings for school shirts or just to hang in the school’s hallways. I wasn’t one of those kids who had a dream of being a Doctor, Fireman, or any of the “preferred” occupations back then.
I was lost when it came to careers because I wanted to do something that involved creativity and wasn’t sure what that was. It wasn’t until I started working as a photographer at Medieval Times in Dallas, Texas where I started to learn about careers for creatives. I learned how to take pictures for commercial purposes, edit commercial level materials, and even a bit of using commercial grade printers. Essential things that I now use with my company.
I left the castle in September 2007 but continued my digital work. I eventually grew to the point to where I was creating digital art for canvas in an attempt to turn my artistic passion into a business. A Marshall Concepts LLC was officially established in January 2015. I wanted to initially sell my “3D mixed media layered art” but couldn’t quite figure out a cost-effective way of producing this type of art to sell so I decided to draft the ideas digitally. It worked out because I was still learning digital skills. I became trained to the point of where all of my paintings were drafted digitally before they were painted final creations. I went into local art competitions and won, started to show in art shows regularly, and was a featured RAW® “FUTURES” artist to be sponsored at Gas Monkey Live. I was moving progressively fast in my success as an artist. So fast that I didn’t stop to think about how I would make a living steady as an artist.
I quickly realized that to live this creative life, I needed to find a way to make my skills work for me. I started studying Graphic Design. I fell in love! Every day, I was either reading about the basic principles, practices, and rules of Graphic Design or learning new software in the Adobe Suite from YouTube video tutorials. I started combining my artistic side within the rules of effective Graphic Design and found myself designing digital business materials. I was making progress, profits, and following my passion.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh no! Definitely NOT! However, here is the irony of it all. Without theses bumps and struggles, you would not obtain the important knowledge needed to succeed. But to answer the second part of this question, I can honestly say one of the struggles starting off would be obtaining the financial backing. It’s difficult for a small startup to obtain thousands of dollars to secure solid equipment and space to create your products in order for you to see a flow of profit. You quickly learn why quality has a more premium price tag. Marketing is another issue in our modern-day world of social media I struggled with. Learning hashtags, staying up on trends, making attention-grabbing content, responding to inquiries, etc. will be one of your biggest struggles and finding what works for you is something you have to either hire someone else to do for you or take time to figure out for yourself because what works for another may not work for you.
Please tell us about AMCPTS GFX.
AMCPTS GFX (A Marshall Concepts LLC Graphics Division) is an online freelance Graphic Design company that caters to the little guys or better known as “start-ups” or “small businesses.” We provide premium graphic design services at prices that are more obtainable for the one owner companies that want to look like they have a profitable operation. We are known for offering solutions to visually sell your company to gain client’s trust from the first visual impression that will lead to more successful sales. We specialize in creating high quality, effective, cost-effective digital and physical branding materials.
We are most proud of our clients! We take pride in being able to say that everything in our portfolio exists as a real product for a real client.
What sets us apart from others is the fact that our work isn’t profit-driven. We don’t just take money, make something, and send you on your way. Not at all. We educate our clients on what they are getting, why a particular design isn’t suitable for the growth of the business and how and why your logo should be simplistic and minimal in color count.
I have a saying for my company that I believe every one of my clients and partners can strongly agree with. I always say “Your success is my success.” I want my clients and partners to succeed because it is essential for me to grow as a business and continue to thrive! I take this to heart and treat EVERY customer’s business with the same level of integrity, pride, dignity, and respect as my own.
I am quick to remind anyone who negatively questions my company that my name, brand, and reputation is on EVERY design I do and I will always suggest, provide, or offer only what I feel to be the best representation and reflection of what I would do, want, or have myself.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Without a learning history, one cannot truly value the taste of achieving one’s own personal success.
Pricing:
- Logo Pricing $45-$180
- Social Media Flyers $30-$45
- Product Stickers $13 per sheet (number will vary depending on sizes)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amcpts.com
- Email: contact@amcpts.com
- Instagram: Instagram: www.instagram.com/am_concepts/
4″x6″ Post Card Template
Image Credit:
Jabari Johnson Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
