Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Larson.
Hi Candace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I feel like my ‘story’ started when I was really young, in an average Elementary school art class. I have a really distinct memory of this particular drawing I did that my parents loved and bought into one of those packages where you could put the art on magnets, stickers, a framed printout, etc. That particular print was a simple jungle scene, which you could look back on and see where my love of animals began. I had those typical dreams as a kid, wanting to be a veterinarian when I grew up, until I learned that you had to see blood and put animals down. Throughout all of grade school, art class was always my favorite. In high school, I took advanced art classes, ceramics, and anything I could to create. This was where I first came across graphic design. Who knew a random school in Orlando, FL would have such an offering! This class began to shape the vision of my career – the combination of art and technology – where I could create and stay in the flow of society and where things were headed. I submitted a fine arts portfolio for the graphic design program at Chapman University and got in. The program at Chapman trained us with a fine arts lens, which I really enjoyed. I often start with pen and paper before jumping onto the computer for design projects. After I graduated with my BFA in Graphic Design, I fell into a number of design jobs across many different industries – chip technology, women’s swimwear, women’s and men’s fashion/clothing, and our food supply chain. Throughout those years, I carried a freelance practice on the side. My brain needed the stimulation, and it allowed me to practice other design skills beyond what I was doing in my full-time work. As someone who loves community, I also started a Joggers Club on the side here in Ventura and ran that for about 5 years. My interests have really dialed in lately, and my passion for animals and our planet has resurfaced tenfold from when I was a kid. I was recently laid off due to the company filing for bankruptcy, and I feel now more than ever it’s time to push myself and my freelance practice into a full business. After working across several industries, it has become apparent to me that there are important brands and organizations that need elevated design to communicate their larger purpose. That’s what’s next for me, Caretta Caretta, and I am really excited.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I feel lucky to be the one taking this path. I have often felt like I’m always trying to learn something new and figure out the next step for myself, which hasn’t left much time for me to stop and rest. I think that comes with the nature of my curious and ambitious personality. One of my all-time biggest struggles has been finding confidence in myself. I am surrounded by so many talented people, and too often I compare where I am at, or my work, to someone else’s, even when my logical brain tells me that’s not what matters. I’ve started to overcome this, but it has taken a lot of effort and personal discovery, and I still have a ways to go. Lately, I’ve been finding my confidence in looking back at recent design projects for my business website.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a graphic designer, art director, film photographer, community leader, and creative being. When I say I am an artist, I get a feeling of imposter syndrome, but truly, I am first an artist, and the others follow. I specialize in visual storytelling through design and creative assets. This includes branding and identity (logos, color palettes, typography), website builds, and facilitating creative production (photo and video). I like to help people clarify their story, their product, and their purpose, and show that visually to make them stand out above the rest. I am most proud of my commitment to working with brands and organizations that have a future-first mindset when it comes to business. For me, this includes environmental organizations, businesses that are propagating native plants, therapists helping people heal, etc. I set myself apart from others with my patience, communication skills, and my process of starting with a story before jumping into trends. You can find my work and services on my website!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Up until 6th grade, I lived in Greenville, North Carolina. We lived in a simple neighborhood and our house had a nice, big backyard that came up to a creek. A number of my favorite childhood memories involve that town, that house, and playing in the neighborhood with friends. Whenever our dog would run out the front door, we had a box of treats I am sure all the neighbors could hear us shaking to get her to come home. There were a few kids who would come over, play in the creek, and find frogs. My best friend and I would sneak into other neighbors backyards and suck on the honeysuckle flowers that bloomed. My brothers and their friends would play flashlight tag, and being quite a bit younger, sometimes I got to play too. Those memories feel like core childhood and remind me how important it is to play and cherish the little things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carettacaretta.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carettacaretta.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candacemlarson/
