local storiesJanuary 2, 2023

Check Out Tahiti Spears’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tahiti Spears.

Hi Tahiti, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

So everyone always asks how did I get my start. I basically got my foot off the grown due to my parents seeing my talents and nurturing them. I was raised on the idea that whatever naturally comes to you, you must figure out how to bottle it and sell it. When I realized my talents, I started to place myself in different environments to test the waters.

I started off freelancing at the beginning of college at 20 and then I realized when I was in school, I needed a little bit more education. From there I went to get my MA at Columbia. Got my first real design job at a printing press company, and later on work as a junior editorial designer for Modern Luxury Chicago and Hawaii magazine.

Then I pushed myself to go in a new direction because I knew I had way more skills that needed to be used so I shifted and started working in a more corporate environment ( American Bar Association) as a senior designer for lawyers and attorneys, but then early 2022 I took a leap of faith. There were opportunities I couldn’t reach juggling multiple jobs and I was ready to turn on 3.0 of myself. Mind you 0514 Design has always been around since I started designing when I was 20. All these jobs and their infrastructure helped me build a process and system of my own.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Smooth road no, was it a little bit of gravel, was it a little shaky yes. For me growing up in this so-called creative space was hard because I couldn’t identify with anyone because I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. There weren’t any examples of great known female designers in my textbooks nor were there any black designers and I knew that was a lie. I didn’t see myself but I knew I had the capabilities to be whatever so no one was going to write my story. As far as corporate work it was tough at times due to always being the only person of color working in predominantly white settings you come across a ton of micro-aggression and heavy observation. Co-workers of the opposite race would make the same mistake and just get a slap on the wrist but I would feel like a person on probation if I made the smallest mistake. We all know the story or have been there but I prevailed with confidence.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a graphic designer, art director, creative director, and creative therapist. I like to think my superpower is turning verbals into visuals. My company is a studio wheelhouse of brand identity, logo development, name convention, brand strategy, web development, social media directing, and whatever creative thing I can get my hands on. My specialty is specifically brand identity. I love turning a blank canvas into my client’s wildest dreams.

I am most proud of myself and the clientele I have gained due to word of mouth. The work speaks for itself and people come to the company because they know it’s going to be good, they will be taken care of whether that’s through the process, communication, or the deliverables, and lastly, I make sure to be there when you need me.

Notable clients that I am proud of are the NAACP image awards for three years running, getting a Walmart deal for black history month this year, Kindred platform for black parents, working with Sherry Lee Ralph for her annual televise music special, doing book interiors for black authors and culture, live production for award shows, conferences, summits, and designing experiences for restaurants and retail space.

What sets me apart is that I sincerely see my client’s dreams bigger for them and hope they realize that all the way through.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?

Luck has been on my side but bad things may happen. We have to surpass them and if anyone is getting business off the likeness of their personality or their talent that’s nothing but a blessing. In closing we just use the word luck as a disguise for it is really destiny well designed.

Contact Info:

Website: www.0514.design
Instagram: tahitian_treat + @0514Design

Image Credits
Ajibade Fashola

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