Today we’d like to introduce you to Braeden Raymer.
Hi Braeden, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember–making up stories and illustrating them were my favorite things to do. At that time, there was no pressure to be “good,” I was just doing it because it made me happy. I eventually pursued a degree in fine arts, but I wasn’t making the type of work I wanted to be making. In graduate school, I discovered that the field of illustration was more aligned with the types of things I wanted to be creating and the stories I wanted to be telling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building my professional portfolio has been a process of finding connections, and so finding new work is not always consistent. I don’t do as much self-promotion as I should, so the work I receive comes from connections I’ve made. I have many people to thank for connecting me with others who have led me to where I am now and to where that may continue to lead me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My professional career to date has been a variety of different projects, from clothing & merchandise graphics to logos, to book covers. I have illustrated for the Seattle Seahawks, the Indiana State Fair, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, among others.
With United States of Indiana, I have illustrated dozens of Indiana-themed t-shirt designs. I grew up in Indiana, so I aim to create graphics that are immediately recognizable or relatable to Indiana natives.
Recently, I had the privilege of a personal illustration being accepted into the Society of Illustrators’ annual publication and exhibition in New York City, a high honor in the field of illustration. This was a long-term goal I had set for myself, but I never expected to achieve it so soon. Seeing my work hanging in the exhibition alongside some of the best illustrators in the field was an incredibly proud moment for me. It’s encouraged me to push myself to improve.
Any big plans?
I aim to make illustration a full-time job, and I hope to eventually find a niche in the variety of projects I’ve worked on. I like to keep myself open to new opportunities, new styles, new techniques, etc., and I imagine that will eventually lead me to my own voice in the space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.braedenraymer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braedenraymer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braeden-raymer/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BraedenRaymer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@braedenraymer
