Today we’d like to introduce you to Shideh Ghandeharizadeh.
Hi Shideh, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in L.A — specifically Culver City. Luckily my public schools valued arts education and I realized very early on my passion for art. It wasn’t until the end of high school that I realized I could turn my passion into a career. I graduated from USC’s animation program in May 2021 and have been freelancing since. I still live in L.A. and freelance from my DTLA apartment.
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’s been rough breaking in and establishing myself. Graduating in the pandemic definitely did not help. I would characterize myself as awkward online and social in person so that hampered a lot of my networking opportunities. Even now I rely a lot more on cold emails than in-person events due to my industries going remote. And so many of my cold emails are met with silence — it can be very disheartening.
But in some ways, my industries going remote has given me a lot more opportunities. I got to intern with the fine folks at Dash in Raleigh, NC. And I’ve gotten to illustrate for a lot of East Coast projects that used to be only open to in-person illustrators.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a freelance illustrator who specializes in editorial illustration, motion design, and color design. My personal style is graphic, colorful, and unabashedly girly. Like most motion designers I’m a jack of all trades and can switch up my style when a project calls for it but my personal style and perspective always manage to shine through.
I’m also a comic and zine maker, although very little of that work is online. It was my first love before entering college and it still is. I love vending at zine fests and sharing my work there.
Above all, I value appeal in my work. And while that may seem like a simple goal it’s one I take very seriously in my art.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be persistent. For the nearly two years I’ve been out of college I’ve faced a lot of rejection. Multiple times I’ve thought about quitting. But I love my work and love what I do. I would not have experienced the small successes I have if I did quit. My career and my art is very much in progress – and that’s okay! I’m learning to be okay with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: shadeyart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadey.art/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shadeyart
Image Credits
Photo by Norman Peng
