Life & Work with Carl Reed of Koreatown, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Reed

Hi Carl, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up on the west side of Chicago with my mother and younger sister. My mother , while feminine, had a bit of an undercover tomboy side. Thanks to her, I was introduced to both basketball and science fiction early on, with sci-fi continuing to be a major influence on my art. Originally, I wanted to be a comic book artist, inspired by the creators behind Image Comics like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, and Rob Liefeld. After high school, I went to art school, where I was introduced to even more creative methods and mediums. While I still loved creating characters, I began to realize they might be better suited for film and animation rather than just comics.
On my journey to explore film and animation, I discovered my passion for photography, which eventually became my main freelance work after college. For about five years, Xodustudios.com was a company focused on photography and design. This work led me to music videos, collaborating with Midwest hip hop artists like JL of Strange Music, and eventually directing my own projects. Music has always been central to my life, so helping artists visually express their ideas through film has been a dream. I moved to LA in 2016 to dive deeper into these industries, launching my clothing brand, Architects of Mars, where I blend my love for sci-fi and comics with fashion. My upcoming collection, Architects/Evolve, will tell the most cohesive story yet, integrating comic book art into the designs. I’ve also continued working with independent artists on various film projects.Throughout my journey, I’ve never wanted to be boxed into one creative path, so I continue exploring illustration, videography, and animation, always with music at the core of it all. Stay tuned!

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?
There has definitely been adversity on my journey. One of the main defining moments since I moved to L.A has been building myself back up from losing the first place I was living at here with no family and few friends. After that I knew I could get through anything. I can say the other thing I learned about myself living here is you can’t expect you from other people.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multimedia artist and the founder of Xodustudios, a creative company that focuses on film, photography, and design. Alongside Xodustudios, I also run Architects of Mars, my clothing brand that combines my love for fashion with sci-fi and high-art concepts. With over a decade of experience freelancing and working on personal projects, I’ve had the chance to explore many creative avenues. One of my favorite projects was actually my first music video, where I worked as an assistant director for JL of Strange Music’s “D.I.B.K.I.S.” I also produced a mini-documentary about the NOMA architecture and engineering camp for kids in Chicago, which was incredibly rewarding.

My upcoming collection, Architects/Evolve, is something I’m really excited about; it’s my most cohesive collection yet, where I use comic book-inspired designs to tell a deeper story about identity and evolution. This collection reflects my love for high-concept art and my drive to create pieces that resonate with those who want more than just fashion—they want a narrative.
I’m also the co-host of a podcast called Cultured Foolishness with my sister, Coach Tamara Simone, where we dive into issues impacting millennials and Gen Z. We talk about everything from life challenges to our favorite TV shows in the Power Universe, adding our own humorous take to each topic. This range—across fashion, multimedia, and real-world conversations—is what sets me apart. I’m proud of how I combine passion and purpose in all my work, whether it’s creating visual art or engaging in thoughtful discussions, always with a focus on inspiring others to chase their own dreams.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as the ability to create work that stays true to my passions while making an impact on others. For me, it’s about being able to blend my love for art, music, fashion, and storytelling across different mediums—whether it’s through film, photography, or my clothing brand, Architects of Mars. Success also means constantly evolving as an artist, embracing new technologies, and staying inspired by both the past and the future. Ultimately, if my work resonates with people, sparks thought, or inspires creativity, then I consider that a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Xodustudios.com, www.Architectsofmars.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xodustudios?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/architectsofmars/profilecard/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

Image Credits
The first four pictures are by Creed(Carl Reed) and the last one is by Ceondré Stubbs