Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerico Angeles.
Hi Jerico, 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 guess I’ve always considered myself creative (i.e., drawing, building, crafting, etc.), but I really leaned into the design. There’s something about creating a solution for a human problem that resonated with me. I built my career around the principles of ‘good design’—and found myself pretty technical for a ‘creative’ guy. This allowed me to nurture my love for all sorts of creative and technical disciplines. It also helps that I come from a family of really talented people. My late father was a musician, artist, and architect so he set the bar pretty high.
I designed eyewear and apparel early in my career, then transitioned to all things digital. But I always kept coming back to physical products. I love creating something tangible that people can hold in their hands or experience IRL. I also love the process and craftsmanship of handmade products. Mainly, the focus it takes to painstakingly craft something for days—mistakes are BRUTAL—But have taught me to accept and improvise.
Currently, I’m fortunate to be freelancing and growing my own studio along with handcrafting eyewear with some humble tools to keep me sharp. I also consider making eyewear by hand very meditative. The hours of meticulous labor keep me in my body and present in the moment—a much-needed safe haven from my digital life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a mixed bag for sure, but I’ve been really fortunate to benefit from working in the tech industry. I’m a multidisciplinary designer, so I’ve built a strong skill set that has served me well as I navigated industries through the years. Early in my career, I didn’t feel secure in my future so I doubled down on learning as much as I could and doing as much as I can. It was a mix of insecurity and a nagging competitiveness that I innately had that kept me going.
I can definitely ‘feel’ the mileage now, but it also comes with experience and confidence in what I do. It feels great to take a breath and focus on what’s happening in the present and not get too stressed about the past and future. I feel it took way too long for me to begin doing that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I recently started my own design studio—it’s in its infancy right now so a ton of planning and behind-the-scenes work has been going on. I’ve built a reputation of building products and teams so I felt the pull of starting my own thing for years. I want it to be an incubator for all creative endeavors. Whether building products for myself or startups, to nurturing my creative side with anything I want to put out in the world—I want nothing off the table.
Along with my studio, I built an eyewear brand called Supperclub Eyewear that has been my passion project for years. I’m now looking to refresh the brand since my style and taste has evolved as I got older. I want my brands to have the freedom to do the same. At the end of the day, I want what I put out in the world to be genuinely me.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
A lesson that I just recently accepted and am currently working on is trusting my gut and not letting others sway me when doing something for myself. My entire career has been spent solving problems and designing for others that I lost touch of what drives me creatively—it was a scary realization at this point in my life. So I’ve prioritized ME for once.
It’s refreshing for me to pursue what I’m feeling in the moment versus striving to do something to satisfy a business metric or arbitrary definition of success. At this stage in my career, I ask myself a simple question before I start anything: “Does this make me happy?”
I think it’s crucial for us to ask ourselves that these days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jericoangeles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jericoangeles
- Other: https://www.supperclubeyewear.com/
