Meet Jazz Smith of Altadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazz Smith.

Hi Jazz, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Jazz!

I was born in the Philippines to a U.S. soldier and raised by a single mom after my dad passed, with big-sister support all the way. I spent most of my childhood in the U.S., with summers in my mom’s home province of Negros Oriental, Philippines, and a brief period attending school there during my tween years. I finished high school in Tolleson, Arizona, earned my degree in Visual Communication from Northern Arizona University, and soon after began applying to internships across the country from my sister’s living room in Nevada.

At the time, I was bumming it at my sister’s house, determined to be out of it in a month. I hadn’t gotten my driver’s license yet, had a buck or two saved, and all the bravery in the world. Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, really any city that popped up in a Google search for “graphic design internship” was fair game. I find it tends to be that way when you have nothing to lose. I got a response from a marketing agency in Hollywood for a design internship. With my brother, we drove to California for the interview and I got the role. There’s a lot of truncating happening here, but trust me, it was a swift and exhilarating journey for a kid like me.

Very quickly, I found myself hunting for a place to live. At the time, I had no real familiarity with Los Angeles County. All I knew was where the office was and what I could afford. The office was across the street from the TCL Theater, nestled among places and people I’d never imagined being near. At first, I was absolutely mesmerized by the Hollywood stars on the sidewalk, the showmen on the road, the crowded streets — it was all so unlike anything I had ever experienced. Growing up in a small Arizona town, or in a Filipino province for that matter, had its own rhythm. Adding Hollywood Boulevard was something I truly couldn’t fathom until I stood there for the first time.

My first apartment in L.A. was a shared space with two people a little older than me, in South L.A. I met them through a Facebook friend, and a week before my internship kicked off, I moved into this apartment near Crenshaw and Hyde Park, right across the street from a Tumby’s Pizza. At this point, I was on my own as my brother and sister were elsewhere, and I didn’t know anyone in L.A., aside from reconnecting with a sweet friend from middle school (small world!). I still didn’t have a car, so I did what I assumed most people in a big city do: I took the bus. I’d wake up at 6 a.m., be ready by 6:45, wave to my neighbor Kevin and his dog Larry by 6:50, and wait for my 7:10 a.m. bus. I took the 210 to Hollywood/Vine every single day for six months.

It wasn’t until I landed my first “big girl job” at a marketing agency in El Segundo that I was able to save more. I still took the Metro to work from South L.A. until I had enough to pay for driving classes and eventually bought my first car. Being in your early 20s and diving into the world of agency marketing was something I was wildly unprepared for and I paid for it emotionally while trying to find my footing in this city. When my bigger paycheck kicked in, I moved to Torrance, which felt like a long-earned and deeply satisfying milestone. Back then, I’d say my bravery was a force. I also felt like a toddler trying to get up and run, knocking things over and making joyful, sometimes reckless, chaos while navigating early adulthood in L.A. County.

I kept working, made mistakes, learned from some, regretted others, and still managed to pull myself up from rung to rung on this wobbly creative ladder. From one agency to the next, I dove headfirst into each new environment, determined to become a creative in every sense of the word. My growth felt exponential, sometimes uncontainable but the fear of losing it all kept me going. I went on to do design in all kinds of capacities for all kinds of companies and brands, working with some of the most inspiring design leaders. Nowadays, I’m freelance art director and illustrator.

In late 2020/early 2021, I moved to Altadena with my boyfriend and immediately fell in love with the mountain town. We had the best landlord, a beautiful house, and the most welcoming community. For me, it finally felt like home. I kept designing remotely, picked up painting again, and eventually we saved up enough to buy our own fixer-upper just five minutes away. Earlier this year, we lost that home to the Eaton Fire, along with everything inside it. It felt like part two of my L.A. story. First I had to learn how to navigate the Metro; now learning how to rebuild after losing everything I’ve worked for. But through all of it, I’ve found a renewed love for Los Angeles and its people.

From South L.A. to Torrance, to Mid-City, then Echo Park for a short COVID-era stint, and finally to Altadena — I’d like to think I’ve earned my Angeleno badge.

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?
Phew, anything but smooth!

My biggest struggle was dealing with myself. Moving to a big city in your early 20s, fresh out of college and with little support, comes with a lot of highs and lows. In my darkest moments, I doubted whether I could keep my head above water here. I had to remind myself to stay brave, to keep my wits about me, but also that the hard times were fleeting, and I deserved space to grow through them.

In the workplace, I had to constantly remind myself that I earned my seat through my own hard work. Outside of work, it was as practical as double-checking my monthly budget and hoping everything held together. My mom had moved back to the Philippines, and my siblings, though supportive, were living their own lives far away. Feeling like my lifelines were out of reach made everything that much harder.

I’ve braved a couple of layoffs at this point. My current struggles? Still facing employment uncertainty and recovering from the loss of my home (and the first car I bought!) to the Eaton fire.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an art director, illustrator, and designer! Although I’d say I’m known for my undeniable wit…yikes

As a designer, I’ve worked with many platforms, creating anything from brand guidelines to product packaging. Very multidisciplinary!

Looking at my body of work now, I’m probably best known for my funky illustration style and I think that’s what sets me apart most. I have a strong foundation in design principles, but my love for trends, culture, and bold color has led to playful, vibrant interpretations of people and everyday things in my art and design work.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The diversity and community of our city is undeniably what I like best about our city.

I know I’m not alone in this, but traffic. Traffic in LA is atrocious on all fronts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jazzlinsmith.com/illustrations