Meet Jose Soberanes of Burbank, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Soberanes

Hi Jose, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Moreno Valley, moving frequently and facing financial hardship. My family once lived in a trailer in the mountains of Hemet, where I slept on the floor and hunted rabbits with a pellet gun for food. My mother, who raised us on her own, instilled in me a relentless work ethic that shaped my approach to life and creativity. Despite our circumstances, I excelled academically, but it wasn’t until a pivotal moment in my teenage years that I became deeply committed to music. My first album, 5HTP, was a local success, and it was then that I realized the power of creating something that resonated with an audience.

In 2019, I co-created The Suffocation of Idols, an experimental ballet that merged classical ballet with hip-hop, projection mapping, LED lighting, and performance art. Without the support of traditional marketing or an online presence, we relied entirely on guerrilla tactics—graffiti, posters, and public performance art—to generate buzz. The project was a resounding success and reinforced my belief that if I wanted something to happen, I had to take action and build it myself.

The turning point in my career came when I worked as an exhibition designer at the Walt Disney Family Museum. There, I truly understood that I could make a living by creating. That realization propelled me to roles at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Adidas, and now Pacific Park. I oversee large-scale creative projects that blend storytelling with design, music, and immersive experiences.

Much of my work is influenced by my background—Catholicism, the desert, and a hands-on, DIY approach. Whether hand-sewing the first line of Soberseason with a $100 sewing machine and recycled fabric or performing music with a single speaker split between multiple inputs, I have always embraced resourcefulness, adaptability, and an uncompromising drive to bring ideas to life. I am not afraid of hard work and remain committed to pushing creative boundaries while building meaningful, lasting experiences.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been anything but smooth, but I think the challenges have shaped me just as much as my successes. Growing up, financial hardship was a constant reality. We moved frequently, often living in small rented rooms or office spaces, and my mother worked tirelessly to provide for us. Those experiences taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of forging my own path.

Beyond financial struggles, the creative industry is difficult to navigate. I didn’t have traditional access to funding, industry connections, or major platforms to showcase my work early on. Everything I built was through a DIY approach—hand-sewing my first clothing line, marketing my ballet through guerrilla tactics, and finding ways to make projects happen without the typical resources. There were many moments of doubt where it felt like the door would never open.

Mentally and emotionally, the pressure to constantly create and prove myself has been challenging. There have been setbacks, rejections, and moments of uncertainty, but I’ve learned that persistence is everything. I believe that if you want something, you have to build it yourself, and that mindset has carried me through every obstacle. Today, I’m grateful for those struggles because they have shaped the way I approach my work—with grit, adaptability, and a relentless drive to push forward.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work spans multiple disciplines, but at its core, I specialize in creative direction, digital media, and experiential design. As the Digital & Creative Manager at Pacific Park, I oversee everything from in-park signage and restaurant branding to large-scale experiential projects, such as developing a new Funhouse and introducing new attractions. Previously, I’ve worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Adidas, and various other brands, contributing to projects that blend storytelling with immersive design, branding, and digital innovation.

I’m most proud of the projects that push creative boundaries and leave a lasting impact. 2019, I co-created The Suffocation of Idols, an experimental ballet that merged classical and contemporary art forms. It was entirely marketed through guerrilla tactics—graffiti, posters, and performance art—proving that a strong creative vision can thrive outside traditional marketing structures. At Pacific Park, my Goodbye, Sea Dragon campaign in 2023 gained widespread media recognition from outlets like the LA Times and KTLA, demonstrating my ability to craft narratives that resonate with a broad audience.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend resourcefulness with high-level creative execution. I come from a background where nothing was handed to me. I approach every project with a mix of strategy, hands-on execution, and storytelling, ensuring that the work isn’t just visually compelling but deeply resonant.

Ultimately, I see my work as more than just creative projects—it’s about crafting experiences that connect with people in unexpected ways and challenge conventional narratives.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Success is never a solo endeavor, and I’ve been fortunate to have people in my life who have shaped, supported, and challenged me along the way.

Maryclare Brzytwa was an invaluable mentor during my years at SFCM. She guided me not only in my creative development but also on an emotional level. She helped me navigate the pressures of being an artist, giving me the confidence to trust my instincts. Mike Morasky was another key influence. His reassurance during moments of doubt and his emphasis on professionalism and attitude left a lasting impact on how I approach my work.

Moya Gotham pushed me to become the most relentless version of myself creatively. Our collaborations, especially The Suffocation of Idols, proved to me how far ambition and fearlessness can take a project.

My relationships have also played a major role in my growth on a personal level. Daisy Sanchez, my ex-girlfriend, sacrificed a lot for me, and I’ll always be grateful for her support during crucial moments in my career.

At Pacific Park, my boss, Nathan Smithson, has given me the trust and autonomy to work with my intuition, which has allowed me to take creative risks and push ideas further. And above all, my mother has been the foundation of my resilience. She instilled in me the confidence to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Each of these people has, in their own way, shaped who I am today—both as a creative and as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://soberseas.net
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/soberseas
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-soberanes-290804132/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/soberseas

Image Credits
Mr Nice Fy image by Bubba Guiterrez
Flower image by Thúy Lan Bercher