Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Matthews.
Hi Kayla, 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 started my interest in design when I was growing up in South Carolina. My mother insisted I had to have a hobby that wasn’t staring at a computer, and I always enjoyed creating, painting, etc so I just kinda fell into it from there. Next thing I knew, I was forced to move to Michigan where my high school art teacher suggested a degree in design, and I was like ‘WOAH I didn’t know you could make money doing that!?!”. Now, I get to work as an Art Direction Intern while achieving my degree as an Advertising Design major at the College for Creative Studies. My career has just began but I have also been lucky enough to receive local and global recognition for my work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It really depends what road we are talking about because I had an obstacle throughout school with dyslexia, but it has now made me a more concise and a better communicator. There was also the lockdown that happened that had a major economic effect on everyone, and for a bit there I thought I was going to have to drop out, but it just made me more grateful for what I have. I worked three jobs at a time for a couple years there, and there were so many lessons within that, and it has really taught me that working hard does pay off. Overall, I worked my ass off, and it shows in my portfolio and in my life.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do a little bit of everything… I mostly work in the realm of advertising, so I get to do commercial shoots, print ads, billboards, and animated case studies. I have even done some work with 3D modeling, sound design, and UI/UX. I get to experiment a lot which is defiantly the fun part, but my identifying factor is I am not one to shy away from doing the extreme. I love advertising that is sneaky with dirty or dark humor or personifying a brand in a humorous way. The thing that sets me apart for others is that not only do I have solid ideas but I produce them with the goal of “if this was on TV right now, people wouldn’t question a student made this.” I want it to be outrageous, obnoxious, stunning and cause a reaction.
I am really proud, and I love to brag about the fact that my team (Kiki Farrar and Owen Drawbaugh) and I have recently won a Merit for a commercial in the global competition, Young Ones. This commercial was made for a brief for PETA, and I won’t say too much, but… PETA has actually reached out to us about our 30sec TV spot.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Here’s the thing people don’t get: You do not need the best of the best to make the best. The only thing you actually NEED is to dedicate time to trying things out. You can make a great quality film with the mic and camera on your phone- as long as you and the people you’re doing with it are having fun, I can guarantee it will be something you can be proud of. You have a powerhouse of technology in the palm of your hand, and don’t waste your great ideas by writing them down and saying, “Oh I’ll do that someday.” You can photograph, design, and construct your own fashion magazine with a couple of friends, your phone, the retouch app, and Canva.
I wish I dedicated more time to experimenting in High School- no one had anything important to do, and we all hung out every day anyway… I couldn’t tell you why we didn’t pick up the camera and make something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tubduck.com
- Instagram: tubduckproductions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylapowmatt
