S2 06: From Printmaking to Creative Direction with Colombian Illustrator Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

Draws in Spanish | Conversations with Latinx Visual Artists and Designers

In this episode, I chat with Colombian Creative Director and Illustrator Daniela Jordan-Villaveces. Daniela is a US and Colombian Dual Citizen who was raised in Colombia up until high school before moving to Naples, FL. Her work injects joy and happiness through her use of punchy bold colors and vivid patterns. Keep on listening to hear us chat about Daniela’s international upbringing, why she majored in Printmaking at OCAD, and how she became a Creative Director.

EPISODE LINKS

- Watch this Episode on Youtube (Premiering at 5pm ET)

- Support [Draws in Spanish] on Patreon

- Host: Follow Fabiola on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

- Guest: Follow Daniela on Instagram and view her website

TOPICS COVERED:

• Dealing with Perfectionism and Social Media
• Her experience being born and raised in Bogota, Colombia
• How she identifies as Colombian despite being a dual citizen
• Identifying more with her Colombian identity
• What it means to be from Bogota
• How many differences there are in cultures across Latin America
• Why she chose to move to Naples, Florida in High School
• Attending Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD) for Art School in Toronto, Canada
• Moving to New York City with only $1,100 after graduating
• How she viewed the US as the entertainment capital of the world as a child
• How isolated the US is from foreign cultures
• Pursuing a BFA in printmaking despite wanting to pursue illustration
• How she became the Creative Director of Ban.do
• Her journey from apparel design to product design management and ultimately to Creative Director
• How she worked with clients like HBO, Target, ban.do, Allbirds, Chobani, Samsung, Chunks, Vox, Google, Eater
• Working with All Birds
• Working with Target for their Más Que A Month Collaboration for Latinx Heritage Month
• The intricacies of Spanglish within the Latinx community
• Why it’s uncool when brands co-op spanglish for Latinx Heritage Month
• Why the question “What does being Latina mean to you?” drives us crazy
• Why it’s important to play to your creative strengths with your clients
• The technical tools she uses to create patterns
• Working with a Wacom and iPad for her digital work
• Her Advice for those interested in getting into surface pattern design
• Her Favorite Colombian term, food, and cultural significance