Troy Barocio
Artist Statement
Growing up, I fell in love with storytelling. Whether through Family and friends, Video Games, and or watching too much television, I always gravitated to the idea that everyone has a story to tell. Each story is different in every way but always keen to leave a lasting impression; Inviting anyone to see the same world through another lens, drawing a bridge to others to connect, discuss, and most often share a feeling. It is that idea that makes me feel like stories are a necessity, and knowing that inspired me to create stories of my own. Starting with paper and pencil I often write or draw what I could imagine, leaving no boundaries for what I want to share with others, all with the same intent of connecting through what I make. It was not until later I learned the stories behind the people who made my favorite Games, Illustrations and Animations such as Jamie Hewlett, Genndy Tartakovsky, and Shinichirō watanabe, who share a deeper understanding of what makes a good story. Making me understand that people are what make stories come to life and we all have shared experiences but it's our personal experience that makes it unique, especially through creative mediums that can be a bridge to another world with a whole new perspective, all through expression and human connection. After High School, I wanted to keep creating and while looking for a sense of direction I was encouraged by my family to continue my education, which felt intimidating at first, but after finding out what I could learn about myself and others through design, I only wanted to know more. Understanding the impact of design could have in the real world, broadened my outlook on building connections through visual design as much as it did when I was a kid, knowing that design can tell a story too. I hope that what I create can contribute to a society that leaves others wanting to learn more about the world than what they already know, and in turn, can see within themselves and other people to be a better influence for a better world. It is always in my best interest to learn from experience and recognize that problems can only be solved if they are first understood.
