Juan Sarmiento
Artist Statement
I remember 1st grade, having to draw and cut out paper stars for the super star student being rewarded with a crown on top of their head. Although, I didn’t know why the teacher wasn’t able to do it themselves, and why the other students got to watch a movie. I didn’t mind at all with this task, I believed if I could make stars, what is there to stop me from creating even more. The delight that adorned my teachers' faces when I surprised them with hand-drawn portraits, crafted carefully on college-ruled paper, fueled my desire to continue exploring my creative pursuit in more ways than one.
One way is making my own personal world, full of colorful characters and vibrant creatures I wish were real. Originally on unused college rule paper, then eventually on my first Wacom table. Right after discovering the world of digital art. Unlimited color and a laundry list of effects for shadows, shades and filters, Creating has never been easier. This exciting discovery expanded my horizons, revealing endless possibilities and offering solace during my life’s most challenging moments. When I became older having this opportunity to take these insightful classes at UTRGV, is an opportunity I will never forget. They helped keep my passion alive and drove me deeper into a clearer path in my current career direction.
When it comes to design, my best direction always led to finding balance. Finding equilibrium is essential to producing designs that are compelling and cohesive, whether it is in the composition of a piece as a whole or in the typographic ratios of individual letters. Nevertheless, finding balance is a path filled with trial and error that calls for endurance and patience. Accepting criticism from mentors and colleagues helped me improve the way I incorporate perspective into my work and bring it to new heights of clarity. It is a process that challenged me the most but is incredibly rewarding in the end. Over the semester, I’d say I have a better grasp in graphic design than I did in the very beginning.
During the semesters, I learned and grew from many past mistakes along the way. I had to drag myself out of my shell and begin to contribute to colleagues’ feedback and accept theirs with open arms. When it came to my designs, their critiques on my work with a great deal of balance to be more cohesive with my morals in designs. I learned not only how to create motion graphics and vibrant designs using Adobe Suites. But I’ve learned to add perspective into my equation of balance to achieve great works I can admire later in life. My experience in UTRGV gave me a chance to show what I can do, and I’m proud to say I am much more confident, ambitious, and capable of bringing much more into this world. I was right to believe I could do much more than cutting out stars.
