Today we’d like to introduce you to Javaris “westmcfly” Weston.
Westmcfly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up: Being creative is an art. I have been into art for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been the kid that has seen things creatively, that others didn’t. I was into sci-fi, dated late night shows, and I use to imagine real life scenes as if they were scenes from my favorite sitcom. I had an eye for locations and spaces, always taking in what I would see. Then, when I was around eight years old, I started doodling. I would doodle until doodling turned into the drawing. I once drew a photo of my step-dad sleeping. The photo was so lifelike. My family was in awe of how much I captured his likeness so much. So, it encouraged me to take an art class in high school. I was so engulfed in art, I never thought about it beyond high school. When I got to college, I was an athlete, who didn’t know what they should have majored in. It was my mom that encouraged me to continue pursuing art in college. in college, you learn all different forms: ceramics, wood working, painting, broadcast, and computer graphics. Once I found out I could use a computer to do art. I knew that was it. By the end of freshman year, my love for art and computers came to life.
Your Story: I started college at Valdosta State University, where I majored in Fine arts. Now, this is 2001, so we are seeing a lot of technology changing and evolving. I was learning this new vector based computer program called Macromedia Flash, later known as Adobe Flash, and how to use this using action script. I started learning about computer animations, and begin to gain momentum in the program until I transferred universities. I started attending Florida A&M University and entered into the school of journalisms graphic communications, and they weren’t using Flash yet. They did, however, expose me to a side of arts I’ve never come across; Graphic design. There, I learned computer animation before I learned the graphic side of things. So, the transfer was one of the best things that could have happened for my path to digital technology.
After graduating, I came back home to Jacksonville, and, I got a job opportunity at a local magazine as a production designer. Only I wasn’t a production designer, I was cutting the graphics. I was sweeping the floor; I was getting the coffee. What I wasn’t doing was my job title for the production designer. Every once in a while, they would throw me something meaningful, but not enough to keep me there. Next, I got a Job revolving around sports marketing. I was able to use my background and create event marketing on a corporate scale. While I was creating digital marketing content for this company, it got me thinking. if I can do this for a large corporate entity, I can create for my clients directly. From that point on, everything became a learning opportunity for me. I was creating social media content, marketing for large events, I was sharpening and applying my skills by freelancing for my clients on the side. Once my skill set increased, so did My level of responsibilities with freelancing. I was getting new clients and new content requests. My base expanded, and I began traveling to meet clients and do work with them.
After five years in sports marketing, it was time to walk away. that, I opened JWCG on a full-time basis. My reasons were personal. I didn’t want to be somewhere 20 years later and capping my level of creativity for one genre. I wanted to expand as creative and eventually help others to do the same. I am blessed with the gift of vision. What I do inspires me, but more than that, I can re-create a moment for someone that only they could imagine for themselves. Knowing that I helped create something that will they always have, is why I do this.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve had a few minor setbacks along the way. The first one was when I graduated from college. The story is, you graduate from college and all of these jobs are waiting for you. Surprise, it doesn’t always happen like that. I got a job offer a few months later, and. I was originally recruited to be a designer, but I became the person who cut the flyers. I was an assistant, and I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do the things I wanted to do and create. The things I was told I was going to do and what I expected was not my reality. This stiffened my creativity and could have been a major setback if I let it.
Another setback was around the turn of the digital era. I had a computer, and I never back it up. I lost years of digital data. At that point, I was very discouraged. Everything I collected and created was now gone. There was no cloud to retrieve it from, no drive that is automatically backed up to. It was gone. Starting from square one can be discouraging, but I had to do it. I have learned to always back up my work, but more importantly, I learned just how creative I am. I began creating more and more original content out of necessity. So in essence, it made me stronger. In the future, I hope to continue creating.
Please tell us about your business.
What makes me different from the rest is that I do it all, I would say I’m known as a media specialist but specialize in video. I can take your idea and couple with my various talents, fulfill your request. At the end of the day, my clients come to me to create their content. From web design and graphic media to weddings and political campaigns. From something as simple as a PDF to something more complex like a mock campaign ballot for an event. Everyone knows that I am multifaceted in my delivery, but I’m the guy for your content. On top of that, I even handle marketing, as well as consult others in the industry who need guidance. I am also a team player, and I want to expand and help others along the way. I would like to specialize in HUGE events such as festivals and conferences, something that involves a team environment and different levels of creatives can come together and create something truly spectacular. I want to allow others to learn this industry, but they bring their own specific thing to the table. I will always be creating. I love Miami, I would love to create for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jwestcreativegroup.com
- Email: jwestcreativegroup@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jwestcreativegroup
- Facebook: facebook.com/jwestcreativegroup
Image Credit:
Blue Franswa
www.bluefranswa.com
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
