Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Acevedo.
Hi Angel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a Creative Director that’s worked in the design sector since 2001. A Miami International University alum (Art Institute,) I’m founder of God is a designer.™ Apparel Project, Filme™ Analog App and design studio ACVDO Aesthetics Co. that I ran with my partner and wife, Karielys Acevedo. Currently serving as Design Manager at Spotify Studios LatAm.
My creative career is a wild MMORPG adventure that started in the year 2001. Had the opportunity to work at a few local print shops and learn ins/outs of the print industry and basic graphic design. As the industry shifted to web 2.0, had fun learning basic HTML, flash (RIP,) MySpace dev (kids won’t understand), WordPress, etc. Dabbled in sound design, motion vfx, all kinds of stuff. Rolled with the punches, I suppose.
I won a scholarship through Skills USA to the Art Institutes in 2006 and graduated MIU in 2010. From 2010 – 2020 Worked at varying design agencies in Coral Gables and Miami Beach, worked as Art Director at Vossen Wheels and did contract Art Direction for Royal Caribbean up until the pandemic.
But all the humble-bragging aside, rewind to 2008. Sitting at church, having some kind of existential crisis, I created this phrase “God is a designer” while attending a church service. Kind of blew my mind. Thinking about existence and the beginning of creation. It was a fun side-project at that time. I would sell apparel at Wynwood Market place when we still had Art Walk (Second Saturdays.) This streetwear project would become one of my most important creations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles is an understatement, with the current landscape and all. But when the pandemic hit globally in 2020, I was at a crossroads. Having recently lost a great job, I was encouraged by my wife, Karielys, along with my mentor and business coach, Chris Do, to prioritize this passion project, God is a designer.™ and launch the streetwear brand. To give purpose to the pain.
Launching a products-based brand is tough, but during a Global Pandemic should [technically] be near impossible. The numbers were stacked against us. But I’m thankful for the community of friends/family, the help of my mentor supporting the project and, of course, my faith in God helped make the Alpha Launch in December 2020 a huge success.
Starting and operating an apparel brand in Miami is sort of like the old Youth Fair Double Looper Roller Coaster; the launch is just that steep climb, once you go, it’s a hell of a ride with all kinds of crazy turns, you just have to hold on for dear life and pray.
Been a learning process, navigating the ins and outs of the apparel industry. A lot of layers to think through. I remember just pumping out designs, wishing to print everything. My mentor challenged me and asked me “Angel, you need to ask yourself ‘is GIAD a viable business or is this just an avenue for your artistic expression?'”
So, yes, obstacles, struggles, there have been many and I forecast more to come. But every bridge to success is built off bricks of failures. I’m not intimidated (at least I try not to be) about challenges. What I don’t know, I’ll try to learn. What I can’t do, I’ll try to delegate. I can’t do things alone if I want to take this brand far.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The TL:DR is that GIAD™ is a streetwear brand inspired by creation.
It was an idea pulled from the first scripture in the Holy Book: Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created…” This means that the very first thing this Creator did, was to make stuff. To design things. To create.
For us as humans, if this is to be believed, it means creativity is in us, it’s a god-like skill that does not discriminate. Anyone and everyone is a creative by default, straight out of the box. I hope to inspire people through the brand to go out and make stuff, even if it’s bad. Every good thing made has dozens of terrible versions behind it.
The GIAD™ brand’s aesthetics is focused on what I called “street-tech.” Is it a thing? I don’t know, maybe, I should have Googled it. Essentially a bit of streetwear and a bit of techwear but for the designer. You’ll notice a lot of the aesthetics features graphic design symbolism, design fundamental language and it’s mostly using the Helvetica typeface paired with Japanese Kanji. The relationship of these two languages has a nice rhythm and balance. Plus, every retro/future film you see has some kind of Japanese influence. Our last trip to Tokyo cemented the style for me.
There are thousands upon thousands of apparel brands globally, especially in our influencer culture. Have so many merch projects that are quite expensive but the quality is pretty terrible. So I wanted to go deeper as opposed to wider. Focus on a sector of the audience, the graphic designer, and make high-quality and fresh goods they’d be proud to wear. Premium, detailed and inspiring apparel pieces; that was and will always be the goal of my project, GIAD.™
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yea, I would say, don’t wait. Go out, make stuff. Fail, try, just don’t quit. If you have a 9-5 job, make sure you have a side project, a hobby, something you truly love (if it’s not your job already.) One of my design heroes, Saul Bass, once said “I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.” So, go, create things because you can.
Contact Info:
- Email: controller@godisadesigner.com
- Website: https://www.godisadesigner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godisadesigner.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godisadesigner.co
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/godisadesigner_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwHAWeZHVI&list=PL_c3UFIlOllbddqJCZMAuOi4A7ROtQ9Bp
- Other: https://www.acvdo.co
Image Credits
Photography courtesy of Yesi Laver @simplylively | www.yesi.fun
