Meet Jackson Traeger | Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jackson Traeger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jackson, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business because I saw a gap in the market for young and experimental creatives like myself in my area. I believe my skills address that unmet need and can improve upon existing design firms in the DFW. I had motivation to begin after I finished at Texas Tech University that I started the day I graduated. As a creative I obviously wanted to have independence but I felt I lacked mentorship and guidance to really get my feet wet so I started working some contract jobs under Senior Designers to get a feel for how they conducted business with design. I knew the financial status of my company would not be more than what I had in my pocket at the beginning but in this new age of tech and social media, I could start branding myself for free-ninety-nine. I wanted my business to grow with me like a mech-suit I wear as armor with big cats in Dallas. And finally, I wanted to create something meaningful. I wanted to create something that would outlast my physical self. My dream is that this company lives forever in the minds of young creatives seeking success and to my friends and family who I can share my passion with.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My mission to become a creative started when I was 7 years old and I accidentally saw the South Park Movie: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. As silly as it sounds South Park was the first thing that challenged my way of thinking. I always loved comedy and grew up wanted to be an animator of some kind, even possibly a voice actor. But as the older I got I found myself working at restaurants, warehouses, moving companies, you name it, I’ve done it. But I always found myself drawing. Whether it was on my homework, food tickets or even on my arms like some weirdo. I just love drawing. Cartoons mostly. But I never thought I could actually do anything with it. In my neighborhood there weren’t many artist I could look up to and I thought my journey was meant to be a business man of some kind. So when I got to college I figured I would be an architect because I love architecture and I love drawing so I did that for two years until I realized that I was absolutely miserable, it was nothing I thought it would be. I sat down with a school counselor and they told me about something I’d never heard of, “Graphic Design”. Now all I remember is they said it’s a lot of sketching and I said “Sign me up!” To be Frank, I never cared much about school, I just liked to party and hang out with friends and I never thought that I would find my calling in the years that followed. It was not an easy journey- I just like drawing cartoons. My classmates were very intimidating. They WERE artist and designers. I felt like a hack, an imposter. But I soon realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way and that I actually had skills the more artistically inclined students did not. So I used those skills to set me apart. It also did not hurt that I was very friendly to my peers and tried to encourage them to the best of my ability. The point I want to make is that if anybody feels they’re not good enough or they don’t belong to something they find value in, you’re wrong. If you love it, you should be there and never give up on yourself or ever think you’re not good enough. Time will take its course.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas is my home. I know the best places to get a bite to eat or where to enjoy the blistering heat. I had a fantastic turkey sandwich yesterday at AllGood Cafe that I would recommend to anybody. But first things first we would stop at Jacks Burger House and take down double Pattie’s and fries with a one of a kind chocolate shake. Next we would go to Katy Trail Ice House for Summer Beers and music. After that it’s time to dance at wherever my cousin Sam Reedy is DJ’ing at. Next day we wake up to some Bubbas breakfast sandwiches and a JD’s muffin and coke to wash it down. Then we’re going to allude Warren park so you can watch me play in the water fountain. Exploring Deep Ellum is never boring, we can stop in several spots just for ambience and because we’re now on a bar crawl. To finish the night we go to my favorite spot by White Rock Lake to watch the sun go down. Then it’s back to Craft & Growler where Grace gives us all the beer we can drink. And on Sunday we go watch turtles and ducks at Lakeside or NorthPark depending on the weather.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here without my mother. The person who never gave up on me and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. And my grandfather who has supported me through thick and thin. I also wouldn’t have the confidence in my skills like I do now without my peers and professors at Texas Tech University. I had great influences and teachings in Lubbock, Texas and I will always cherish those who told me to never give up! And finally, my friends and family who I grew up with who challenge my artistic vision through different mediums and channels that keep me on my toes and keep me smiling ear to ear.

Website: jtraeger.com

Instagram: @trgr.jpg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-traeger-a4315a128/