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

Hi Jonathan, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
The balance between my work / life has improved ever since I began working completely for myself – and ironically so did my earnings. This result wasn’t what I expected when I made the leap back in 2017 but I believe it reflects a growing trend in my industry toward better quality of life and more appreciation of the worker vs. the big company owner. My work suffers when I’m burned out and/or haven’t had enough time away from it, as is the standard equation for most creative pursuits and their conductors. Contrast is key for me. The joy of what I do is found, first, in the inspiration to do it – and I can’t get excited about typography, brand storytelling, and authentic influences when I’m sitting at my desk all the time. The best human creation occurs when we are the most human. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a graphic designer and illustrator – I specialize in core brand development. While I’m obviously never quite sure what draws people to want to work with me, specifically, I do have a certain niche aesthetic and design sensibility which serves a range of graphic / branding needs across an array of industries within which my clients are positioned. Schubert Studio, my one-man band, has been active and thriving since 2017, officially. Before Schubert Studio became my exclusive pursuit I spent five years working in-house as an entry / mid-level designer at Fossil, in Dallas. In 2015 I left Fossil to work in a studio environment at the Dallas-based legend, Tractorbeam. In my seven years of professional experience I gained a wealth of knowledge and practical skills for this industry and met a lot of good folks along the way. I was also taking on my own freelance whenever I could – working at night or on the week end to get it done. It was within my freelance work that I was able to pursue aesthetics and graphic experiments which I was most interested in. Eventually I had to make a choice between continuing to work for other people or pursuing growing my own “studio” into something real. As of today Schubert Studio is 3.5 years young and, thankfully, weathering this pandemic recession quite well – and I’m happy to report that for 3.5 years I’ve been doing what I love, and on my own terms. It can be hard work some weeks – but I wouldn’t trade it for anything; it’s mine. As my creative director at Fossil used to say: “Hustle makes muscle” – and it really does. You have to put in the work if you want to see results in anything in life. Career building is no different. Listen to your gut and take on the work that feels right – but when it gets hard to keep going and you’ve been working a 14 hour day with three more hours to sink just to meet that self-imposed deadline so you can do the same thing on another project the next day so you can go on vacation or get paid or make the client happy, just remember: if it was supposed to be easy it probably wouldn’t be something that moves you – or anyone else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oak Cliff – it’s beautiful out here and the people are usually real. Reveler’s Hall all day – it’s a small piece of New Orleans in Dallas. I also make decent rum cocktails on my porch in Winnetka Heights – and to the sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club (COVID safe hangs).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without all the people who helped me along the way. The Dallas / wider Texas design community is a small world and so much of my personal journey has been influenced by the folks I’ve had the pleasure and luck to work alongside over the years. These countless individuals have done everything from hire me, challenge me, teach me, and encourage me along the way – and I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve had. I would also be nowhere without my beautiful and wonderful fiancé, Shalini – she is a constant source of encouragement and an extra set of eyes when mine are tired.

Website: https://dribbble.com/jonathanschubert
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschubertstudio/

Image Credits
Reed Kenney

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