In this episode, I chat with Colombian Creative Director and Illustrator Daniela Jordan-Villaveces. Daniela is a US and Colombian Dual Citizen who was raised in Colombia up until high school before moving to Naples, FL. Her work injects joy and happiness through her use of punchy bold colors and vivid patterns. Keep on listening to hear us chat about Daniela’s international upbringing, why she majored in Printmaking at OCAD, and how she became a Creative Director.
In this episode, I chat with Colombian Creative Director and Illustrator Daniela Jordan-Villaveces. Daniela is a US and Colombian Dual Citizen who was raised in Colombia up until high school before moving to Naples, FL. Her work injects joy and happiness through her use of punchy bold colors and vivid patterns. Keep on listening to hear us chat about Daniela’s international upbringing, why she majored in Printmaking at OCAD, and how she became a Creative Director.
EPISODE LINKS
- Watch this Episode on Youtube (Premiering at 5pm ET)
- Support [Draws in Spanish] on Patreon
- Host: Follow Fabiola on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
- Guest: Follow Daniela on Instagram and view her website
TOPICS COVERED:
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00;00;10;02 - 00;00;30;17
Fabiola Lara
Hey, friends, you're listening to Draws in Spanish if you're new here. Welcome to the show. I'm your host, Fabiola Lara. I'm a Chilean American illustrator and podcaster based in Philly. And on this show, I like to chat with Latin X visual artists and designer to talk about their culture and also their creative career. So a little bit of both.
00;00;31;02 - 00;00;52;29
Fabiola Lara
In case you missed it, draws in Spanish is now also available on YouTube as a video podcast. So if you want to watch us talk instead of just listening, be sure to check out my YouTube channel. Just search for jobs in Spanish. Or click the link in the show notes. Whatever you want. Now, today I'm chatting with Colombian creative director and illustrator Daniela Jourdan.
00;00;52;29 - 00;01;23;06
Fabiola Lara
Whichever says Daniela is a Colombian born and L.A. based creative who has worked with brands like Google, Samsung, Chobani and was even a part of Target's recent Latina heritage Month collection. Her work is super colorful, punchy and full of fun patterns that really draw you in and inject joy into your life. Keep on listening to hear us talk about what it's like growing up in Bogota, her experience pursuing a degree in printmaking and her process for creating patterns.
00;01;23;15 - 00;01;37;20
Fabiola Lara
Okay, let's get into today's show. Kailyn Yalla, welcome to Drama in Spanish. I'm so happy to have you on the show. How are you doing?
00;01;37;28 - 00;01;42;11
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Hi. I'm doing great. I'm so happy to thank you so much for this. This is awesome.
00;01;42;22 - 00;01;52;14
Fabiola Lara
Of course, I've been following your work for a while now. I'm not exactly sure how long we've been Instagram mutuals, but it feels like. Like a while. Like, I feel like at least pandemic time.
00;01;52;15 - 00;02;07;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I was going to say I feel like we so we have a friend in common and we talk about you a lot, even though we're like, I don't think she knows you either in real life, but. Oh, yeah, Fabiola. Like, no big deal. You know? No, I know. And they're.
00;02;07;08 - 00;02;07;19
Fabiola Lara
My friend.
00;02;07;19 - 00;02;29;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Now. Yeah. I mean, I'm assuming you guys talk a lot because she does, like we talk about you, like. Oh, like she's doing this like she did the voting stickers or something. Like, we're familiar with you. Her name is Annie. And she also does social or social for a while. Yeah, I think we used to work together, and then we were both like this cool girl, you know, this cool girl.
00;02;29;28 - 00;02;38;09
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, that's cool. You know, that kind of thing where it's like, Oh, I don't think we've ever met, but it's frigging great that we get to now share you, you know?
00;02;38;22 - 00;02;58;28
Fabiola Lara
Yes, that's amazing. I'm so happy. I've never met Annie in real life either. I have another mutual friend with her. So, like, and social media, because I think she did social for Bando and then I did social for POPSUGAR. So we were like social coworkers in a sense. So yeah, I love that. I love that. So cute. It makes me so happy.
00;02;58;29 - 00;03;19;14
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I know. And we talk about you like so candidly too, which is so great because I think I was talking about maybe we'll get to talking about this at some point, but just kind of like the transition to having everything, the video and making sure that like you engage with content and whatever. And she just kind of said, you know, I was really good at this.
00;03;19;25 - 00;03;27;11
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's fabulous. And I was like, Yeah, but because she puts tons of effort into it and it shows. So we were like, Oh my God, that means so.
00;03;27;12 - 00;03;29;22
Speaker 3
Much to me. Yeah, yeah, that.
00;03;29;22 - 00;03;42;00
Fabiola Lara
Means a lot to me because I. Yeah, I want everyone to know, including you and Annie, that I am trying like it's not a casual accidental. Like, it's not effortless. It requires a lot of effort to.
00;03;42;00 - 00;04;00;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Show that video. I think I'm like, I think part of why I struggle so much with it too, is because I feel like a lot of people are just so informal, like something that on TikTok just catches fire is just like somebody throwing an object on the table and I'm like, Whoa, I will never do that. I will take so much time.
00;04;00;14 - 00;04;22;00
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Everything needs to be perfect because that's kind of what social media used to be in a way, too, just like, beautifully curated and like, you have to show a perfect world. And I'm still kind of in that mode of like, I don't know, it doesn't seem like throwing something is just okay. So we talked about that a little bit too, just kind of like the shift and the just pace of it all to.
00;04;22;20 - 00;04;52;14
Fabiola Lara
I know I feel like I agree. I totally agree with you. I think like coming from the perspective of having done social media for brands especially, it's like one of those things where you do have to be even extra curated, like it's curated and then it's a brand safe, you know? And now even when we do it for ourselves, I still feel stuck in that like curated kind of vibe more and more as I experiment with doing stuff and realize like, nobody cares really, or like it doesn't matter.
00;04;52;14 - 00;05;14;13
Fabiola Lara
Another nobody cares, but it doesn't matter how polished it is necessarily. I'm like relaxing with it, but the approach that I like to take and I forget who where I heard this. So I'm taking this from somebody, but I don't know, was like three your take talk or your reals like Instagram stories. And so when I do that, I kind of feel more relaxed.
00;05;14;13 - 00;05;18;27
Fabiola Lara
But reals is not like Instagram stories. People do like crazy stuff.
00;05;18;27 - 00;05;46;13
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Unreal. I was just going to say, I first of all, half the time I treat stories very seriously too, especially if it has to do with work. Like if I'm showing my kid or the dog. Yeah, it doesn't matter. But if it's like work related, I'm, I put a lot of time and care into it. That's the thing too, because you work so hard on like illustration design, whatever it may be, it's like, well, I'm not just going to phone it in with this last part, I'm showing it to the world.
00;05;46;13 - 00;06;05;14
Fabiola Lara
So I think it's like a it's like a double edged sword of being like a professional and having worked with brands before, especially to you feel like, you know, that, that you can do better, you know, and that there's like a better way to present it and you get stuck there, but it's not necessarily like always the best thing.
00;06;05;22 - 00;06;21;09
Fabiola Lara
So it's very like it's very tricky to balance. Okay. But before we get too caught up in that first, again, I guess second at this point, can you give the listeners like an introduction to you and your work for anyone who hasn't seen your work before?
00;06;21;23 - 00;06;46;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, for sure. So my name is Daniella Jarvis's. I am from Colombia but I've lived in North America for the past almost 20 years now. So I went to school in Canada and then moved to New York and three and a half years ago I moved to L.A. with my husband and we recently had a baby. So I am a mom now too, which is crazy.
00;06;46;08 - 00;07;09;27
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And then I guess part of what I do for work is just a lot of design and illustration that's really kind of pattern focused, super colorful, super bright and then just kind of trying to, you know, inspire people, bring them a little bit of joy in their lives. I feel like the world is kind of crushing you at all times, so might as well just try and make the best of it.
00;07;09;27 - 00;07;14;23
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And what I've been trying to do is kind of like inject a little bit of happiness for my work.
00;07;16;00 - 00;07;37;29
Fabiola Lara
I couldn't agree more. I think your work definitely hits that mark. It's it's like through color, you're able to inject so much happiness in your works. Like I feel like the world that you're women that you draw live in and just like the patterns that you make are so happy and colorful and like, I guess for me, the word that comes, it's like punchy, right?
00;07;37;29 - 00;07;56;05
Fabiola Lara
I feel like that is your essence. So I love that you're doing that with your work. And I think, you know, you're hitting your mission, is what I'm saying. Like, yes, your work is totally doing that. So I know that you were born in Colombia. Can you tell me like how long you lived there or just like your life there?
00;07;56;14 - 00;07;59;22
Fabiola Lara
Or maybe you guys moved really quickly? That's what I want to know.
00;07;59;27 - 00;08;20;11
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Mm hmm. Well, it's weird because I've lived a bunch of different places, but I'm just, like, fully a Colombian person. Like, I don't have a lot of. I feel like a lot of the people that you talk to, and this is why it's so cool that this podcast exists, because there's like so many different identities. It's like being a Latin, Latin next Latina person.
00;08;20;11 - 00;08;47;13
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I think I'm fully Colombian more than anything. I've been a dual citizenship for like for a while, but dual citizen for a while. But at the same time I'm like, Well, no, I'm from Colombia. Nice to meet you. So I lived there most of my childhood and through my teenage years. And then when I moved here, I think I always just made a really conscious effort of This is great and this is part of my new life.
00;08;47;13 - 00;09;04;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
But also like, I'm not just going to start over and I can kind of do both at the same time. So kind of still being aware of what's going on, keeping up not so much with trans and things like that. I feel like a lot of the time people reference TV shows or music and I'm like that. I've never heard of that.
00;09;04;08 - 00;09;32;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I'm sorry, but. But more so. Just like other aspects, like politics. I'm like very kind of connected with what's going on while sleep is like throughout the continent too, but just yeah. Making sure that like, there's still very important part of my life that's just being a person that's Colombian. But at the same time, I've lived here for so long, my husband is American and he's like just a very white dude from St Louis.
00;09;32;20 - 00;09;50;06
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And now we have a baby that's like half and half. So just kind of learning to live for both of them and like we've done together at times, but also just like understand that they're very different and sometimes they can kind of commingle really well and then sometimes they're just like different aspects of life.
00;09;51;23 - 00;10;19;06
Fabiola Lara
I am so happy that you say that because I think, Yeah, like you said, I have interviewed a lot of people from different places. A lot of people do tend to be like squarely in the middle where they feel because they've grown up here, they feel very much like, you know, ex American, right? Mexican American or whatever. And I love that you're like, no, I mostly identify with being Colombian who happens to have lived here in the U.S. for a long time.
00;10;19;23 - 00;10;35;04
Fabiola Lara
And that actually was one of my questions, which I was like, Is that a weird question to ask? Like, Which nationality do you identify with the most? But I'm glad that Colombia is like in you and it makes a lot of sense too, because you grew up there. So that's like your for foundational know it for what's it called.
00;10;35;07 - 00;10;36;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Formation or.
00;10;36;12 - 00;10;38;05
Fabiola Lara
Formation or. Yeah, we don't know.
00;10;38;05 - 00;10;38;18
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I don't know.
00;10;39;15 - 00;10;40;12
Speaker 3
So yeah.
00;10;40;21 - 00;10;45;06
Fabiola Lara
I am. So that's that's really cool. So what part of Colombia to be exact.
00;10;45;19 - 00;11;07;19
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, I'm from Bogota. So the capital and very much like not it's weird to say, but like more than Colombian, I am like fully a person from Bogota. So I feel like Colombia super happy, vibrant. And we want things like we're so like loud and rambunctious. And the people from Bogota are not us, like cheery just because it's cold there.
00;11;07;19 - 00;11;30;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's up in the mountains. So in a way, we're a little bit more similar to like people from the Andes than like people from the Caribbean, even though Colombia is like in the middle, smack in the middle of them. So I think I'm a little bit more like reserved, whereas people from other parts are like just so fun and like doors are always open and everyone knows each other and we're more like, no.
00;11;31;25 - 00;11;34;06
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I'm a little more like that.
00;11;34;20 - 00;11;46;27
Fabiola Lara
That is fascinating because yeah. Do you feel like you often get like pushed into the stereotype of being like this, like warm, open, like colombiana, like exotic dancer?
00;11;46;29 - 00;12;12;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, for sure. And like, I have a lot of interactions. People are lovely about it, but they're like, Oh my gosh, your accent. And like, I don't speak like the telenovelas. It's a little bit different. Like we're kind of singing songs, but I'm like, it's, it's a little bit of a colder culture for sure. I think part of it is like being just like up in the mountains where it's a little chilly all the time, as opposed to just like in the tropics, having a blast.
00;12;12;28 - 00;12;16;02
Fabiola Lara
So right now everyone's like hanging outside, getting to know each other.
00;12;16;02 - 00;12;35;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah. And I definitely have friends from like Burbank, Jakarta, and it's yeah, it's different. It's more just kind of like a little bit more just again, open opened doors everywhere, people knowing each other more just kind of like, let's always have fun, which like we're a little bit different.
00;12;36;27 - 00;12;57;00
Fabiola Lara
I think that's so cool to like just hear more about the different complexities within even a country because you know, especially in the U.S., Latin, it all gets made into like this one stereo, I'm going to call it a stereotype, but maybe it's a trope where it's like this one view and that's the view that a lot of Americans have.
00;12;57;24 - 00;13;07;01
Fabiola Lara
And so even I love talking about like the differences within within the culture because I feel like they're so overlooked all the time and it's so frustrating for everyone.
00;13;07;18 - 00;13;30;04
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I mean, it's yeah, we, we are so different. And again, like people from Argentina and Mexico, sure. There's like there's language, there's, you know, being colonized. There's a lot of things that are there that we all have in common. But at the same time, like each country is so different too and like has so many little special things going on.
00;13;30;04 - 00;13;49;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So it's hard to talk about Latin culture without being like, but wait, there's so many little things. Hold on. Instead of like Latin. It's not just like it's not like Italian or something. We are like, well, that's one country. Like, it's like saying European. You're talking about a bunch of different places there, you know.
00;13;49;05 - 00;14;09;23
Fabiola Lara
So yes, yes. It's like saying North American where it just starts to get a little bit too broad, you know, and I definitely agree with that. Now that we are past Latin Heritage Month, I feel like we can look back. But it's like during that month, all these brands or even just like everyone on social media is talking about Latin Heritage Month.
00;14;09;23 - 00;14;27;26
Fabiola Lara
But it's so broad that it's so hard to like say anything meaningful and still stay like general because it's just too broad of a mind. So and I feel like that's how the the Latin America gets treated all the time. It just gets like but it's so many countries. Like, how can we do that?
00;14;28;05 - 00;14;56;16
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Exactly. And even just like people that grew up in in the United States are so different to like, again, there's just it's just hard to talk about because we have so many things that really do connect us. But at the same time, I think it's important to kind of always make people aware that there are differences. For example, my husband works with a guy from Puerto Rico and oftentimes he's asked to like, do things for like everyone that's Latin.
00;14;56;16 - 00;15;21;02
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And he was like, I'm I'm from Puerto Rico. We speak differently. We have different things, like Mexican culture is really different. Mexican American culture has its own like set of different things. So he he oftentimes tries to be like, hold on, like, yeah, we got another person at least from a different country or someone that was born here is I'm going to talk about things because it's just like it's not like the Latin guy, you know?
00;15;21;10 - 00;15;42;15
Fabiola Lara
I know. And I feel like that happens all the time. If you're like a Latina or Latino in the workplace, it's like you become kind of the token go to person and it's like, wait, now I'm representing like the entire continent, like and Central America and the Americas as a whole. Like, this is a lot of pressure that's definitely underestimated.
00;15;42;24 - 00;15;59;05
Fabiola Lara
So if you're watching and your family is also from Bogota or from Colombia, I would love it if he could drop a Colombia flag in the comments on YouTube or whatever. I want to know who from Colombia is listening to us. And, you know, maybe you're warm and fuzzy and, you know, or maybe not.
00;15;59;18 - 00;16;04;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Or maybe me and maybe you'll be like, absolutely not. I don't agree with her whatsoever. So.
00;16;04;24 - 00;16;27;11
Fabiola Lara
Yes, let's fight in the comments. No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Okay. So what then brought you to the U.S.? I'm assuming it was like school, right? Because I think you you mentioned that. But give me a little bit more color because I know that there's a lot of people who listen and think about coming to the U.S., consider it and it just like to show people the different ways that people approach coming here.
00;16;27;11 - 00;16;55;01
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Okay. Well, so my dad has actually lived here for ever. My parents are divorced and my dad moved to America when I was three. So I would always just kind of spend the summers with him. And then when when I was 17, my mom and my sister and my stepdad were like, we're going to move to Canada. You can either move with us and finish high school there or move with your dad.
00;16;55;01 - 00;17;11;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And I was like, Oh, wait, I've never actually lived with my dad. It could be so fun. And also at the time my dad was just like so much more established. Whereas I knew that if we moved, you kind of have to start again in many ways. And I was like, Well, he has like a house in Florida.
00;17;11;28 - 00;17;20;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I think this is like and it also seemed like American High School would be so much easier than Canadian ones. So I was like, I think I want a little break.
00;17;20;20 - 00;17;23;22
Fabiola Lara
Easier in what sense? Culturally or just.
00;17;24;01 - 00;17;44;12
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Academically? Like, Yeah, I don't know why. I just assumed that even though now I feel like I don't think it's going to be that incredibly different from Canada, but I just sort of killed myself for so long in school and I don't really want to start over with them. I'd rather just like move in to my dad's, like cushy life, if you will.
00;17;44;21 - 00;17;48;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I moved to Florida and finished high school there.
00;17;49;08 - 00;17;53;27
Fabiola Lara
Can I ask what part of Florida? Because I'm from Florida, too, and I had no idea about this.
00;17;53;27 - 00;18;05;26
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, I'm from well, he used to live in Naples, so the Southwest, so kind of different, very kind of like country club life, if you will.
00;18;05;26 - 00;18;15;10
Fabiola Lara
Yes, yes. All our Naples is like old people love it. They're like retired snowbirds. It's it's pretty low.
00;18;15;10 - 00;18;34;21
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's it's so nice. I just feel like you. Like you're either those people or the people that work for them. And my dad had a restaurant, so very much like the kind of person that worked for other people and like waited for them in the winter when it got cold. And yeah, just lots of old people, but beautiful beaches kind of like sleepy.
00;18;34;21 - 00;18;46;10
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
But again, it was fine for kind of just finishing up. And then when I wanted to go to school, obviously school in America is so expensive in comparison to most places.
00;18;46;22 - 00;18;47;25
Fabiola Lara
University level.
00;18;47;27 - 00;19;13;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yes. So then I decided to go to school in Toronto to OC, which is like the art school there, which is I loved it, it was awesome. But then after Toronto I was like, I don't know if like there's enough happening in Canada for now. So I decided to move to New York and I don't know why my parents were like, That can fly.
00;19;13;12 - 00;19;16;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
You don't have anything lined up, but just go do it.
00;19;16;29 - 00;19;32;24
Fabiola Lara
Because you're young, you have nothing to lose and they know it. And especially if they themselves are people who move. It's not so shocking, right? Your mom did that move? Your dad did that move to them? It's like this is the era where you start making those big moves, I guess.
00;19;32;24 - 00;19;42;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
But I had like 1100 dollars and again, nothing lined up. So they were very kind to just be like, sure, go ahead and figure it out.
00;19;43;11 - 00;20;00;09
Fabiola Lara
Yes. But that's what people do in New York, too, like, because New York moves so fast that it is like you could get an interview and a job in one week. You know, it could be that fast. So that that's the kind of stuff that like New York is known for. And I'm glad you were able to make it work.
00;20;00;09 - 00;20;17;25
Fabiola Lara
Wow. I can't believe you moved so much, especially internationally. That's like a lot. It makes a lot of sense that you went to Naples, because if you are spending summers summers with your dad, then it's like, okay, I'm going, I'd rather do that than like move to an entire other new culture that I haven't really been exposed to.
00;20;17;25 - 00;20;18;07
Fabiola Lara
So.
00;20;18;17 - 00;20;37;22
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And yeah, at the time it was just like, like he had this like beautiful house. And again, it just seemed so much easier as opposed to like, I don't even know, like as much as now I feel like I'm very familiar with Canada because I've lived there, I have family there. It seems like, okay, that's fine. But I was just like, I have no idea what it's going to be like.
00;20;38;00 - 00;20;55;21
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And I've been to this other house a million times and this relatively small town. It's not a small town, it's a small city. But to me, coming from Bogota, it was like this little beach town thing was like, okay, this is so easy. I can kind of handle this a lot more so perfect.
00;20;55;21 - 00;21;15;11
Fabiola Lara
And when you were in Colombia, since you had this like bicultural experience, what was your perspective of the U.S. as someone from Bullitt that I'm always curious to know, because I only see the U.S. as someone who lives here, right? So I'm like this, you know, this is cool, I guess. And to me, everything is about the U.S. because I live here.
00;21;15;11 - 00;21;21;02
Fabiola Lara
So everything that I consume as U.S. based. So I'm like, What was your perspective like? I'm dying to know.
00;21;22;01 - 00;21;48;18
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Well, I guess it's changed a lot during the years as I've lived here, but when I was growing up, it almost seemed like a playground, like it seemed like things were like easier and more fun. And also because my parents were divorced, I feel like my dad just kind of like made it all be so awesome. So it was like junk food all the time, watching movies or whatever it was in the summer.
00;21;48;18 - 00;22;09;11
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So it was just kind of like all the summer things you could think of. So that was kind of the idea I had. It was like just funland, you know, theme parks, just like the axis of like popular culture that the U.S. exudes, you know, it's just like it's like the place that entertains the world. Like, at least that's what I thought.
00;22;09;11 - 00;22;25;11
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
You know, it was just like, again, like everything that was just kind of like, fun was here basically. Not that it wasn't fun to be in Colombia. It's beautiful. And it was really exciting. It was just like this just to like all of it at once kind of a thing.
00;22;26;01 - 00;22;45;14
Fabiola Lara
Yes. Yes. I mean, that's kind of how I always feel like the U.S. is where it's like we kind of expect everyone else to be consuming American culture all the time. Like, that's my assumption is like everyone knows things that are American, but then I'm like, Wow, that is so rude because we don't really consume things from other countries, right?
00;22;45;14 - 00;22;54;26
Fabiola Lara
Like I know certain Chile Chilean things because my mom watched it in the house, but otherwise, like, I would be completely, you know, I don't know what's going on in Colombia.
00;22;55;10 - 00;23;17;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
No, I know. It's it's like. Yeah. And it also just happens everywhere. So I used to kind of take offense of like, why don't people know anything about Colombia? And now I'm like, because they don't like no one ever gets exposed to a lot of things unless you seek them out in dividual and like you travel a lot and you read and you're interested just kind of by being here, you will not get any kind of.
00;23;18;11 - 00;23;33;14
Fabiola Lara
No, you don't get exposed to anything like foreign really here except like the blockbuster foreign movies that it like but not even TV's like. I think the most foreign TV I watch is like British TV.
00;23;33;23 - 00;23;37;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, exactly. Like Irish is when you like all the weird.
00;23;37;17 - 00;23;42;02
Fabiola Lara
Yes, you're so right. Irish is like the new like, you know, I'm into like, culture.
00;23;43;16 - 00;23;45;15
Speaker 3
It makes me laugh because my my.
00;23;45;15 - 00;24;21;09
Fabiola Lara
Boyfriend is Irish. So whenever I have it on, I'm like, look, we're learning about your people, but it's like around, you know, Derry girls or whatever. So what did you end up graduating with? I know I'm hearing a lot of different things. I'm like, Wait, let's double check. It's time for a little break to remind you that if you want to listen to the extended version of this episode, consider joining the draws in Spanish on on the draws in Spanish Patreon, you can access exclusive rewards, like joining our Discord community, joining our co-working sessions, listening to extended episodes, and so much more.
00;24;21;15 - 00;24;41;06
Fabiola Lara
If that sounds good to you, then head on over to patriarchal ancestries in Spanish to join. Now, if you don't have the means to join the patriarchy, I totally understand and no pressure. But remember, you can support the show for free by subscribing to the show on YouTube, following the show on Spotify or Apple and just sharing an episode with your friends.
00;24;41;16 - 00;24;44;20
Fabiola Lara
Thanks again for your support. Now let's get back to today's show.
00;24;45;12 - 00;25;11;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I have a BFA in printmaking, which again was so fun. It was a really small class and I'm really, really grateful that I got to use everything because printing presses are crazy and there's not a lot of like unless you have like a printing studio where you do stationery cards or like a fine art or something, then it's not that easy to kind of be around that.
00;25;12;00 - 00;25;32;15
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I'm really happy that I got to learn about all the different techniques and like acid baths and lithography and just printing in really amazing spaces, but also just really kind of taking advantage of that in school and then outside doing a lot more kind of illustration based work. Wow.
00;25;32;19 - 00;25;57;10
Fabiola Lara
I, yeah, I think that degree is so versatile even though you learn like very specific skills, they're so easily like applicable to other types of design. And I think because, because printmaking so I don't know that much, right? So excuse me if I get anything wrong, but to me printmaking is it can be fine art, but it also can be commercial, right.
00;25;57;10 - 00;26;14;04
Fabiola Lara
Because you can make a set of posters you can make like, you know, just like advertisements like that kind of stuff. So it does have that versatility and it's so fun to be able to learn those like traditional techniques that almost you have access to. It's really hard to learn, like lithography on your own.
00;26;14;23 - 00;26;39;00
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I don't know how you can start. Like maybe you can do like a lino cut at home, but there's just some things that I'm like, they're printing presses like £500 and everything is costly and kind of so time like there's just a lot going on with it. But yeah, I know friends that have like publication studios where they print like zines and posters and like cool artist books.
00;26;39;00 - 00;26;54;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And then I have friends that do more digital stuff, so like really intense printing for like huge companies. So yeah, applications can be kind of everywhere. And then of course I have friends that like were like, I don't want to do any of this. I'll go into H.R. or whatever. So yeah.
00;26;55;05 - 00;27;17;29
Fabiola Lara
Yeah. I love it. I think, yeah, it's, it's such a cool in between and I love that you were like, I love that you were just flexible enough, adaptable enough to pursue book like this, this degree, despite the fact that you were like, Oh, illustration is in the design school, but like, I can't get over there. So how do I, how do I like make it work for me and you definitely did.
00;27;18;19 - 00;27;35;26
Fabiola Lara
And I feel like that shows tenacity and just like, you know, being able to iterate on the skills that you're learning in school and still using them in your own way. I think that's something that I can't be taught, but like when you're creative, you just like have it in you to keep going and figure out how you want to use it.
00;27;35;26 - 00;27;46;05
Fabiola Lara
So that's really smart. And hopefully there's printmakers currently listening to us who are like, I don't know why I'm getting this degree. And then it's like, No, you can make it work.
00;27;46;05 - 00;28;04;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, you can graduate and then rethink a lot of things. Don't worry, it applies to multiple things that you like, whatever you're going to school for. That's what I always think too. Like, don't worry so much. If you're kind of like stuck in a degree you don't like or maybe aren't sure what to do, you can always figure out a lot more afterwards too.
00;28;04;22 - 00;28;21;04
Fabiola Lara
Don't worry. Yeah. In the moment it feels very much like you're in this box and you have to like there's only one way. But then the minute you get out, you're like, Oh, we can just do whatever. Like, nobody's like triple checking, like what your degree is. If you have the talent, you have the talent. And I think that's something people forget.
00;28;21;18 - 00;28;45;02
Fabiola Lara
So, you know, at some point you went over to Bando to become a designer there. So can you tell me about that time? And like, I know you ended up becoming creative director at Bando, so like fill in those gaps for me because I feel like people, especially especially aspiring artists, creative director seems like the ultimate title, right?
00;28;45;09 - 00;28;55;01
Fabiola Lara
And so it's like, how do you even go from someone who's a designer or who's an illustrator or a photographer, whatever it may be to creative director, that's like a really big jump.
00;28;55;01 - 00;29;27;26
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, I so I started doing freelance things for Bando initially. They work with tons of artisan designers, I think. Right before I did those first illustrations, they kind of had made the decision of like, we really want to empower artists. We really want to work with as many people as possible. So I did some freelance projects with them initially, and then in 2019 they had a call for a position and I was like, Oh, I got like, Yes, yes, yes, yes.
00;29;27;26 - 00;29;44;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I just remember being like, sometimes when you look at job postings, you're like, I've no idea how to do that part, but I know this really well. This one was just like, Oh, this is so perfect. They needed somebody that kind of understood apparel in a way. And I had worked in apparel, but also just kind of like the brand new world.
00;29;44;17 - 00;30;04;04
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And it's like while I've drawn for them, I understand. I kind of knew the people that were there, like a lot of, a lot of the people that used to work there I had already met before. So it just seemed like this seems really good. We wanted to make a move out of New York at the time, so we were looking at different options.
00;30;04;18 - 00;30;26;27
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Initially, my my husband has like the real job in the household. So I always thought, well, whatever he gets, he's kind of like the one that's going to be more in charge of where we go, depending on what kind of job he gets. And then I actually ended up getting this job and I was like, Well, if you get something in L.A., I think we should consider this.
00;30;26;27 - 00;30;53;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And he happened to like just find a job fairly quickly, which was great. And then we moved here and I initially started working as a product design manager. So under the creative director, kind of like making sure that like everything that was product based was well designed and executed. And then our creative director left and I was like, Well, I feel like I can do this if you're interested.
00;30;53;28 - 00;31;07;01
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Let me show you. Let me, like, give me a chance and see what we can do. And then that was my position for like two years. So it worked out pretty well and it was fun. It was so fun. Kind of like again, trying to build that world.
00;31;07;28 - 00;31;34;06
Fabiola Lara
Yes, that's so impressive. I feel like people who are illustrators or artists kind of think that the corporate world is not for them or doesn't have a place for them. And I think your story really shows that you can thrive in a corporate environment. I mean, it has its pros and it's con just like freelancing has pros and cons, but there are skills that you can develop and learn and take with you and grow.
00;31;34;06 - 00;32;01;27
Fabiola Lara
And you're like a really good example of that, right? Like going from printmaking to more apparel designs and I'm going to say like surface design. And then, you know, going into product design management that makes like it doesn't seem like an obvious move when you just like see the titles plainly, right? You're like, How did that happen? But when you see like the kind of work that you were doing at each place, it really like becomes obvious how you set yourself up for success.
00;32;02;18 - 00;32;28;10
Fabiola Lara
And now I can see it so clearly in the kind of work that you do today because you have your own style, but at the same time you are you still have this knowledge of like patterns and colors and design and it really kind of all comes together. So I just love when I see something like that because I know that when I was in school it seemed so far fetched and like so impossible to kind of see like a trend, a trajectory for yourself.
00;32;28;10 - 00;32;48;25
Fabiola Lara
So it's just so hard to see other how other people are doing it. So you've been able to work with so many other clients aside from your time at Bando. I know your client list. I'm going to namedrop here. Your client list includes Google, HBO, Target, Bando, Alberts, Chobani, which I love. Chobani, Samsung chunks. So many other things.
00;32;48;25 - 00;32;58;13
Fabiola Lara
So which one of those projects made you feel like, Wow, I made it. I am doing the thing that I always wanted to do.
00;32;58;13 - 00;33;27;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I'm not sure. I feel like every time I'm like, Oh, thank God, one more client. Like, I'm still kind of like, Oh, okay, let's see what happens next week. You know, the phone still ringing. Okay, amazing. Yeah, exactly. So I feel like, like part of, like working like just kind of there's been such different experiences and the products that have come out are so different that I feel like I'm just happy to kind of have been a part of it with each and every one of these.
00;33;27;05 - 00;33;48;00
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And there's a lot of other clients that are not like so cool and flashy, but it's just like, Oh, this was so fun. I'm so glad I got to work on this kind of a thing. So I feel like Allbirds was awesome because it was also kind of like for cause, which not a lot of like some brands kind of have that in their minds.
00;33;48;00 - 00;34;12;00
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
But I feel like Allbirds is like fully into like being carbon neutral, not even carbon negative at this point. I think so. That was really great. And then just having like so much freedom, target was like, I can't like I still get so many messages and that was so rewarding to see that and just be able to, you know, be a part of so many different people's lives.
00;34;12;00 - 00;34;19;00
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It kind of brings me to tears once a week, still thinking about that. So just. I don't even know so many.
00;34;19;01 - 00;34;39;16
Fabiola Lara
Okay. Okay. No, I know you have so many, so I know that this was going to be hard. But let's talk about your target collection or your collection with Target, because that's really recent and it's beautiful. And so I want to know, like, here's what I want to know from you, Daniela. How was it when they when they wrote you how was the process?
00;34;40;25 - 00;34;59;05
Fabiola Lara
Now, you already told me how it feels when people connect with you about the collection. Walk me through it. Because I think for a lot of people, including myself, this is like a dream client, especially because it's a brand that's like really beloved here in the U.S. like everyone, but they like going to target. It's like a it's like in people's everyday life.
00;34;59;12 - 00;35;19;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yes, for sure. For sure. So I like when I got the email, I was like, I don't know, this is like too good to be true. I'm not sure. And then also you just kind of never know the full scope of things, which is kind of like, what am I going to be doing? It seems like a lot.
00;35;19;05 - 00;35;47;24
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And also like every step is just like, okay, let's wait and see. Cause then it was like, please send us a quote. And I was like, Well, I'll quote you fairly, but also like, What do you want from me? There's so much to do. And then working with them was so freaking amazing. The team was so, so kind, but also just like really giving feedback on time, which sometimes people like I get there's a million things going on.
00;35;47;24 - 00;36;07;01
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I feel like one of the biggest struggles I have is people not being able to reply on time. So then everything gets kind of sidetracks or deadlines get pushed. But they were so lovely kind of giving feedback. That was really kind of relevant without it being like they were you shouting Start over again. It was just like, Oh.
00;36;07;01 - 00;36;10;07
Fabiola Lara
We're like, Yeah, but can you make it pop? And you're just like, What?
00;36;10;15 - 00;36;27;06
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, like, I don't know what that means. It was really kind of like concrete feedback and then just kind of like, so pleasant to work with to like, really. I think it's because so organized, they just have a clear idea of what they want and it's easy to kind of convey that as opposed to people that are like.
00;36;27;23 - 00;36;45;14
Fabiola Lara
Oh, so, right. Yeah, because they are a big brand and they have so many people, so, so many teams working together. It's like, I'm sure they're way more on it than other places, especially when you consider like retail timelines having to be kind of like you have to be on it, right? You can just like push it another month.
00;36;46;09 - 00;37;11;12
Fabiola Lara
I love to hear that you had a great experience working with them, but I love knowing that even when they were emailing you, you were like, What's going on? Like and like, what do you mean and what do you want from me? And you know, because I think it's so funny when you get like a big brand like this that even still every step of the way, you're kind of like, Oh, Earth is are we okay?
00;37;11;12 - 00;37;21;01
Fabiola Lara
Like, did it get did a pass? Like, is this still happening? Because there is it does feel like it can be taken from you or something until it's like out there.
00;37;21;08 - 00;37;38;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And then also like part of working on something that is very personal is at the same time like is just what they want. Because I know that they hired me to like, do a certain thing, but is it, is it going to be okay?
00;37;38;06 - 00;38;00;08
Fabiola Lara
Is it this? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like hitting the mark, especially when we're talking about a Latin Heritage Month collection, which, like we were talking about before, Latina is such it's so broad that it can be kind of intimidating to walk into this kind of project because you're like, I don't know what version of Latina you have in your mind.
00;38;00;17 - 00;38;18;15
Fabiola Lara
So can you tell me about that experience like brainstorming for them? Because that would be my biggest fear would be like, is this Latina enough for you? And I love your collection because it's patterned, it's playful, it's not necessarily super stereotypical.
00;38;19;08 - 00;38;46;26
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh yeah, for sure. I feel like they had a very clear idea of what they wanted me to do. So that was, again, really it was like, we want certain patterns. And I was like, okay, here's, you know, a bunch of different sketches. What do you kind of want to go from there? So they then I feel like it's really like the the reason my stuff is in so many different products is because it's so easy to just kind of like plug a pattern into many different things.
00;38;46;26 - 00;39;08;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I think kind of nailing that was crucial. And then I guess I never thought about like, it's just Latino enough or not because I was like, it's going to be freaking colorful because that's just like inevitable for me. Like every time I have to work with a client that's a little bit more like, like they've described themselves as more masculine or sophisticated.
00;39;08;07 - 00;39;24;14
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I'm like, okay, but we still need a little bit of pink or like you need one little pop or something. So I wasn't kind of too worried about that. I guess the part where I kind of made more decisions was kind of like, how do we like, how do I interpret what they said and make it be so cute?
00;39;24;14 - 00;39;46;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And for example, a lot of it was like there's a lot of Spanglish phrases, which I was like, I feel more comfortable with either or. I guess if it's Latin, let's do like full Spanish. But I know, for example, Jackie, who you also talked to, she did one that scene in Spanglish and it's so cool because then like different people get to buy it.
00;39;46;25 - 00;40;15;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's something that fully and Spanish resonates more with you. Then you can buy my little baby ones. And then somebody like I think her her shirt says proud them equal to that, which I'm like, That's so cool that there's these different options too. And I think part of what makes the collection so, so stunning too was that they collaborated with people that had different such different approaches to everything, approaches to their Latina that but also esthetic approaches.
00;40;15;05 - 00;40;25;06
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I think it just looks so cool. And when you walked into a target or saw it online, it just was like, wow, there's something for everyone. So I thought that was so cool.
00;40;25;06 - 00;40;43;25
Fabiola Lara
Yes. I love that you mention that because yeah. Your your patterns for them are very much you like the minute I saw them, I'm like, oh, this was a perfect this must have been the perfect collaboration for her because it's just like your work that you probably would have made even on your own, made into a collection. And it's beautiful.
00;40;43;25 - 00;41;05;03
Fabiola Lara
And I love what you say about like, yeah, having something for everyone because I think actually you and I talked about this in our DMS was like Spanglish is like a very hot topic because I think a lot of people who identify as like maybe second generation or like first generation but lived here a majority of their life feel really comfortable with Spanglish.
00;41;05;09 - 00;41;28;19
Fabiola Lara
And then there's other people who it feels really foreign too. And that's really hard, especially when you're doing something like like a Latin Heritage Month collection. I personally don't identify with Spanglish because to me, my it was like I'm either talking in Spanish with my mom or I am talking in English with everybody else. There's not really this middle ground that I've never really experienced it.
00;41;29;14 - 00;41;34;19
Fabiola Lara
And how do you feel like about Spanglish in general, not even related to this?
00;41;35;14 - 00;41;57;23
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I feel the same as you, basically. I feel like the people that speak Spanish in my life speak Spanish, and then there's everyone else kind of thing. So I do think my sister and I kind of like go back and forth and it's strange cause she doesn't live here. She lives in Montreal. That's mostly French speaking, but I think it's because it's like our little thing.
00;41;57;23 - 00;42;26;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And now she wants to be including my husband, who doesn't speak Spanish, but every other person that I like. I don't have a lot of contact with people that are kind of like interwoven. It's kind of either or. So I have friends who only speak English, like the majority of my friends here only speak English. And then I have friends that are like just people from other parts of Latin America that just feel really comfortable in Spanish.
00;42;26;20 - 00;42;42;18
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I haven't had a chance to kind of like have it be a part of my life as much so to me, I'm just like, no, either or. But I understand. Like I have a lot of, for example, Chicano friends and they're kind of like, no, it's like you kind of wave back and forth and that's the way it is.
00;42;42;18 - 00;43;05;26
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And that's like kind of like comfortable or like familiar. But for me, it just it would feel really forced. That's that's kind of like what I gather from it. So when I get briefed, I'm like, I guess I'll just do the phrase in Spanish because it, it doesn't feel natural to me. But I also think that in other households it just is like, yeah, like we, we grew up kind of like half and half.
00;43;05;27 - 00;43;17;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I didn't grow up half one half. I grew up like speaking Spanish my whole life and then kind of like having to go to school or like hanging out with my friends in English. There wasn't like ever a middle point.
00;43;18;07 - 00;43;39;18
Fabiola Lara
Yes, yes. I think that's like a really kind of part of of the culture because yeah, I feel the same. But I grew up here. It's just that in my little bubble in my house, it was like Spanish only, you know, almost like like a bunch of the few friends that I do have that speak both. I do go in and out of it, but it but it would feel weird to write in it.
00;43;40;08 - 00;44;03;25
Fabiola Lara
I wouldn't feel like like myself. So I think that's fascinating. And I love knowing that there's just like different ranges and I definitely don't shame on either one because both have their both have their place and both of them are relevant to like what's going on today, right? To say like no, like no to Spanglish is crazy because in this world that we're in, it's like very much here to stay.
00;44;04;04 - 00;44;27;07
Fabiola Lara
I just love like getting into the isn't out of it's because I do think that sometimes brands tend to do that as like a like a lazy way to do it right like they'll be like, you know, it's September 15th or act yes yes September 15th. And they'll be like, oh la. You know, for the first time ever, you're like, What's happening?
00;44;27;28 - 00;44;54;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, exactly. Like you can't do it. Like, I just don't want it to feel performative. I guess that's what it comes down to. So yeah, anything that just kind of becomes performative like, Yeah, I don't really want direct TV talking in Spanish all of a sudden just for like the little bit of time. I do want like other things about it that are wonderful, but yeah, just, just as long as it feels like genuine to you, then yeah, for sure.
00;44;54;05 - 00;45;13;13
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Like I said, like maybe the t shirt I made for Target doesn't connect to many people as the other one, but that's why it's so cool to have both of them because then you can have your pick, you know? So yeah, as long as I feel like that just kind of should apply to anything like brands, it's hard because you want to be relevant.
00;45;13;13 - 00;45;37;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Like, I've worked at a brand, I know you're trying and I know there's people trying and like wanting to be relevant and cool and like getting to like the ladies means you can be a part of it and all of that. But at the same time, sometimes there's just a thin line between being too performative and like trying too hard to be, like, funny and cute when it's like, oh, it doesn't feel as cool as like when my buddy did or something.
00;45;37;25 - 00;45;58;08
Fabiola Lara
So right. Right. I mean, I think that's what's cool about the target collection is that they tapped into people and to creatives who generally who genuinely have a connection to club versus when a brand kind of on their own decides to do like use a Spanish word in the campaign, you know, and it's like, why? What's going on?
00;45;58;08 - 00;46;03;03
Fabiola Lara
But something that is funny to me, which I'm like, let's talk about it.
00;46;03;03 - 00;46;04;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Let's talk about it is.
00;46;05;27 - 00;46;32;14
Fabiola Lara
Is the question just like during during Heritage Month, obviously, but also just in general, I think this is a good thing. The good and interesting thing is like the question of like what does being Latina mean to you? And I'm sure not only you and I, but any other artists who are Latin acts have been faced with this question during the Heritage Month and it always feels very broad and weird.
00;46;34;00 - 00;46;37;16
Fabiola Lara
So why does that question feel confusing to you?
00;46;39;07 - 00;46;56;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Well, I think because there's so many ways you can be a Latin person. And I at the same time, I was born this way. It's like I identify as a female. I've always thought of myself as that all of a sudden, like it would be the same as asking me like, So how does it feel being a woman?
00;46;56;20 - 00;47;17;27
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I guess that the only way I've ever known how to feel in a way, you know? So I think it gets a little bit hard to answer that one. It's like, well, that's my whole identity. I don't know what else to say other than being Latin is very cool and fun and you get to like again, be part of different cultures.
00;47;17;27 - 00;47;43;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I like I'm very kind of like into the same things. My husband who was never into Latin culture, was for a long time. And now we have things in common. But at the same time I'm also very like in tune with like the culture, the language. Again, I think I have had many conversations about this and like being colonized is very different.
00;47;43;29 - 00;48;08;21
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Like being colonized in the 1500s versus like the pilgrims coming to two centuries later. It's like a very different approach to life. So you have like a lot of like religious things that are also kind of like intermixed the language, a similar approach to cuisine. So I think that's kind of like what people have in common. But at the same time, I'm like, it's who I am like.
00;48;08;27 - 00;48;39;02
Fabiola Lara
And it's so different for everyone that answering a question like that just feels, yeah, just way too broad and a way to like, I don't know what kind of answer you want because my answer is just like, I don't know anything else. So I guess this is just like a memo for future any, any campaign managers. They're thinking about asking this question to maybe ask it differently because it does feel very patronizing in the sense of like you want me to say, like, like I'm Latina because I love my abuela.
00;48;39;25 - 00;48;57;13
Fabiola Lara
Like, they want you to say something very like she said, boy, which is I agree. Like, you should love your abuela and you do. You can do whatever you want, but it feels like a punch line that they're waiting for. And it can be very tricky because the punch line is like your lives.
00;48;58;03 - 00;49;15;22
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah. Gosh, I think you nailed it with just saying that. It's like, well, that's part of just lies. I don't know. I feel like it's like asking someone that just kind of identifies as white, like, what do you feel about that? Do you love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday? It's like, well, maybe, maybe not, but it's okay.
00;49;15;22 - 00;49;37;29
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
You know, like also it's also keto lot of Thanksgiving if you come from any other part of the world and they'll like delight on some pumpkin pie and cornbread or something, you know. So I think it's just kind of like I want to bring people into the conversation when I talk about it, but at the same time, like, it's just I don't want to be just identified as sad.
00;49;37;29 - 00;49;47;13
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I am a person and I have a lot of different interests and different like my background enriches that. But at the same time, it's not just like all of all that I am.
00;49;48;10 - 00;50;10;26
Fabiola Lara
Yes. And I think during like Latin Heritage Month, sometimes there's a fine line between being empowered and being tokenized. And it's very confusing throughout the month because you're like, wait, are you using me or am I empowered? And it's and this goes for like everything ever. It's not just this is not about any certain brand. It's just in general.
00;50;10;26 - 00;50;32;18
Fabiola Lara
I feel like during during that that month, it can always be a little confusing because of the fine line that we're balancing. And, and I know like you and I feel very much on the side of like, I don't want to be tokenized. This is just who I am and I want to I want to talk about it, but I don't wanna be narrowly defined by it necessarily because like you said, you can like Thanksgiving still.
00;50;33;00 - 00;51;02;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, for sure. Yeah. I think it's also it's hard to talk about it because it's so recent, but like up until two years ago, this wasn't really a thing. But the way I see it too, maybe it's kind of like we should always be celebrating this shame, as we should always be celebrating pride. And like, pride also has a lot of performative things, or like a lot of people kind of, yeah, all the brands all of a sudden have rainbow flags and want to work with people.
00;51;02;07 - 00;51;25;29
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And it's kind of tricky now because it's so recent. But what I kind of take comfort with is that it maybe should just be part of our lives, just kind of like how old they we were all about those 4th of July T-shirts every year. I would love to see something that kind of like speaks to Latin culture or speaks to pride or Juneteenth or something like.
00;51;25;29 - 00;51;49;01
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's just a shame that, like, it feels so kind of like patronizing now. But at the same time, if we kind of keep at it, it just becomes the norm, just like the way you would celebrate any other holiday. And I think these kind moments in different cultures do merit the celebration. So it's a little bit of a of a weird ground to walk on now, but I hope it just becomes like the norm.
00;51;49;01 - 00;51;52;12
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And you always kind of like get to showcase different cultures.
00;51;53;06 - 00;52;20;09
Fabiola Lara
Getting back to your work because we got a little deviated there. You do like create a lot of patterns and illustrations. Do you prefer making patterns or like like designing it? Illustrating patterns or illustrating like editorial illustrations? Because when I look at your work, they're very woven together. But at the same time there are like two different types of illustration work that you're putting out there.
00;52;20;09 - 00;52;21;21
Fabiola Lara
So I'm just curious if you have a preference.
00;52;22;07 - 00;52;44;03
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
No, not really. I guess it just depends on the project and if it's right for me or not, I feel like sometimes, maybe a few years ago I would just take any job, even though I knew starting off that like the client and I were not on the same page and I kind of just wanted to kind of learn as much as I could and prove to myself I could do it and be just get anything.
00;52;44;14 - 00;53;03;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So there would be a struggle with like, you want me to do, like, I don't know, like a graffiti print or something. It's like, not something I'm good at or like I could do it. It's just not going to be enjoyable. So as long as the client kind of comes to me with, like, something in mind that I'm good at, I enjoy both of them equally.
00;53;03;25 - 00;53;25;23
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It just kind of makes sense to, to have it be something that I'm already good at as opposed to like making me do. Like, for example, menswear is really kind of like more muted and more serious in a way. And like lots of when I used to work in apparently was a lot of stripes and like plaid, I don't really kind of want to do a bunch of that.
00;53;26;01 - 00;53;37;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I think it just depends on like if the client comes to me with an idea of like, we love this illustration or this pattern, can you make something that's an update. That's when it kind of like it's just fun either way.
00;53;38;10 - 00;53;47;26
Fabiola Lara
Nice, nice. Yeah. I mean, whenever a client come see you with a brief that you're like, Did you even look at my portfolio? That never feels good. So I totally get what you mean there.
00;53;48;19 - 00;54;06;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And it's hard when you're a little baby and just want to do it. But at the same time, I feel like if there is any advice that somebody might need younger, it's like just kind of stick to what you're good at. It will be so much better. You'll be so much happier. And again, I think the outcome will be so much better to.
00;54;06;07 - 00;54;28;07
Fabiola Lara
Yeah, I think you're so right. Especially when you're just starting off. You do think you have to know everything, but you have to be able to do everything. And it's like, no, the more you look at it, the more like specific every artist gets in their career, the more they just like, do one thing really well. But it is hard in the beginning because you're just trying to balance and make a living at the same time and what software or tools you use to create your patterns.
00;54;28;25 - 00;54;32;29
Fabiola Lara
I know iPad listeners just want to know a little bit more like technical stuff.
00;54;33;13 - 00;54;58;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, I mostly draw on procreate most of what I do and then I clean it up, make it be the thing it is on Illustrator. So sometimes I know a lot of publications prefer kind of JPEGs, so it doesn't really matter. But then most, most of the time when you're using things for products or you're going to print them higher raster something than Illustrator.
00;54;58;05 - 00;55;13;16
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I feel like those are kind of my go to just procreate. Sometimes I do kind of like hand sketching initially and then clean it up and then Illustrator is kind of like what I like to work with for the final result.
00;55;14;05 - 00;55;22;07
Fabiola Lara
Interesting. And do you use Illustrator or with an iPad or with a Wakeham or with anything in specific? Are you just using your mouse? I know some people do that.
00;55;22;10 - 00;55;26;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I've worked with I like them for the past like 12 years. Yeah.
00;55;26;08 - 00;55;40;09
Fabiola Lara
Oh, my gosh. I love to hear that because a lot of people are like, oh, I need I need the iPad. And obviously the app has really good with procreate and with adobe fresco and whatever. But you don't have to if you have a webcam, you can still get by. So, you know, that's good to know.
00;55;40;09 - 00;56;04;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Well, it's hard. I feel like I felt even before the iPad days, I would do everything by hand because the work has like a very particular way of working, I guess. So I don't really like drawing like I don't think I can ever do a project just with the Wakeham, but at the same time I love having my little set up as always been the welcome and the mouse next to it too.
00;56;04;06 - 00;56;25;29
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I kind of rely on both of them. But initially, like I think what's so great about the iPad is that it almost feels like a sketchbook and the pen with the different brushes you can kind of like manipulate it however you want, but then the work is just kind of like for the finishing touches, and it's just a little bit easier for me to draw things as opposed to working just with a mouse.
00;56;25;29 - 00;56;29;24
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Or some people work with a trackpad too, which that seems even harder for me.
00;56;30;18 - 00;56;40;18
Fabiola Lara
Got it. Ooh, I, I just love, like, being a nerd and, like, I want to know how everyone's doing stuff so I can. So I can figure out, like, what should I add? Or What should I take away, you know? Oh, I love.
00;56;40;18 - 00;56;41;07
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So, yeah.
00;56;42;13 - 00;57;07;26
Fabiola Lara
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting into surface pattern or textile design? I don't know. Which word is it? I don't even know. Like someone who wants to get started selling patterns but has never done it before. Like I've made patterns before. I have no idea that I could sell them until recently. So do you have any tips for someone who's looking to get into this, having not had studio experience or that kind of thing?
00;57;08;27 - 00;57;40;23
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, I think the hardest part with that is making sure that your work is commercial enough. If you want to get into that kind of industry, you have to make sure that it's stuff that you're seeing out there and it's not like, Oh, I thought of this you, me, market. I like it's more just kind of like if you want to make a career out of it, you have to be aware of like what's going on in the world of like big fashion, big interiors, because that's kind of like what's going to make make it be profitable for you.
00;57;40;23 - 00;58;03;06
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So it's a little bit hard if you want to do something that's like super specific, but if you're really good at drawing florals are really good at like more kind of like commercial illustration, then it's just kind of like a great tool to keep, you know, just kind of like selling your art and like making tons of art because you will need to make so many different iterations.
00;58;03;06 - 00;58;28;05
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So if that's something that is kind of fun, then that's great. If you want to do something that's really unique and niche, then maybe I wouldn't recommend this as much. I feel like that's harder. Like you don't really see a lot of like specific little prints are in the world. If you think about it, you, you kind of see like florals every season or just kind of like things that are just kind of like, yeah, like commercial and.
00;58;28;19 - 00;58;29;06
Fabiola Lara
That kind of stuff.
00;58;29;06 - 00;58;30;09
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, exactly.
00;58;30;09 - 00;58;58;28
Fabiola Lara
Interesting. Yeah. I think the the collections that I've seen with artists have always been like that. Artists work as a pattern and but, but it's always an artist that kind of already works either abstract lately or has like, yeah, I guess abstract style. That can be a style that can be abstracted because otherwise it might not work. Or like find a towel or something if it's like very not repeatable or like it's repeatable, but it's not because I'm like, great.
00;58;59;21 - 00;59;27;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
And like, if you think about the cool, like you collaborated with an artist and they're more kind of like draw people or something like that. You can have one off versions of that, but like there's not like unless it's like new works or something, which is a really fun brand, a lot of the time you can have one off in a collection that's that, and then the rest just have to be more kind of commercial things that you kind of expect the apparel world to have got it.
00;59;27;28 - 00;59;35;12
Fabiola Lara
And if there was one brand that you could create a pattern, like what brand would be your dream to collaborate with?
00;59;36;07 - 00;59;38;08
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh my God, I have so many.
00;59;40;01 - 00;59;42;08
Fabiola Lara
Top number one pretend they're listening right now.
00;59;43;01 - 01;00;01;15
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I really like this place called Number six store. I feel like all this stuff they come out with is always so beautiful. They're really well known for their shoes and little clogs, but when they make clothes, they're always stunning. So maybe that. But also, like anyone who is interested in, like, my style, please, I'll need to.
01;00;02;05 - 01;00;08;10
Fabiola Lara
Yes, I feel like I'm manifesting this for both of us, but I feel like your work could really work with Bag Girl.
01;00;08;26 - 01;00;11;21
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, I love. I mean, everything they do is so stunning.
01;00;11;27 - 01;00;15;13
Fabiola Lara
They use a ton of really colorful patterns, so I'm like, oh.
01;00;15;25 - 01;00;18;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Cool, unique things too. They're amazing.
01;00;19;01 - 01;00;29;04
Fabiola Lara
Yeah, I could see. I could see them working for you. Okay, last couple of questions here. Daniela am, what's your favorite Colombian saying if you had one?
01;00;29;13 - 01;00;30;25
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Oh, my God. There's so many.
01;00;31;08 - 01;00;33;05
Fabiola Lara
I know. I know. It's kind of a hard question.
01;00;33;17 - 01;00;57;20
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Well, okay. I will say it's not a saying, but we use the word charity, which is cool, I guess, all the time. And I feel like when I when I speak to people of other countries, I'm like I try to be mindful of like maybe they won't understand this or like this has a double entendre. I'm in another country, but I'm like, I'm never getting rid of my charity.
01;00;57;23 - 01;01;08;17
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
So I feel like maybe not a shame, but just kind of like that's such a and Venezuelans have it too in other countries. But like, we just like everything is charity for us.
01;01;08;17 - 01;01;12;11
Fabiola Lara
So it's an iconic Colombian word and yeah, tabular. Okay.
01;01;12;12 - 01;01;12;29
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, for sure.
01;01;13;22 - 01;01;16;10
Fabiola Lara
And then if you have to pick one favorite Colombian food.
01;01;16;24 - 01;01;20;24
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Um, one, I guess I.
01;01;20;26 - 01;01;34;05
Fabiola Lara
But I despise always. Oh, I missed that so much. And then what's one thing from Colombia like cultural? Oh, it can be fluid, but I was thinking more cultural that you wish was more common in the U.S..
01;01;35;08 - 01;01;58;10
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Yeah, there's a lot. I guess we just have like a little bit of a stronger feeling of community. Sometimes American society can feel a little bit like individualistic, and it's like, Well, let's kind of think about this. If we're all in it together, then maybe the outcome will be better for all of us. And sometimes I do miss that.
01;01;58;18 - 01;02;07;28
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
I'm not saying that Colombia is a perfect country. It's not it's going through a lot. But I feel like there's just like less of an individualistic culture. So I do miss that.
01;02;08;24 - 01;02;26;01
Fabiola Lara
Yeah, for sure. I know here it's very individualistic, for better and for worse. Well, Daniela, that's all I wanted to ask you. Thank you so much for giving me your time, for giving me your wisdom, sharing so much about your career. Thank you. And that's all.
01;02;26;07 - 01;02;37;23
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
It's. Oh, my God. Well, thank you so much. This was so fun. I was looking forward to talking to you. I feel like again, I know you just, like, sit here and talk more likely to get some coffee now, so thank you.
01;02;38;05 - 01;03;09;05
Fabiola Lara
That would be amazing. All right, everyone, that's all I have for you today. That was today's amazing conversation with Daniella Jordan Davis is a creative director and illustrator, currently based in Los Angeles. Be sure to follow her work on Instagram at Lea Rita's or click the link in the show notes. I'm going to leave all her links down below, so be sure to check out her work now before you go before you x out of this episode, I need to remind you to subscribe to the show if you like this episode.
01;03;09;05 - 01;03;30;02
Fabiola Lara
So subscribing is free and something you can do to really help out the show to support the show. Now, if you want to connect with other Latin artists in our drawers and Spanish community, then head on over to my patriot on so you can join our Discord Channel and get extended episodes of this episode. So that's all I have for you — Hasta la proxima amigos.
01;03;30;09 - 01;03;41;15
Fabiola Lara
Nos vemos el proximo martes, muchas gracias por escuchar y nada... chao!