My name is Ira Maxwell, and I am from Houston, Texas. I began my art education journey at a fine arts college by the name of New World School of Art located in Miami, Florida. Drawing and painting has been the foundation of my ability to understand design. I later transferred to The University of Art in Philadelphia, where I started my studies in graphic design. The Art Institute of Philadelphia is where I earned my associate degree in graphic and media design. I have continued my education at Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and media arts with classes in UI interface design.
My passion for art has always been a part of my life. My passion for communicating though my ideas and creativity is a huge part of who I am. I believe that you can change the world through art and design, because art brings people together whether it is movies, music, visual design, theater and so on. Art is all around us in every direction that we turn. Design is the format in which the world moves in. Designers, such as I, create the world that everyone else lives in. As creative people we inform, educate, entertain, and give the world the possibility to dream.
As a creative professional, I see the world in an interpersonal way. Some of my favorite movies are films that deal with relationships between people and how problems are solved. In this process of understanding, there are some important assets that I process which are communication, conflict resolution, honesty, empathy, patience, and listening. These skills are great when dealing with co-workers and the stakeholders. Other skills that work well in the workplace would be teamwork, adaptability, work ethic, collaboration, flexibility, and time management. Being a dependable individual, you must have the ability to work well with others, which means you need to be flexible with your ideas and can work as a team. Meeting deadlines is a huge part of getting projects done. Time management, attention to detail, and being resourceful when assisting team members in meeting the demands of stakeholders and deadlines makes everyone look like “rock stars.”
My career goals are to expand my knowledge of design by continuing my education to include a master’s degree. Expanding my knowledge and experience also includes being a part of an organization that can take the talent I have to the next level. I am comfortable with stepping outside my comfort zone, allowing myself to grow in all directions and not limiting myself to one principle of design. I believe that expanding your perspective and learning from your peers is the best experience you can gain. Exploring the possibilities invites great insight into a never-ending journey. Outside of working for an organization, I would like to continue to expand my personal brand.
Graphic Designer 