Beginnings

I always try to keep things in perspective. Although I have a lot more to accomplish of this journey of mine, I never forget how unlikely it is that I am on it in the first place. I grew up around a lot of neighborhood kids that were talented in many different ways. Eventually, most of us were consumed by our circumstances, growth stunted by the obstacles in our path. It wasn’t all bad but I know several incredibly gifted individuals that never realized their potential for one reason or another. That was almost my story as well, but I was able to navigate the barriers placed before me. And once I saw a way forward I never looked back.

My creative origin story begins in the year 2000. I had gotten a job at Kinko’s Beverly Hills, which enabled me to move out of my moms house into an apartment of my own. It was a great place for me to work and I immediately began to learn the basics of print production, which was still extremely important at the time. I started at the bottom as a basic worker but it wasn’t long before I was shadowing the production manager, soaking up the details of how to use Photoshop, Quark Express and Illustrator, output proofs, and color match using the Xerox Fiery system. I learned about different paper stocks and all their advantages/disadvantages when combined with different printers and color copiers. I also dove into the finishing process, mastering the cutter and binding equipment. As someone who dreamed of working in design for a living, having all of these newfound resources at my disposal was invaluable. It wasn’t long before I was running the print production myself and I started printing my own stickers, business cards, and of course, zines.

Back then, I went by the name San, a holdover from my graffiti days. I began printing all sorts of booklets and stickers after work, refining my process with each iteration. With the ability to design something the night before, print and finish it myself at work, and make any adjustments needed in a short amount of time, my skills advanced very quickly. Soon I had my first freelance clients, customers who had gotten to know me as an employee and hired me for small jobs under the table. I made a little of everything back then: CD covers, presentations, logos, ads for newspapers, etc. Although many aspects of working in a copy center really sucked, I came to know every aspect of the print production cycle like the back of my hand. Designing and printing became just another medium for me to express myself in, an approach that continues to be a cornerstone of my practice 20 years later.

After leaving Kinko’s, I continued working and returned to school. I went to Los Angeles Community College (LACC) for a couple of years and eventually transferred to and graduated from Cal State University Los Angeles (CSULA) as a design major. It was here that I picked up an interest in web design, which allowed me to both expand my freelance business and crucially, to design my own portfolio websites (something I still do today). I also was able to take graduate level photography classes, which allowed me to use the color film darkroom for the entire time I attended, helping me to establish myself as a serious photographer. Like my time at Kinko’s, I acquired skills during this period that were critical parts of my continued creative growth.

Two decades of learning my craft in a few pretty unconventional ways has lead me to where I am today. I started Nonstndrd Creative in my last year at Cal State and it has changed quite a bit in the time since. These days I use it as an umbrella for all of my creative endeavors that intersect with design, from my illustration projects for NPR/KCRW to the Library Zine that I created for the Los Angeles Public Library and my Archival Recordings documentary photography project. You can also find a selection of my current zines for sale at my online store.

Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin
www.nonstndrd.com