Aden Johnson | Artist

"Learn. Think. Make."

Hi! My name is Aden Johnson and I am a California based graphic designer. I have been honing my skills in abstract expressionism for the past several years while also paying close attention to modern design trends. Some of the things I constantly look to for inspiration include nature, architecture, music, as well as other artists. With an appreciation for detail I make sure all elements that I create work together harmoniously. I was formally trained in Visual and Fine Arts at William Jessup University with a concentration of graphic design. Several of my graphic design pieces won awards at the bi-annual William Jessup Art Show including “Brother Bear" which received Best in Show in 2020.

By practice I’m a graphic designer meaning I am proficient and confident in programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom and InDesign. Stylistically on the other hand I have a natural soft spot for mediums such as paint, collage, sculpture, and abstract expressionism. I try to incorporate and experiment with these different mediums on a regular basis and this is one of the ways I remain constantly inspired in my work.
When trying to identify my unique style and artistic voice one of the places I look is to the past. Whether that be via history or simply old technology this is often a starting point for much of my work. I apply this in my artistic practice often choosing colors and textures that create a look and feeling of texture even in a digital space. This concept of texture is something that I have been interested in since I was young and I feel that being able to apply multiple unique, sometimes not even related, textures to a single piece of artwork has become something unique and distinctly my own. I also love to experiment with colors often scanning and applying specific physical elements to my piece simply to modify color. By layering, coloring, editing and blending I create one of kind images with mystical qualities.

Another part of my artistic voice emerges from the generation I was born in. Being born in 1998 puts me right on the verge of being a digital native but it also means I remember what it was like before technology took over. The unique perspective of living between these two worlds is one of the reasons I enjoy using so many physical elements in my graphic design work. I remember when all televisions had large unavoidable grain and static so why not show that? I love the gritty nature of film photography, the raw sound of record vinyls and the variety of paper textures of posters, magazines and newspapers. I combine these raw textures to create something entirely new, building the complexity of the image with a layering of unexpected raw patterns. It is only through these unique combinations of mediums that my results can be achieved.

Another part of my artistic voice arises from my integration of the continual evolution of technology. I appreciate old and new technology alike. I collect vintage film cameras, projectors and monitors as well as enjoy digital cameras, artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The most enjoyable parts of technology for me are the constant experimentation and evolution. The more that continues the more ways art evolves. One of the ways recently I have been expanding my creative process is through the implementation of new technology such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. This technique is so cutting edge, and the way the machine works is so complex, the implications for art applications is incomprehensible. This is one of the most exciting parts of design. New tools are constantly emerging that not only radicalize the way design is done but also the opportunities available to design. The ever evolving nature of graphic design is something that some might find nerve-racking but it actually energizes me. It is incredibly unique to operate in a field which is constantly changing and evolving. It gives designers endless opportunities to creatively problem solve in new and improved ways.

On my artistic journey I have taken classes, read books, watched videos, and learned from so many awesome artists. This journey has not only exposed me to new techniques but also new mediums and ways to creatively problem solve. I must now ultimately decide what information to hold onto, what information to consolidate, what ideas of my own to implement, and let everything else go. My creativity should always reflect my individual authentic voice and the things I love. To be successful I must continually experiment and grow but embrace every step of this long process. I must focus on my goals and stay intentional in my overall vision and voice.