Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Ward.
Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since a kid I’ve always been into drawing and being creative. As a teenager, I started skateboarding and with amplified my creativity even more as well as starting my passion for shoes. Also inspired by watching anime growing up, I always had story ideas for comic books but, I knew I couldn’t get myself to do it. Eventually with more inspiration from friends and other artists, I decided to write and illustrate my first graphic novel called, “Vampiress of a Troubled Hood”. I started back book writing but, my main focus is footwear design followed by creative designing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of my biggest struggles was when I left to go school in Milwaukee for Industrial Design. I love the whole experience, my colleagues, the downtown scenery, all of it. But, I was incredibly broke and barely ate. The worse part was my roommates decided to move back home after the school year so I was struggling to find a place, and a job on top of already being incredibly in debt. This was 2019 at start to the COVID emergence. So I pretty much had to dropout, which led me to a crazy depression. I’m thankful I made it out and pushed through. What I’m struggling with now is trying to get my foot into the footwear industry, but I know I’ll get in there soon.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Designer, Author, Illustrator and Creative Director. I design everything from graphics tees, posters and music covers to shoes and skateboards. I write and illustrate my own published books that people been enjoying. I work with photographers, models, other designers and more with giving/elevating creative ideas to them to make to projects more impactful and resonate to the consumers better. I would love to say I’m known for my shoe designs but, right now I’m probably more known for my books. I think what makes me different is what I pull my inspiration from as I always try to mix skateboarding culture, powerful storytelling and my love for art into every project I set out to do and I believe it shows everytime.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to support me is buying my book. If people want to work with me they can DM me on instagram (@kriscrxss) and we can pick each other’s brains on creating something dope. I’m working on a few collabs as we speak. So I’m always down to collab, especially with local artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Vampiressth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kriscrxss?igsh=NXBnb2dmdnRzcXc0&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.behance.net/kriscross
