Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Coco.
Luke, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was little, I always have been surrounded by creative and inspiring people, whether that would be at home or school, I have always been fascinated by them. The idea of expressing emotions through all sorts of different mediums, the idea has always been thrilling to me. Throughout the years more and more creative passion started rubbing off of me and before you knew it, my hands were dirty with clay, churning out clay pots in art class at speeds which the teacher had to stop me so there would be enough for the class.
High school, Westminster Christian Academy, is where my passion really started to take off thanks to the help of the teachers that were there to support me. I soon realized though that in order to get a job that I truly wanted, I would have to start my portfolio a bit sooner than others, to show my understanding and knowledge of the craft. Because I did so, I was able to become a sports photographer for Ultimate Lacrosse and help start up a website building LLC with my friend. Those were truly great experiences as I was able to meet new people that I would have never done so if I didn’t start when I did.
Now, I am furthering my academic studies at Grand Canyon University, where I am studying graphic design & advertising. From the beautiful landscapes to the kind and friendly people, I hope to gain and soak in all of the thrilling experiences while I am down here in The Valley. I will keep on shooting on my camera to keep my eye keen and sharp as the environment that I am around is geographically much different than it is back at home. A lot of sun, and a lot of sand. I am starting to miss the generic oak trees back in St. Louis, although I couldn’t say the same about the ear-piercing sound of cicadas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
All great stories have obstacles that need to be overcome, the rising action if you will.
Through my story, my art, I want to prove many things, but one more particularly. One of those things being in such a competitive space to show off work is that you are never too young to make a meaningful impact. I have encountered people that have been interested in my work, but once they discovered my age, would bat their eye at me and say I’m too young to be working in the industry. This type of work is all about how in love with the craft and dedicated you are. You must be willing to learn new things while taking advice from others so you are able to constantly improve, so your work can be the best version of itself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I, like many others starting out, am doing freelance work at the moment as a student, along with working as a graphic designer at Grand Canyon University. My one huge love is doing sports graphics and branding. It gives me a chance to use my camera, along with being creative on the computer. Graphicly, the one project that I am most proud of is the one that got noticed by an official soccer team in the MLS. When Chicago Fire FC announced that they were rebranding I wanted to have my two cents thrown out there to see what I could create. I spent a good week on the project researching what the people of the club wanted in the rebrand as well as the feedback of the old logo and why it didn’t work. When I submitted the work, I wasn’t expecting anything at all. I even posted the design on their Reddit page in hopes of someone at least liking the design. And to my shocking surprise, like it they did, in twenty-four hours, the design was the number one post trending on the forum and very positive feedback. Later that week I then got an invitation from the design firm that was working with CFFC, to be a part of a round table discussion with them to share my ideas and express my thoughts on the club’s future brand.
On the photography side of things, I have gotten a couple of awards for my photos, one of them being for the “Sony World Photography Awards 2022 Youth competition” highlighted photographers, another for the May Art Gallery.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The number one thing that I would tell beginners is that your portfolio is key to getting you work. If you have to, work for free to get experience. I know it is not the most thrilling thing in the world to do, but it’s a great way to start and get connections and get work to put in the portfolio.
Contact Info:
- Email: lukecocographics@gmail.com
- Website: https://lukecoco.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukecocographics/
