A passion project launched in college has grown into a full-fledged design and printing firm serving clients from small startups to government agencies. Dyshann Anderson, founder of in Hartford, says his early interest in publishing sparked a career that now spans more than two decades.
鈥淚 wanted to create a publication, and I was heading into college, so I made it my business to learn as much as possible about graphic arts,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淥ffering brand design, publication design, web design and then commercial print was my ideal way of presenting my skill set and making an income for myself. But this personal need for sharing important information in my community was always there.鈥�
Networking as a growth engine
For Anderson, winning new clients starts with showing up 鈥� even when he鈥檇 prefer to work quietly behind the scenes.
鈥淏eing involved in the community is something that you have to do,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenge for me, because I just like being in the background and handling things that way 鈥� but you鈥檝e got to spend a little time on your PR.鈥�
Advice for aspiring artists
To students unsure how to turn an artistic eye into a paycheck, Anderson鈥檚 advice is direct: graphic arts is a viable career path 鈥� if you鈥檙e willing to stand out.
鈥�,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 plenty of money out there for graphic artists. You have to learn how to separate yourself from the rest of the market. You鈥檙e definitely going to need to know the ways of an entrepreneur.鈥�
Learning the business side
Anderson didn鈥檛 build Aquastone on creativity alone. He sought out resources from the , and professional organizations like .
鈥淢y information comes from a lot of different places. I do a ton of research,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭oday it鈥檚 going to be a lot easier on young entrepreneurs. Because of AI, the information is out there. It鈥檚 easy to create a business plan or a strategy using AI and getting your work out there. But you鈥檝e got to start from somewhere.鈥�
Anderson recommends workshops in marketing and finance as a foundation, then building from there.
Embracing AI鈥檚 potential
While some in the design field view , Anderson takes the opposite stance.
鈥淎I is only as good as the person using it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you have extensive knowledge of marketing and design, you get exactly what you want.鈥�
