Tell me about yourself.

I am 26 originally from Thibodaux La. I came to New Orleans in 2000 to go to UNO and I feel in love with this place. Right before the storm I transferred to Nicholls State where I graduated in graphic design and photography (the two loves of my life) and I recently made my way back to New Orleans. Isoism, pronounced eye-so-iz-um, was born out of my love for the power of t-shirts and my need to work creatively. The name means to live by a doctrine of equality…saying that all people have the same rights to love, happiness, success, comfort, truth…all that jazz.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Five years from now I see Isoism everywhere :). My online store will be fully operational offering totes, hats, buckles, belts, books, mags, and any other fly little item I can concoct. I will have a store front on a street like Magazine and maybe one somewhere else like Chicago or the ATL. In addition to this I will be running Isoism Studios, a fully functional graphic design and photography studio. I want to supply amazingly creative people with jobs they will love to come to and feel proud to work hard for. Actually I want to be in this place in about three years.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My main inspiration comes from typography, old school music posters, graffiti, street art, music, nature, propaganda, human nature, art, politics, sex, love, words, and just anything that I feel is real and true to life.

What are your short term and long term design goals?

I would have to say my short and long term design goals are much the same. They are to keep working and growing no matter what. I want to grow stronger as a designer everyday and to strive to find new ways to be inventive. I would love to contribute something worth while to my field.

Are there any special projects you’re currently working on?

Right now I am working on a project that is not fashion related but is very much design related. It is a book documenting the street art of New Orleans and many of the surrounding cities and towns.

What makes your designs different? What is unusual?

My designs are done not for their surface appeal alone but for the impact they may have. I am a strong believer that t-shirts are a powerful art medium because not only do people read them but they go out of their way to read them. They want to know what that shirt said and they digest those messages. This is a strong part of what makes my designs different and my messages effective.

Why do you think someone would like to purchase your designs?

My brand is all about positivity, growth and change. It’s about impacting the world around you, even if it’s just a little and it’s also about art. These are concepts that appeal to many and that many are the ones my shirts, my brand is meant for. Isoism is an outward expression of who my consumer base is as people.

What elements are critical to the success of your designs?

One of the most important elements present in my designs is humor. No one wants to be preached to are feel attacked so it is important to me that the messages my shirts carry come across with a tinge of humor.

What age group is your designs aimed at?

18-30

Being a designer in New Orleans, how important is the culture of this city in influencing your designs?

New Orleans is a rich city with a very rich history, both good and bad, and this is something I want to incorporate into future designs. I am working on my next set of designs and some of my designs will play into the city’s past and present. New Orleans just has this special thing about it that can’t be ignored and it is impossible, at least for me, not to be influenced by this city.

Check out Summer and Isoism: www.isoism.com