My name is Leandro Escobar, and I am based in Tacoma, Washington. Graphic design has been more than a craft; it has been a journey. The last year and a half have shaped my perspective, discipline, and creative instincts. My passion was sparked over two decades ago when I first encountered Adobe Photoshop in my high school’s yearbook club. Before the convenience of modern tutorials on YouTube university, I had to immerse myself in self-guided learning, refining my skills through persistence and curiosity.

In my first years of developing my style and personal taste, I found artists and styles I gravitated towards. I would reverse engineer some of my favorite pieces and recreate them in my version. In the late 2000s, I was particularly drawn to specific techniques and dramatic flares that align with my emerging perspectives. There was a lot of lens bleed, paint splashes, and other random flourishes added to seemingly mundane images for artistic flair. As I matured, so did my style. I would tone down the extras and learn more about realistic photo editing.

Completing my Bachelor's in Graphic Design strengthens this journey, challenging me beyond technical proficiency. My time at Upper Iowa University has sharpened my critical thinking, honed my problem-solving, and expanded my mindset rooted in both analytics and empathy. The cycle of creation, critique, and final touches taught me resilience and appreciation for feedback as a tool for refinement rather than rejection and detaching ego from the creative process.

Beyond refining my understanding of visual communication, I developed the ability to translate complex concepts into compelling narratives, both visually and verbally. Meeting demanding deadlines while balancing multiple projects strengthened my discipline, time management, and perseverance, which have enhanced my ability to collaborate and execute designs effectively.

This journey has equipped me with a portfolio and resilience, adaptability, refined communication, and unwavering creative confidence. I feel empowered as a new designer who understands that artistry is a balance of precision, intention, and vision.