Crystal Dayton a passionate artist from Toronto, Ontario. Her talents are varied with a predominant focus in Graphic Design, Illustration and painting. She has earned her diploma for The Visual and Creative Arts program at Sheridan College. She has also completed a Graphic Design course. She is inspired by photography, graffiti, and travel. Her works feature realistic abstract paintings with vivid colours and strong concepts, derivative of her time studying painting and illustration.
Recently she has designed for RE/MAX and many other businesses. She has created business cards, posters, flyers, and shirt designs in her freelance work.
Crystal is a fellow Sheridan College graduate. We connected via social media and she agreed to do an interview with me. Read on to find out more about her artistic journey and inspirations.
1. What made you want to pursue a creative career?
I decided to pursue a creative career because it is my passion and it makes me happy. When I am working on my art it doesn't even feel like I am working. It feels like I am doing something I love. Also, I really enjoy creating art for people. It makes me feel accomplished.
2. What is your typical day like?
First I check my blog, maybe make a blog post and then check my Twitter. Then I get started on my client work. If I don't have anything on the go, I usually network through social media to get some work. I continuously update my graphic design skills. I am typically working all hours of the day to get client work done.
Graphic design work by Crystal Dayton
3. Who or what inspires you?
A lot of my fellow designers and bloggers inspire me. I get a lot of amazing comments from them about my work.
4. What is your dream art project?
My dream art project would be doing branding for a charity because I know that my designs are helping them get their company known.
5. Do you think it is necessary to have a formal education in order to be an artist?
I don't think it is necessary to have a formal education to be an artist because a lot of the skills you can pick up on your own through how to videos, experimenting, and through helping clients.
6. Your work covers graphic design, photography, and painting. Do you prefer or feel more comfortable with one medium over the other?
I probably feel the most comfortable with graphic design because I am focusing my work on that area right now.
Graphic design work by Crystal Dayton
7. What has been the highlight of your career as an artist so far?
The highlight of my career would be getting featured on websites and getting more clients.
8. How do you get your clients?
I get my clients through Facebook, Twitter, Fiverr, and upwork.
9. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists/creatives?
The advice I would give is: don't give up when things get hard because it takes time to build something amazing, also, network as much as you possibly can.
10. What's next for you?
Well, currently I just got a job as a graphic designer so working and becoming better through that company and working on my business more on the side when I can.
Graphic design work by Crystal Dayton