Posted on Jun 20, 2022
This Kansas City- and MU-trained artist carves out room for Black culture in graphic design
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With a revolutionary deck of cards and new designs, the Kansas City-raised designer focuses on bringing culture into her passion projects.
As a young, Black graphic designer on the rise, Kearra Johnson wants to bring more culture into her industry.
The 23-year-old started learning graphic design as a sophomore at the Paseo Academy of Design and Performing Arts. She’d studied other forms of visual art, but graphic design just clicked for her.
“It made sense, because I always had a love for games, computers, technology and art at the same time,” Johnson said. “The possibilities within it are so vast.”
It intrigued her so much that she started staying after school to improve her design skills. Eventually, she went to the University of Missouri to study graphic design — using it as a way to connect with people and share her art.
As a young, Black graphic designer on the rise, Kearra Johnson wants to bring more culture into her industry.
The 23-year-old started learning graphic design as a sophomore at the Paseo Academy of Design and Performing Arts. She’d studied other forms of visual art, but graphic design just clicked for her.
“It made sense, because I always had a love for games, computers, technology and art at the same time,” Johnson said. “The possibilities within it are so vast.”
It intrigued her so much that she started staying after school to improve her design skills. Eventually, she went to the University of Missouri to study graphic design — using it as a way to connect with people and share her art.
This Kansas City- and MU-trained artist carves out room for Black culture in graphic design
Posted from kcur.org
Kansas City
Art
Culture
Design
University of Missouri
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Johnson has faced some discrimination in her field as a Black woman, but she says she’s mostly felt welcome. In tough times, she reassures herself by taking pride in her identity.
“At the end of the day, if you do your best and then own your identity, I feel like you can kind of only do great,” said Johnson.
Johnson is already creating new designs and products to help her and others own their identity. She’s revamping her merchandise line and released a mug that says “Dope, Black, and Favored.”
Johnson recently moved to Denver to work with a production company called Fresh Face Media. She’s on a mission to add to the Mile High City’s creative scene. She says it’s nothing like Kansas City.
“Kansas city is smaller, but it has a more abundant and just out-there creative scene for Black people,” Johnson said. “So I’m definitely trying to tap into what’s here and help elevate that.”
..."Johnson has faced some discrimination in her field as a Black woman, but she says she’s mostly felt welcome. In tough times, she reassures herself by taking pride in her identity.
“At the end of the day, if you do your best and then own your identity, I feel like you can kind of only do great,” said Johnson.
Johnson is already creating new designs and products to help her and others own their identity. She’s revamping her merchandise line and released a mug that says “Dope, Black, and Favored.”
Johnson recently moved to Denver to work with a production company called Fresh Face Media. She’s on a mission to add to the Mile High City’s creative scene. She says it’s nothing like Kansas City.
“Kansas city is smaller, but it has a more abundant and just out-there creative scene for Black people,” Johnson said. “So I’m definitely trying to tap into what’s here and help elevate that.”
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