Today we’d like to introduce you to Tytiana Steele.
Hi Tytiana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I established Versara Creatives creative agency February 16, 2020 to create more Black wealth within the Advertisement, Marketing and Film Industry in Detroit, MI where I was raised. This company was created because of the lack of mentorship I was given within this industry. I carved out my own path in order to create more opportunities for myself and others that would follow in my footsteps. As a result, I’ve done positions such as; Production Designer, Art Director, Graphic Designer, Set Decorator, Set Dec Buyer, and Set Dresser. This was not easy to fulfill, but it was worth the journey. Here’s my story:
In 2015, I started to fulfill my passion for Art and Design. I’ve always been creative, but I knew switching my major to Graphic Design was the best decision I had made for my career. I started to reach out to those in every design position. I emailed hundreds, few responded, two followed through with meeting me, and most important I took the opportunity to shadow Chris Craine, an Art Director whom worked on Chicago P.D. Chris became my mentor within the Film industry. He guided me into the right direction that I would be most successful in. After meeting Chris, I was able to dive into the film world to see if this could be something worth exploring, and It was! I learned that I could use my degree in so many ways and later discovered new passions within the Art Department, Set Dec Department, and Property Department of the industry.
In 2018 graduated from Eastern Michigan University (EMU) with a BFA in Graphic Design. Here, I was able to accomplish a few things that led me into the Advertising, Marketing, and Film Industry; I presented within the Undergraduate Symposium in 2017 with my “Procedural Design of Identity” project, Became the Graphic Designer to create the brand and identity of the symposium in 2018, as an Art and Design Alumni I served as one of the symposium speakers for the Design Expo Students in 2020, and I published my first short story titled “Re|lief” that can be read within the Cellar Roots 2017 -2018 Magazine ; Eastern Michigan University’s Award winning Literary and Arts magazine.
After graduating, my life had begun. I worked for Detroit Public Television as a Film Assistant, Woodward Original as a Graphic Designer and Set Decorator (for Stock X, Untol[d], Rainbow Babies Band Manifesto, and more), and a Netflix feature Sextuplets within the Art Department as an art production assistant in Atlanta for a month. I was fired from this Netflix feature because I wanted more out of this position to enhance my skills, to be an asset, than to wash dishes, get lunch, and make coffee. Traveling back to Detroit I vowed to only take positions that would only enhance my craft and myself.
A couple months later I received a call from Chris with an opportunity that became the pivotable moment of my career. He asked me to work with him on Queen of the South Season 4 within the Art Department in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2019 I moved there to work on the show for 6 months. I was able to work within the Art department as an art department assistant helping the graphic designer, Henry McGee, on the graphics needed for the show and later switching departments to work as a Set Dresser in the Set Dec Department. This gave me an entirely new perspective. After completing Queen of the South, I traveled back to Detroit and started my Set Decorating career.
Mid 2019, I became a Full-time Freelancer providing the creative services of a Graphic Designer and Set Decorator. At this time, I worked solely on Brand Developing for new businesses, commercials, and films in Detroit such as Detroit Police Department, Plum Market, and Fakers. I also was able to be a part of “Women In Film” as one of the Set Decorators to create the set and be the talent within the documentary.
In 2020, instead of being a freelancer, I decided to have my own business. Not only was I able to receive more opportunities, but I could provide them as well. Since then; I’ve worked with huge brands such as Pepsi, Essence, Google, and Barefoot Wine and Bubbly just to name a few, I’ve added a creative service, Event Decorator, decorating for my first Red Carpet Premiere for the short film “Consequences” Directed, Written, and produced by Eric Griggs-Hugan, and I traveled back to Atlanta for the feature Switched Before Birth as a set decorator. My journey so far has been amazing, and I’m eager to see what the next 4 years looks like.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacles I faced was learning my worth within this industry and being okay with uncertainty. Starting out as a production assistant (PA) for different departments was difficult. PA’s are treated as replaceable, overworked, and are not utilized well. As I stated, I was fired and replaced on my first “big opportunity”. Knowing your worth will lead to opportunities that are better for your journey. Don’t ever let anyone use you when you can be utilized in a greater light.
With uncertainty, In this industry you are not guaranteed a production. You are constantly chasing the next gig until your name is well-known enough where directors and producers are reaching out to hire you. The uncertainty was hard to get use to, but everyone creates their own wave as to what we use our “downtime” for. I started using mine to travel around the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the Founder and Owner of Versara Creatives creative agency. I provide the creative services such as Production Design, Art Directing, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Event Decorator, Set Decorator, and Acrylic Painting. I’m most proud of my diversity within my craft, I’m constantly adding new creative services of which I can pick and choose to do during different seasons of all 3 industries I work in. I’m a young Black woman that has her own company, creating opportunities, and utilizing her craft in a way that helps bring visions to life.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve had many mentors since starting this journey. They have all helped mold me into the creator and designer I am. The “Big Three” I’d have to give my flowers to are as followed;
Chris Craine, an Art Director within the film industry that let me shadow him. He was the first person that gave me an opportunity that helped shaped the creator and designer I am today.
Amy Darsey, a Set Decorator within the film industry that gave me advice and tools in order to work within the Set Dec Department. She was the person that opened my eyes to other departments within the industry and ultimately made me want to become a Set Decorator.
A’riel Ellis, a Director within the Advertising and Film industry that gave me my own lane to carve within Woodward original. Without her, I never would have received my first job as a Graphic Designer. She let me have a voice within my path, and I’m grateful that I still have her in my design hub.
Contact Info:
- Email: Versaracreatives@gmail.com
- Website: Imdb.me/TytianaSteele
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Versara.Creatives
- Facebook: facebook.com/VersaraCreativesLLC
- Other: VersaraCreatives.com
