Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetrius Smith.
Demetrius, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been artistically inclined since a child. I taught myself to draw at 5 and it naturally influenced me to get better. While studying architecture in college, my understanding of art, graphic composition, spatial arrangement, and aesthetics grew.
During my 5th year in Architecture School at the University of Tennessee, I had by that point, become pretty skilled graphically with rendering programs and started to branch out into marketing. I was part of an ambassador organization called ME4UT and was on the PR committee. I made various promo images with my team for campus events. After graduating in 2015, it became an opportunity for income and expanding my skillset. I didn’t really promote MDG until 2016 and it started to grow once I got plugged in with party promoters in my hometown, Chattanooga. When I moved to Atlanta in 2017, I expanded my services to various categories and the website and business page eventually followed!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, I would say yes. The biggest challenge initially was understanding my worth as a designer. People will try to low-ball or ridicule your prices when they have no idea the time it takes with any design process. My price ranges were low starting out and once I got faster and better at creating imagery my fees increased. However, I consider them fair and will negotiate at times for bulk orders and big clients. Another challenge was figuring out how to protect myself. There have been a few occasions where I didn’t receive compensation, so I place watermarks on all progress and require deposits on jobs over a specific amount. I had a business page on IG at one time that was hacked so I deleted it. Currently I use my personal and business page on FB.
Please tell us about your work.
M.D. Graphics (Metri’s Design Graphics) is a quality graphic design service that delivers on attention, detail and empathy of a client’s desires for visual production. Currently, I offer digital services for the following categories:
- Event Flyer Design (Parties, Networking, Mixers)
- Invitation Design (Graduations, Weddings, Baby Showers)
- Small Card Design (Business Cards, Giftcards, Tickets)
- Logo Design (Brands, Businesses, Alterations)
- Poster Design (Events and designs at a large scale)
- Web Design (Wix Template-Based Websites)
- Building Design (Small Residential & Commercial buildings)
I’m proud of my platform because it started as just a cool idea to being a respected product. I’ve had a lot of support over the years and it stands out because it is like a stop-and-shop for all types of design products.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My inner-cicle, siblings, and clientele have contributed whether it was actual jobs, referring me to people on social media, constructive criticism, and just pushing me in general. I won’t say any names since there’s so many I could drop, but the ones who have always been there know who they are. I love and appreciate you all for continual support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mdgraphics.net
- Phone: 423-463-8323
- Email: Metri809@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Metridamus
- Facebook: Demetrius Smith and M.D. Graphics (@mdgraphics423)
- Twitter: @Metridamus
Image Credit:
Original photography was taken by Steven J. Lawrence (based out of Los Angeles, California).
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