Today we’d like to introduce you to Donald Wooten.
Hi Donald, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from a Business School that offered a course in Visual Communications in 2001. This was directly after 9/11 and the workplace was upside down. As a novice, I had to compete against highly experienced creatives that had just found themselves out of the job. My only option was to get a menial gig and plot on a business. I landed a job at Ideal Jacob in Maplewood and this started my journey as a printer; a trade I never considered seriously but would eventually become my new strength. Fast forward, ten years after graduating, I connected w/ my partner Khairi Akili on Twitter and we built Stolen Outfitters in an attempt to reclaim the IP we (and many other early users) were feeding the social media platform in its infancy. We knew it would eventually grow to be a strong-willed brat that forgot who taught it to walk and talk, so an exit strategy that included a business model made more sense than waiting to be forgotten. We did it.
In the first year, we spent enough money to build a shop. The second year? We built a shop. Eight years later, my Brother is in the medical field and I design for clients like Netflix Animation BUT Stolen Outfitters or STOUT brand still exists. I handle all day to day operations including but not limited to designing, printing, fulfillment and all marketing. Everything. Why? The brand is about championing various aspects of the black experience from the perspective of actual black people as opposed to people speaking on behalf of black people. BLACK PEOPLE that know their history while existing in the now and voraciously plotting out our futures w/ our ways and actions. The brand was originally supposed to show our relatives displaced throughout the diaspora and reconnected via social media to be self-determined in their practices, mindful of their self-worth and the value of their Intellectual Property (IP) and to engage in business – globally – beyond the role of consumer. We were called Revolutionary Capitalists…and I haven’t been back to Twitter since. I instead redirected all marketing efforts to FB and IG which has successfully extended the brand’s reach. Currently, Stolen Outfitters offers screen-printed and sublimated garments, Posters, Hard Canvases and Puzzles adorned w/ art created by myself using software such as Adobe Illustrator and drawing tablets such as the Huion XP-Artist Pro. Although we do the majority of our transactions online, we can often be found vending around the Greater Atlanta Area or at events like Vegan Soulfest in Baltimore, MD…where Stolen Outfitters was conceived.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Money is always a struggle for people who were deprived of generational wealth or basic opportunities for 100s of years. A business w/o money and/or credit has to crawl into the race and may never get up to a speed that even qualifies them to compete. We survived so many seasons due to the fact that I design and print everything which shifted our overhead to consumables. While this makes for a larger profit, it takes a generous amount of time from marketing and sales which is the lifeblood of businesses. Without aggressively reminding the marketplace that you are open for business w/ goods to serve, a business will not scale. So…while I can cite the most growth in the business happening after moving to Atlanta, the lack of solid marketing and a dedicated sales strategy are stagnating us.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a traditional Illustrator and a Vector Illustrator. The difference being traditional is “real” involving mediums such as pencil and paper. Vector Illustration is “virtual” involving only a computer. A traditional Illustration is only as good as the size it was created at and subject to physical decay if not archived properly. A vector illustration can be scaled up or down w/o losing resolution, can communicate w/ automated machinery, and will never degrade in its digital form. I specialize in Vector Illustration simply b/c a lot of people don’t like to do it. The end product still makes me feel accomplished and that thrill can’t be quantified w/ money or a compliment. Once that’s gone, I’m retired. For many years, I have done memorials for the recently transitioned and posted them online as appreciation pieces. My IG account @ahbseenkwestion is plastered w/ the flowers I arranged for our ancestors. Commonly, you can read where people who follow my account -many of which I have grown close to – await these pieces when we lose loved ones. To date, my memorial for Sean Price is the most meaningful considering it was approved by Sean’s Brother Dave and his Widow Bernadette (whom I also did a personal piece for). Recently, I had a memorial piece I did of John Lewis grace a digital billboard at 75 MLK Blvd Downtown ATL not far from the Benz Stadium. While I was unmoved due to the “heavy-handed” editing of my commentary, my Father was particularly proud of my work making it into the Washington Post. Truthfully, I believe what sets me apart from my contemporaries is how integral Hip Hop is to my means of expression. There is constantly duality and metaphors governing the pieces. They are all ruled by rhythm. Their tone is pronounced. It’s as bold as graffiti but as slick and intelligent as the technology used to produce it. Yet..it is as organic as a corner formed from 2 converging paths. I sign each piece w/ my soul.
What does success mean to you?
Understanding and being understood. Extending respect and being respected. Loving and being loved. I believe they amount to success personally and professionally.
Pricing:
- Illustrations start @ $250
- Book Covers start @ $500
- logos start @ $750
- Branding Systems start @ $1250
- Consultations $50/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: dgwooten2@gmail.com
- Website: donald-wooten.format.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ahbseenkwestion/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialstoutfitters
Image Credits
Donald G Wooten
