Photo by Julian Lopez-Castillo
Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilio Arellano.
Hi Emilio, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m constantly learning, testing, ideating, and having fun! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Film from the San Francisco University of Quito in Ecuador and a Master’s degree in Creative Business from the Savannah College of Art & Design in Georgia.
In 2021, I made the decision to leave my hometown and move to Savannah. It was a big leap, but I knew it was what I needed to do to pursue my dreams. I worked part-time jobs, attended classes, and networked as much as I could. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined to make it work. Nights of toil, tears, and coffee-fueled my journey, but it was the meaningful friendships that kept me going.
When I arrived in Savannah, I had my life packed in a suitcase and a few thousand dollars in my pocket. I knew that I would need to be resourceful and resilient if I wanted to succeed. I also knew that I would need to find a way to support myself financially while I pursued my creative dreams. Oh, the stories I made once I started settling in.
I worked hard to build my network and find opportunities. I volunteered, interned, and took on freelance projects. I also started my own creative business. It was a lot of work, but it was also incredibly rewarding. The challenges of self-funding, navigating a new cultural and economic system, and growing as a creative made me realize that for the abstract concept of reaching an “overnight success”, you will need a thousand nights in the dark. The greatest journey I made was the journey within.
After three years of hard work, I am now working as an Innovation Studio Catalyst at one of the best design schools in the world – facilitating creative breakthroughs through Design Thinking methodologies, Innovation Design, and Transformative Leadership. I am passionate about helping emerging artists find their creative mission statement and develop their skills. I believe that creativity is essential for innovation, and I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on this constantly evolving world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a duality. Life can be freaking hard but also freaking beautiful. There are times when I have to get into survival mode, but there are also moments of clarity and inspiration. These moments remind me that life is worth living, even when it’s tough.
One of my biggest challenges as an international student was understanding the American cultural system through trial and error. I had support from my university for visa requirements, but I had to figure out everything else on my own. This was especially difficult when it came to physical and mental health, motivation, social support, legal actions, credit scores, bills, and economic limits – you know the drill.
My biggest struggle was finding my “why statement”, when I was desperately looking for a job post-graduation. I had to learn to swallow my ego, trust my instincts, and flow with the spirit (Plus, not starve in the process and big bills to pay). Many people don’t know the power of creating a personal mission statement. It can be a powerful motivator, both internally and externally. When you sit down with your thoughts and write down your goals periodically, it gives your mind a chance to rest. And when your mind rests, your thoughts change, your decisions become more intentional, your habits improve, and your lifestyle has a purpose.
I understood that a job title or money should never be a cause but rather a result of your intentionality.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a strategy and innovation creative consultant, I specialize in facilitating Design Thinking for Gen Z and Gen Alpha creatives. I am most proud of being a good connector within my network. I am humbled and grateful about the possibilities of connecting emerging talent to their mission statement and next career step. However, I’m still figuring out what makes me unique. Once I know what directly separates me from others, I will have changed. But, I believe our generation is special in terms of creativity and purpose-driven action. I’ve decided to use my creativity to help others shine, while I learn from them in return, and mirror myself in their creative process.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Journaling is the finest and most productive way of contemplative meditation that I have discovered. It is a powerful tool that has helped me learn from my mental patterns, personal assumptions, and biases and track my progress.
I highly recommend reading the following books: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, How to be a Design Student by Bruce Goldstein, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, Atomic Habits by James Clear, The 4 Agreements by Miguel Ruiz, and Essentialism by Greg McKeown.
In terms of additional tools: One of my mentors once told me that the best way to build new synaptic connections in your brain is to learn something new every day and do something new every week.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emiliojosearellano.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/emlioarellano?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliojarellano/
Image Credits
Portrait. Julia Izurieta Photography – Quito, Ecuador
