Meet Michael Smith of Arch Alien Designs in East Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Smith.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a teenager, I always loved art and always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I had a little hustle in college resaling designer clothes to friends and classmates. I started really getting into graphic design and large format printing around 2013. Reproducing pics on canvas and poster prints. This was a joint venture. In 2014, I decided I wanted more and needed more to give. All my graphic knowledge thus far has been self-taught using the internet and picking the brains of a few friends who are artists as well. I also paint, which is still a work in progress. Though most of my work is digital.

Once I got comfortable, around 2015, I started actually designing for people, business cards, logos, album cover art, etc. I utilized my network of artists, business owners, and work associates to get started. In 2016, I officially named my business and created my website with the help of my wife and started putting my designs on t-shirts and poster prints. Arch Alien is a play on my name which derives from the biblical Arch Angel Michael, and Alien being from and raised in ATL, the known moniker being Atlien. The Atlanta culture in the past was very foreign to a lot of people, but over my lifespan, we’ve grown to be respected and imitated by many. I value my city and my work represents its culture.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not really. Partnership was a struggle. Having a dream that someone else may not see or want to work towards. And being strong enough to still have faith and go forward. Also, the learning curve that many artists face of pricing my work and deciding whether to work for someone or work for myself. Sometimes I’ve had to do both. As a man, you want to do what’s best for your family.

Please tell us about Arch Alien Designs.
My work represents my upbringing in Atlanta, which includes the music, my love for its history, and the culture in general. I specialize in graphic design. This includes my own illustrations, which are always for sale. As well as creating digital photos, logos, business cards, flyers, and album cover art for clients. I’m proud to still be standing and growing daily. Over the past few years, I’ve been a vendor at many art and indie events around the city and have hosted events as well. I think what sets me apart is I have the knowledge of the history of the city and can encompass that in my work and explain it to people in person, especially people who have moved here from many other places. Arch Alien Designs is like an Atlanta tour guide.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I don’t have a distinct favorite memory. Just the desire to live out my dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.archaliendesigns.com
• Email: archaliendesigns@gmail.com
• Instagram: Arch_Alien

Image Credit:
IG @arch_alien

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