The passion project, launched at the university, has grown into a full-fledged design and printing company serving clients from small startups to government agencies. Dyshann Anderson, founder of Aquastone Graphic Arts and Print in Hartford, says his early interest in publishing sparked a career spanning over 20 years.
“I wanted to create a publication, so I was heading to university, so I made it a business to learn as much about graphic art as possible,” Anderson said. “Providing brand design, publication design, web design and commercial printing was my ideal way to present my skill set and earn money for myself. But this personal need for sharing important information in my community has always been there.”
Network as a growth engine
For Anderson, gaining new clients starts with showing up, even when he prefers to work quietly behind the scenes.
“Being involved in the community is something you have to do,” Anderson said. “That's a challenge for me, because I'm just in the background and like to handle things like that…but you have to spend a bit of time promoting yours.”
Advice for aspiring artists
Anderson's advice is direct, as students don't know how to turn artistic eyes into pay. Graphic art is a viable career path.
“Graphic art will always be a way to live a good life,” Anderson said. “Graphic artists have a lot of money. They have to learn how to separate themselves from other markets. They need to know how to become entrepreneurs.”
Learn about the business side
Anderson didn't build Aquastone just by creativity. He sought resources from professional organizations such as the Entrepreneur and Women's Business Centre at Hartford University, Small Business Management and Minority Construction Council.
“My information comes from a variety of places. I do a lot of research,” Anderson said. “Today, it's much easier for young entrepreneurs. For AI, the information is there. It's easy to use AI to create business plans and strategies and work there.
Anderson recommends and builds from the marketing and finance workshops as the foundation.
Accepting the possibilities of AI
While some people in the design field view artificial intelligence as a threat, Anderson takes the opposite stance.
“AI is just as good as the people who use it,” he said. “If you have extensive knowledge of marketing and design, you get exactly what you want.”
