Meet Harry Lawson | Graphic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Harry Lawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Harry, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from (Southwest) Detroit. I was the kid that loved wrestling and comic book books that would lay under the clouds and imagine what animals the shapes were, but I also liked to fight. By the time I was in high school, I couldn’t stay out of trouble, and I didn’t know how to articulate how I felt, so I’d just draw; sometimes all over everything, it didn’t matter what it was. I barely made it to college, but I was introduced to Duane from Legwork Graphics on Blackplanet, and his work opened my eyes to the possibilities of combining art and computers through graphic design.

Being exposed to art at a young age allowed me to speak when I didn’t know what or how to say how I felt and harness that energy into different art mediums (dance, piano, drawing, photography, and graphic design) while allowing me to see the world around me different and those experieces shaped into who I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love to say that my art is corporate with attitude. I try to create art that is clean enough to get recognized in a boardroom and in the neighborhood. I think I am most proud of how far my art has come and how I treat my clients; those relationships have given me opportunities that I couldn’t dream of. lol No, it definitely was not easy, from scamming clients to questioning myself: have these last 20 years been worth it? multiple times through out this journey. It 100% is not easy, but I consider it character-building. At times I have had a love and hate relationship with the business side of owning my company, but the fact that its mine makes it worth it. My advice to anyone is to do the work. Put in the sweat equity, Push yourself yearly to be better than you were skill-wise the year before; never stop learning your craft; Boundaries are your friends; and lastly, treat your clients fairly; know when to be helpful and when to say no (never over promise)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely have to get a good coney breakfast to start. Considering a particular friend in mind, we would have to go to the old neighborhood to see what has changed. Broke my heart to see my grandmother’s house in Del Ray gone, then the entire neighborhood gone. We would spend most of the day riding around the Southwest and reminiscing about the craziness of our youth. Lunch time, we would have to hit Johnny Noodle Bar, then marvel at how much downtown has changed since the 90’s. Probably laugh about that one time we ran from the police and jumped on a random bus in Cadillac Square. Next, visit some old friends and family on the west side for more laughs and giggles. Dinner would have to be with the family and meet up afterwards at Views on Grand River for drinks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Johnny Washington, an amazing artist and friend that’s even responsible for this interview!
Fellow Graphic Designers that have had a big impact on me, Terrell “TBrad” and Duane “Legwork” Johnson

Website: enigmagraphics.biz – redesigning it currently

Instagram: @enigmagraphics