Daily Inspiration: Meet Steven Hammerli

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Hammerli.

Hi Steven , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had a passion for art. I started working with Photoshop 6 creating fun projects with my brother, back in the early 2000’s, and have been involved in digital media ever since. My hobby at the time was taking portraits of my friends skateboarding, and working with music bands to re-skin their MySpace layouts using CSS and HTML. Little did I know, this was the beginning of my Multimedia Specialist career.

Thinking about what my future could look like within the graphic design sector, I was convinced I needed to change the world with graphic design and worked toward this goal through high-school and college, building on different skill sets. About a year after graduating from The Art Institutes International – Kansas City, I came across a posting from Heart to Heart International looking for a Creative Arts Associate. This was exactly the opportunity I was looking for.

From 2014 – 2022, I helped raise millions of dollars with their fundraising team, kick started their Hygiene Kit program PowrServ (known as their Hygiene Kit Program). Along with social media, website updates, photography, video, and graphic design I was fundraising to send doctors and nurses to countless domestic and international disasters. By the end of my tenure, I felt like I had achieved my goal of helping change the world.

Between this time I managed a youth sport photography company called Select Photo-Graphics, and worked with another KC photographer, Tracy Spisak, who really helped hone in on my photography skills.

Near the end of 2022, I started looking for different creative opportunities and became interested in 3D design. It wasn’t that I was bored with graphic design or photography, but rather, how could I continue building my experience as a multimedia professional, while still using knowledge I already had. Fast forward two years, I was working with Three Dog Bakery, creating 3D renders for their products in the e-commerce space, along with animations to use in their social media space.

Currently, I still work with Three Dog Bakery and their digital assets, but now I’m employed with Long Motor Corporation, where I complete graphic design and photo retouching tasks.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am very fortunate that I’ve been able to do what I love for the last 15 years. The road hasn’t always been smooth though. The biggest challenge I have faced when applying to any creative job is that I’m a “generalist”. A piece of advice is to not anyone put you in a box. Explore what art forms speak to you. Just as a renaissance artist practiced sculpting, they also left room to explore other avenues and artistic forms.

Its important to remember that one person not seeing value in your skills doesn’t mean that applies to everyone. Network and find businesses that need your skills!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in different forms of digital and print media. Jumping around to different types of projects, not only allows me to explore my own creativity, but to keeps things fresh and keeps my skills in check.

Currently, at LMC, I work primarily with photo-retouching where I touch up product photography and prepare catalog covers. I also revise or create composites for many different product assemblies.

With Three Dog Bakery, I focus mainly on their e-commerce sector and product innovation, mocking up new and current products for their marketing team to use in social media, print, e-commerce and presentations to win contracts.

As a sole proprietor I pick up side work from time to time. I’ve worked on logo and branding projects, book covers, photo editing & manipulation, and design consultation. The sky’s the limit to what I’m willing to work on.

In my spare time I love the 3D realm, and work with art that explores realism, emotions and conceptual ideas. I also enjoy creating branded product mockups to explore my own capabilities within product marketing. What sets me apart for others is my attention to detail, my level of creativity, and my ability to turn almost any idea into something visual or marketable in a short time.

Being a one-man band allows me the flexibility to work on many creative projects!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Take risks when you are prepared for them. If its leaving a job you’ve been at for awhile, or wanting to try something new, being prepared allows you wiggle room if something doesn’t work out.

In terms of business, being comfortable where you’re at professionally is great, but taking risks allows new doors to open and new opportunities to come up. Whats on the other side of the door could be your greatest reward.

For me personally, taking a risk is just investing time into whatever the new endeavor is. If its an opportunity I want to take a risk on, I research and based on my assessment, will take the leap or reconsider my options.

Pricing:

• Price TBD based on project requirement

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stevenhammerli.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenhammerlidesign
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-h-2173754a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app