Conversations with Alex Eiman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Eiman.

Alex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was introduced to design in high school after taking a few digital art classes in 2006. While I was never very artistic growing up, something about the combination of technology and art clicked for me and I fell in love pretty quickly. I taught myself Photoshop over the summer and by the time I graduated, I knew that I wanted to work in design for the rest of my life. I enrolled in a digital design program in college, graduating with my BFA from the University of Colorado at Denver.

I’ve spent the last 10 years working with tech startups, ministries, and agencies in a variety of roles including web & product design, illustration, and art direction. I’m currently a Senior Web Designer with a digital agency called Unfold. In my current role, I have the opportunity to work with a team of amazingly talented designers to create stunning websites for clients.

Since design started off as a hobby of mine, I’ve also worked on a number of side projects that have helped fuel my creativity and provide another creative outlet to explore my passion for design. One of those projects grew into a full-on side hustle, Eiman Design Co. The business is currently focused on creating items to celebrate our amazing National Parks and other outdoor-related merchandise.

Alright, 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?
My path to becoming a professional designer and small business owner has been challenging at times, but one that’s so rewarding. I’ve been blessed to have tremendous support from family members and friends over the years. My wife is also super creative and I’ve been able to encourage her and watch her grow in her illustration and design skills as well, which has been amazing.

The field of design has become so accessible and collaborative over the past 20 years, which allows me to stay up-to-date with current trends and technology. We now have access to endless resources and training videos, online platforms that let us share our work with others and easily set up online stores, and even the ability to jump into the same file together and work on projects in real-time.

While all of that connectedness is great on so many levels, it can also be a struggle at times to work alongside other creatives. We’re a passionate bunch and sometimes egos and personal feelings can get in the way of doing our best work. Over the years, I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from mentors and grow as a person.

Ego quickly falls by the wayside when you can collaborate and learn from people more talented than yourself. Learning how to listen and be empathetic to the needs of peers and clients has been extremely helpful in my career as well and it’s helped inform how I handle customer service as an online store owner.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own a small design studio called Eiman Design Co. which has focused primarily on branding and illustration over the last few years. While I don’t currently operate as a freelancer full-time anymore, I do occasionally work with small businesses to create unique branding and packaging design. I also spend time on several personal projects that help me fuel my creativity and passion for design. These include a series of illustrations featuring landmarks, coffee shops, and fictional locations.

The project that I’m the proudest of and probably the most well-known for is my Parks of America project. I started it in 2016 as a series of simple badges featuring National Parks. Over the years, I’ve taught myself how to illustrate and developed a style that works off of my strengths. It’s been fun to learn a new skill set and I’m always trying to improve how I capture landscapes with each design.

The series has grown into a full-blown side business that currently sells outdoor-themed goods including stickers, postcards, and calendars. I have plans to continue growing the business and eventually offer new lines of products beyond park designs.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Since my shop is fully online, I’ve been really fortunate the last year and a half to be able to operate normally through Etsy. Orders and supply chains have slowed down at times, but I haven’t had to deal with mandates and shutdowns that have been hard on many small businesses. It’s been a really tremendous blessing.

One thing that I’ve learned is to be more patient and understanding of customer needs during this time. People have been through a lot and spending a few extra seconds to address someone’s needs and even go above and beyond their expectations has been rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: eimandesign.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eimandesignco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eimandesignco
• Other: https://dribbble.com/alexeiman