Screen Shot: Coursework

City Based: Chicago,IL

What inspired the brand name?

The name Coursework is inspired by my background as a graphic designer. It's my course of work and the things I make are my projects. Coursework is the required work that's needed to learn something and for me my brand allows me to learn fashion and business by doing it. We all have some type of "coursework" we do and its about doing what you love.

At what moment did you realize you wanted to start a brand?

There were early moments when some seeds were planted when I saw designers in GQ magazines like Dao-Yi Chow of Public School and Mark McNairy when he worked on the Bee Line with Billionaire Boys Club that stuck with me. But it wasn't until I discovered guys like Benny Gold and Jeff Staple that I knew they were my people and I needed to be doing what they were doing.

What helps you get over creative blocks?

Sometimes you just have to work through it even when you're not in the mood. You can always take a break, sleep on it, pick up on it the next day and reevaluate the work then. Just don't use it as an excuse not to finish your work. Nothing has to be perfect. It's better that it gets done.

What is the biggest mistake you have made?

I regret how I ended an internship designing for Hebru Brand Studios which is Chicago artist Hebru Brantley's clothing brand. I had a full-time job at the same time and it was too much juggling both. I just texted them that I couldn't continue the internship rather than giving them a proper two weeks notice. I wish I would have handled things differently because I feel like I hurt a relationship that I was hoping to grow. It was an amazing opportunity and I appreciated what they did for me. I learned from that to always appreciate and nurture the connections you make and be professional in all aspects. You never know where those relationships could take you.

What is the biggest success you have had?

My first big win was getting my t-shirt into Jeff Staple's shop Reed Space in New York as my first shop. This was significant to me because Jeff was one of the guys who inspired me to start my brand in the first place. A second win was when Complex contacted me to do a popup with them in Chicago with a curated gallery of street artists. These milestones were just the beginning for me and are validation that I'm doing what I should be doing.

A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION PEOPLE MAY FIND WEIRD?

It's not really weird, but maybe unexpected. I'd say jazz music. From classic to Japanese jazz fusion and jazz in hip hop. Just having that music playing with a cup of coffee gets me in work mode. I recently dropped a collection that's all about coffee and jazz rap.

Favorite color to use?

Yellow. I don't know why, but I tend to use it in the brands I've created from my personal brand as a graphic designer, to Coursework and a new brand I launched called Dripbib. Even my first car was yellow. Maybe it has to do with my personality and design aesthetic which tends to be bold and playful.

ARE THERE ANY RETAIL SHOPS YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU BRAND IN?

That's a good question and I'm hoping to have more answers on that next year as its my goal to get into more shops. I'd love to be in a couple of Chicago shops like Jugrnaut, Saint Alfred or Notre. I also in general want to be in shops in LA, New York and abroad (especially Japan). I'm open to it all. We'll see what happens!

ANOTHER BRAND THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

I'm going to say two different brands for two different reasons. First, a Chicago brand called Hidden Characters. Their execution and attention to detail in their brand is so on point. They have a cult following that I feel is difficult to attain as a brand among all the noise out there. Their work motivates and inspires me.

Second, I'd say The Hundreds because of Bobby Hundreds. He's such a thought leader and what he's doing right now with NFTs is helping take streetwear to new territory. I appreciate what he's doing because it elevates the culture to think about technology and beyond clothing. We should be thinking of new possibilities and continue to evolve our work.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND THE BRAND IN 1 YEAR AND 5 YEARS?

In one year, I hope to be in more retail shops and steadily growing. In 5 years, I hope to grow big enough to have a team and do this as my full-time job that can buy me a big ass house one day.

IN 5 WORDS OR LESS DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND?

Products of creative culture