Hi! I’m Ethan
Biography
Ethan Huang is a graphic designer and video editor based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He primarily makes digital graphics and illustrations but is capable of video editing, photography, and 3D modeling. Ethan received a BFA in Studio Art with an Art History minor at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is experienced in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, InDesign, and Sony Vegas
Artist Statement
I find that some of my most enjoyable projects to work on are the ones where I start from scratch. Making every aspect of the piece, from the photographs used to the edits being made in Photoshop, is what makes me the proudest of my creations. For me, projects flow smoothly with the more creativity I have. Not having to worry about copyright infringement or the quality of assets feels liberating and therapeutic in a way.
My primary canvas is Adobe Photoshop. It is a program that was introduced to me back in high school, and ever since, it has been my go-to tool for creating digital media. Over the years, I have utilized Photoshop as a means to conceptualize, alter, and finalize projects. It is now a program where I feel comfortable working, and I am confident in my abilities to work efficiently and quickly.
I am heavily inspired by vintage graphic design, whether that is Nike advertisements from the '80s or vintage vinyl covers. The fuzzy nature of the text and images, along with the faded color palettes, gives off an aesthetic that feels comfortable yet memorable. People might think of it as trendy to recreate vintage aesthetics in the modern age, but I believe that it is possible to create modern graphics while also calling back to older aesthetics. Many of my works, such as my series of vintage Nike-esque posters, do exactly this; they tie in modern products with the looks of an old sneaker magazine advertisement. I also created a set of game tournament graphics in the style of a CD album cover, which allowed me to express my interests in the aesthetic while also providing visually appealing pieces for the tournament.
While the ‘80s and ‘90s have come and gone, many still have a soft spot for vintage aesthetics, and I believe that graphic design is one of the best methods to keep that sentimentality while at the same time bringing it into the 21st century. This belief is best reflected in a current project that involves Joan Jett and the Heartbeats, a legendary ‘80s rock band best known for their song “I Love Rock and Roll.” I am tasked with creating concert posters that not only attract a modern audience but also hark back to their adorned past. This type of design job fits my skillsets perfectly, and I am excited to see what comes next in my career.
