“I’ve always been super attracted to typography design and classic type setting,” Makenna David said as we chatted over coffee. “Just kind of learning how to creatively combine those things in the parks prints was how I got into it. I’ve just fallen in love with it.”
Making the jump from college to career can be a time of uncertainty and hardship, but Makenna David, a 2023 Union Alumni who majored in studio arts with an emphasis in graphic design, has undoubtedly overcome this obstacle. David has recently established her own storefront called “Aspenglow Printshop” right in the heart of Jackson, TN.
Instead of moving back home to Northern Oregon post-graduation, David decided to plant her roots in Jackson and see where her graphic designing talents would take her as a local entrepreneur.
“I decided to stay in here for a year and just see how it went. I kept my main nine to five, and I was able to implement some of my graphics in my media skills into that job, which was really nice,” David said. “Because of that, getting to know people here and doing not only my graphics but also my printmaking business, I definitely got more in touch with the fine art side of Jackson and people here.”
Usually, you see most graphic designing majors continue their careers working for an agency, typically digital marketing, but David went a different direction. She took what she discovered she was passionate about with printmaking and ran with it.
“At Union, I took Dr. Halla’s aesthetic classes…actually, I took all of them,” David said, glowing with excitement. “They were just so interesting to me. He did a printmaking section in every semester, and that’s how I initially got into it.”
David has already been in touch with many companies and non-profit organizations around the community. From graphics to linocuts, David has offered up her skills for others to indulge in.
“I’ve worked with Fellowship Church and a lot of non-profit clients, and as for prints, my target demographic is really anyone who is interested in what I like to do that is kind of interested in my style of work.”
She told me about the inspirations behind her personal style and how much her home in Northwest Oregon has influenced her taste.
“Just being around nature all the time when I was at home in Oregon is something I definitely took for granted when I moved to West Tennessee. And so it’s just something that I love and treasure so much,” David said. “In terms of my style, I look a lot to vintage, old packaging design, old type design, like old industrial branding is really interesting to me.”
David also talked with me about the significance behind her print company’s name, Aspenglow Printshop, and what it means to her.
“The name is actually based on the John Denver song title. My dad loves John Denver,” David said with a reminiscing smile. “He listened to him all the time, and I just thought it was such a perfect name, especially with starting my business doing the parks prints, it just meshed.”
Luckily in a place like Jackson, it provides great outreach opportunities for people like David who rely on the community for local support.
“Downtown is usually where I’ve sold prints, and that community is just like open arms towards any sort of person who’s wanting to market their craft and what they do, so I’ve been super lucky being able to find space to pop up there.”
Abby Porter, a junior digital media communications major, described David as “creative, determined, passionate and very strong.”
“She’s such a positive person and she has a great outlook on life,” Porter said. “When we were both working at a pop-up together, I went over to her booth to say how I thought her stuff was amazing of course, and immediately she was just so welcoming, inclusive and empathetic, and I could tell she just cares a lot about others.”
In just six months, David has become very successful with Aspenglow Printshop, but even she had her struggles. She shared some valuable lessons she has learned in her first year of running a business and shed some wisdom she plans to carry with her in the future as a business owner.
“I am definitely introverted…” David laughed. “But networking is huge. Getting out of your shell and talking to people who you don’t normally talk to is super hard sometimes, but still step out and have those conversations anyway because the worst a potential client or someone can say to you is ‘no,’ and that is okay.”
Being your own business owner, creator, and marketer can be a challenging task, juggling all those hats at once, but David has overcome the odds with time management and organization.
“It’s nice being your own marketer because you know yourself and the story you’re wanting to tell and how you want people to perceive that, but it’s hard sometimes. Every minute counts.”
David shared some advice for others who are interested in a similar field of work.
“There are so many little bazaars and things that towns around Jackson do all the time, so always just keep your eyes peeled,” David said. “It really is worth that little bit of money to rent a booth or something because you never know who you’re going to meet.”
David’s mentality when making graphics for clients is very professional and confident, and I personally cannot wait to see what she will accomplish in her future ventures.
“I really want people to be able to tell their stories in whatever way possible, so when going into a branding project with someone, it’s our job as graphic designers to be the visual tie to that story for people who have no idea what’s going on.”
David’s artwork truly is a one of a kind, as there are hardly any handcrafted printed artists in Jackson. David sees this as an opportunity to stand out in her community, and really make her mark as a creator in Jackson, while being ready to take on any adversities that come her way.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Aspenglow PrintShop can follow David’s Instagram @aspenglowprints or visit her Esty website: https://aspenglowprintshop.etsy.com.