See One Freelance to Freedom

Nitelyfe Pins by See One

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Interview by ChrisRWK (Robots Will Kill) Photos by See One

Born in New York City in 1980, See One has been fueled by creative curiosity joined with a big imagination ever since picking up a crayon. See One began illustrating as a young child inspired by his love for comic books, Japanese animation and the colorful graffiti of the late 80’s and 90’s. We had a chance to catch up with him about his journey from working a 9 to 5 to doing his own thing full-time, Nitelyfe Pins which started as a side project. Here’s what he had to say.

Can you tell me a little about what your day job is and some past ones you’ve had? I’m self-employed as a pin designer working for my pin brand, Nitelyfe Pins while also creating fine art for gallery shows, street art, illustration and comics. When I was in the 9 to 5 world I worked in various forms of design such as Fashion, Graphic, Web and UX design. I’ve created artwork for mobile games, major fashion brands, websites and

more. I decided to leave that world because I felt like I was wasting my time and energy while being stuck in an office making artwork for other people and didn’t feel fulfilled being the cog in some else’s machine.

What’s your side project? I’m not sure anymore, pins were my side project but I’d say pins and art both compete for my time these days.

So how much of your side project affected or included your day job? Or was it the reverse? Right now it’s all mixed in. I started my pin brand 1.5 years ago and prior to that it was just art and sometimes freelance design. Once I started making pins I got serious about it and decided to create my own job from that so I could focus on art when the inspiration strikes.

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We only live once, do what you love while you’re able.

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You do a lot of murals, is that something you’ve always wanted to do or was it something that came with the territory? Yeah I love to paint, it’s something I was always interested in. I saw my first graffiti production on the streets of Queens when I was about seven and it inspired me so much that I knew somehow graffiti and street art would be a part of my future. Once I got into graffiti and felt the addicting nature of it, I was locked in.

What’s your main driving force for doing your side project? We only live once, do what you love while you’re able.

Would you quit your day job to do your side project full time? Is so why, if not why. Or do you already feel like your side project is your day job? I quit my day job years ago to go sell art in the streets of Soho. I had to do it, I find no joy in being in an office for 8-9 hours of the day and being too tired to work on the

things I love by the time I get home. Even if I failed (which I have) I had to try it for myself because I felt so strongly that I could make it happen. When I had a 9 to 5 I had constant ideas about things I wanted to make or paint but had the job in the way so I removed that roadblock to gain freedom.

What’s next? Next for Nitelyfe is expansion. In addition to doing local events next year I’m going to be at more music festivals and comic conventions around the country. Eventually I hope to build a team to help me but that may be further down the line. Thanks for the interview!

How can people contact you? Pins: @nitelyfepins on Instagram and Facebook. Website: nitelyfe.co Art: @seeoneart on Instagram and Facebook. Website: seeoneart.com

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