Artist Interview: SURVIVETHETRAP
SURVIVETHETRAP is a seasoned art director with 15 years of experience creating impactful designs. Based in Orlando, Florida, he has worked with high-profile clients to deliver quality graphic design that transforms brands. SURVIVETHETRAP’s mission is simple: to create art that makes people stop, feel, and connect — even if they can’t put it into words.
His journey began as a teenager experimenting with Photoshop, teaching himself to create the visuals he wanted but couldn’t find. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a passion for storytelling through design. Inspired by culture — music, street life, and raw, authentic moments — his work often explores duality, balancing chaos with calm, light with dark, and nostalgia with the future.
We asked SURVIVETHETRAP about his art, creative process, and inspirations.
Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?
I’ve always been drawn to visuals—whether it was album covers, streetwear graphics, or bold ad campaigns. I got started just messing around with Photoshop as a teenager, teaching myself how to create what I wanted to see but couldn’t find. Over time, it turned into more than a hobby, and I realized I could use these skills to tell stories and connect with people.
What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?
I’m inspired by culture—music, street life, and anything raw that feels real. My work tends to explore duality: chaos and calm, light and dark, or even nostalgia and the future. I like creating art that makes people pause and feel something, even if they can’t quite name it.
Your followers on Instagram often praise your incredible use of color. Can you share how you approach color selection in your designs? Is it more instinctual or deliberate?
It’s a mix of both. Color, to me, is energy. I’ll usually start with a gut feeling, then tweak it until it matches the mood I’m aiming for. Sometimes it’s deliberate, like when I want to evoke something specific, but most of the time, it’s about trusting the flow and letting the design guide me.
How do you balance creating client work with maintaining your personal style and creative voice?
I think the key is knowing what feels authentic to me. Even when I’m working on client projects, I always find ways to bring my own perspective to the table. At the end of the day, they come to me for what I do, so I make sure my voice is still present.
Can you share a recent project or piece of work that you’re especially proud of and why it stands out to you?
My recent 11:11 Dream Print Drop stands out to me. It felt personal because I captured the vibe of something meaningful to me and shared it with my audience in a way that felt raw but polished. Seeing people connect with it reminded me why I do this!!!
Are there any artists or creative influences that have had a significant impact on your work? How have they shaped your artistic style or approach?
So many people in the CD community inspire me daily. When I lived in California, I was lucky to have mentors like Robert Gallardo and Unkle Luc, who taught me about approach, consistency, and vision. They shaped how I see collaboration and how I bring authenticity to everything I create.
What is a fun fact about you?
I used to teach myself Photoshop by remixing old Lil Wayne album covers in like 5th-6th Grade. It started as just messing around to have my iTunes to look nice, but looking back, it was the start of everything I do now.
What else fills your time when you’re not creating art?
I’m usually working on ideas for my brands or other brands, curating, or just kicking back with my little family. I try to stay inspired through culture, conversations, or just stepping back and letting life do its thing.
How do you see graphic design evolving in the future?
Design’s gonna get way more immersive with AI and tech taking over, but at the end of the day, good storytelling and being real are what’ll always matter. Tools and trends change, but the message is what makes it stick.
