FINDING PIXEL DUST

Author de la Espriella offers hope for creatives in an account of his life as a starving artist-turned-successful graphic designer.

The work is split into two parts, first presenting the author’s own story and then his advice for those who seek to become professional artists. The first section tells of how de la Espriella received multiple rejections in the mid-1990s while trying to land his dream job as a Disney animator, his eventual employment as an artist in Disney’s Ink and Paint Department’s “Fish Bowl,” and his later career as a senior designer for ESPN and as a freelancer for other major companies. Although this initial section is generally a straightforward remembrance, the author effectively includes bits of wisdom throughout, such as “rejection is subjective” and “If the work needs too much justification, it probably isn’t strong enough yet.” The second part includes short pieces of advice, usually about a page long, with headings such as “Trust is Earned Pixel by Pixel” and “Drop the Ego, Keep the Excellence.” Overall, this book is a fast-paced, engaging read that aims to provide inspiration. He paints a picture of his own life that’s so vivid that readers will find it easy to place oneself in his shoes and feel that they, too, can get through the tough stuff and achieve success. (As he puts it, “If I made it, you can too.”) Moreover, the structure naturally lends itself to the nitty-gritty how-tos in the second half. Overall, it’s clear that creative passion, and a hope to pass it along to others, drives everything the author does: “maybe that’s what finding pixel dust really means. It’s not just about magic in the fairy tale sense, it’s about uncovering something rare and meaningful in the everyday work we do.” Readers will find that his energy and enthusiasm energize through every page.

An encouraging book for aspiring artists.