Meet Nicole Stumphauzer | Senior Graphic Designer & Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Stumphauzer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over the years, I’ve actively pursued a healthier work/life balance, leading me to the realization that not all “dream jobs” are dream jobs. Some roles or projects may demand long hours, quick turnarounds, compromised pay and/or navigating challenging client feedback. Although the final output may be portfolio-worthy, the associated negative emotions and experiences can discourage me from sharing the work which leads me to question why I even accepted the job. Now when I assess a project, I’m asking myself (1) if it’s cool and (2) if it seems like an overall positive experience.

Currently, maintaining a healthy work/life balance is not a choice for me; it’s a necessity. When that balance is thrown off, my happiness suffers. If my happiness suffers, so does my creativity. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break when I fall into it. Over time, I’ve started to pick up on situations that can stifle my creative flow and try to avoid them. To be an enthusiast artist, I need to prioritize a harmonious work/life balance as well as work/play.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m honestly most proud of coming from a small town in Ohio, moving to the west coast to work in entertainment and then securing a design job in that industry. I am currently a Senior Graphic Designer for Paramount which is a bigger company than I ever imagined working for.

The road to get to this point has been a stressful yet fulfilling path. I left Ohio to attend design school in Arizona. After graduating, I moved further west to Los Angeles to find a design job. There were so many excuses to not move to LA, but I knew I had to figure it out. For me, having regret was scarier than failing.

Regarding my art, I like my designs to be thoughtful. There is always a reason for a design decision whether it be color, font, imagery, etc. My work can range in a variety of styles, but the overall theme is simplicity and impact. My favorite types of projects include branding, events, and album art. I also love making and posting personal work for fun on social media!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here’s a shoutout to some of my favorite spots in northeast Ohio:

Magdalen’s Gallery + Espresso (Downtown Lorain):
This place is easily my favorite coffee shop and the chais never miss.

West River Paddling Company (Vermillion):
Kayaking on this river includes awesome views, lots of wildlife and affordable rentals.

Schoepfle Gardens (Wakeman):
An amazing 77-acre botanical garden and natural woodland metro park. I love walks in nature and taking pictures so it’s the perfect spot for a leisure afternoon. In the winter, I’ll go to Miller Nature Preserve Conservatory (Avon) and to admire plants indoors.

K-Cream Korner (Lorain):
I’m an ice cream fiend so I go here in the summer because it’s my closest option (but also a local staple). I usually get the vanilla orange twist cone with crunch and add a face 🙂

My parents’ house (Lorain):
I love being home. We have a lake view that is absolutely sick for sunsets, bonfires and corn hole. When I’m home my dad grills out a lot and we tend to host some good parties.

Speak of the Devil (Downtown Lorain):
The perfect place to end your evening for a handcrafted cocktail. The first time I ever went there, they served me a drink with their own logo branded onto the lemon peel garnish. I’ve been hooked on their attention to detail ever since.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my parents for encouraging me to be an artist and not trying to talk me into to a conventional career choice. The more I talk to people, the more I realize this is not always the case.

Shoutout to my hometown Lorain, Ohio for giving me the unique perspective of million-dollar views (if we’re facing north) while also being a diverse blue-collar town struggling for revival. When I think of Lorain, it is true that “nothing is given, everything is earned” so thanks to Lorain for teaching me how to grind.

Shoutout to my partner for encouraging me to move to LA and follow my dreams even though that meant he’d likely move there as well (aka his nightmare destination).

This list could go on forever, but my last shoutout is to anyone who has supported me as an artist. Thank you for following my journey, liking my posts, giving me unsolicited encouragement, reading this article, etc. It encourages me to do so much more. Really, truly– thank you!

Website: https://www.nicolestumphauzer.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stumpxcore

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stumphauzer/

Twitter: https://x.com/stumpxcore

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stumpxcore

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8IMU6bMEZbeKqi43UaXUew

Other: TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@stumpxcore Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/stumpxcore

Image Credits
Jake Thomas