At VIDA, we have so many amazing members… from solopreneurs to nonprofit organizations, and from remote workers to consultants– we love meeting and supporting them all!

In this post we are excited to introduce Kyle Christman, a Dedicated Desk member in the West Wing at VIDA Portland who joined more than a year ago and is the founder at MoodBoard Creative (and one of the most talented photographers and graphic designers that we have seen!). You can check out his photos and work and follow along on Instagram @kyle_is_done

1. Tell us about your work…
I am a freelance artist and owner of the newly created MoodBoard Creative. MoodBoard is a full service media company which focuses on motion design, video production, and graphic/web design.  

I chose the name MoodBoard, because everyday I rely on inspiration to create original content, and a mood board is a tool that collects those visuals and helps clients expand their ideas. Although I have been freelancing for the last 2 years, I have over a decade of creative agency experience.

2.  What led you to this career?
I am a freelance artist and owner of the newly created MoodBoard Creative. MoodBoard Creative is a full service mediea company which focuses on motion design, video production, photography, and design. Over the years, it grew and grew into multimedia, animation and video. 

I have always had a fascination with learning the process, rather than the product. I would rather say “I know how that is made”, rather than “I made that”. Because of this, my portfolio is pretty diverse with visual skill sets. I think of myself as a Swiss army knife, not a Jack of all trades 🙂

Also (with my generation particularly), I grew up alongside the introductions of all these technologies and was able to learn how they are implemented into design, motion and video. And since these methods are always advancing and evolving, I consider myself a lifelong learner. I like to stay at the front of new design trends and visual possibilities. New cameras, new software, new techniques… it’s not slowing down.

3. What are your passions – personal or professional
Outside of work, my biggest passion is to travel and see the natural beauty, and diverse cultures of this world. And of course, I take a camera with me wherever I go. When at home, I love painting and other art projects and also DIY around the house.

4. How does community play an important role in your everyday work life?
In addition to online communities,  I need to be able to see my work through others’ eyes. Being able to discuss and view work through multiple lenses shows me areas that could be missing, which in turn, spawn new creativity. Working in a digital realm, there are always things that challenge me and I wonder how this can be fixed. Communities help me find solutions. And of course it is always fun to break away from the monitor screen.

5. At VIDA we say, “Make Life/Work for you!” How do you find a healthy balance?
The biggest thing I learned from leaving agency life is that balance is everything. Work balance, social balance, fitness balance, family balance, etc., are all so important. Working for myself and under my schedule gives me the ability to obtain that balance and put my health before anyone else. Having a space at VIDA gives me even more opportunity to have balance outside of just working from home. Couldn’t appreciate it enough.