Today we’d like to introduce you to Bradley Looney
Hi Bradley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in a small city nestled in the valley of the Appalachian Mountains. When people ask me when I started making art, I like to joke that I came out of the womb holding a paintbrush. Art has always been a part of my life. As a toddler, I created “masterpieces” on the walls, and as I grew older, I spent hours drawing my favorite cartoon characters. My family always encouraged my creativity. Some of my earliest memories involve writing stories with my Maw or sitting in my Nanna’s studio, painting bears together. It seemed like there wasn’t a single day I wasn’t making something.
As I got older, I started taking art classes at a local studio school and participated in gifted art programs. I was often told I had talent, which inspired me to work even harder. By the time I reached high school, art became a central focus of my life. I was passionate about my art classes and formed close friendships with my classmates. While many of my peers were exploring teenage freedoms like parties and weekend adventures, my friends and I were immersed in making art—it was what we loved most.
When it came time to apply to college, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to attend art school. My senior year art teacher introduced me to SCAD, praising its strong reputation and high employment rates. She said it was a place she could see me thriving, and I trusted her judgment. Without hesitation, I sent in my application.
Arriving at SCAD was exhilarating—new people, a new environment, and a new sense of freedom! I wanted to try everything, and during my first year, I explored it all. One moment I was focused on painting; the next, I thought I’d pursue fashion. Then industrial design caught my eye. But everything clicked when I took an introductory graphic design class. Graphic design felt like the perfect blend of everything I loved—it was fun, challenging, and endlessly creative. I fell in love and knew I’d found my place.
Now, as I near the end of my junior year, I’m still growing and discovering who I am as a designer. Every day, I strive to push my skills further and embrace new challenges. I’m excited to see where my passion for design will take me and what the future holds.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth journey—it’s been both exciting and challenging. I’ve often struggled to find my place and build confidence in my skills. But I’ve learned that stepping outside my comfort zone and diving into those nerve-wracking, uncertain experiences has always been worthwhile. Each challenge has helped me grow, both personally and professionally. Every moment—no matter how difficult—has taught me more about myself and made me more confident in my abilities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently a graphic design student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), driven by a passion for creating—not just in graphic design, but in every aspect of the creative process. What excites me most is how every project is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and push myself in new directions. Exploring fresh ideas and building new skills fuels my drive as I continue to find my place in the design world.
Right now, I’m working on social media campaigns for a few SCAD thesis films, serving as the Social Media Officer for SCAD’s Lifting Club, and recently started as a SCAD Graphic Design Ambassador and a work-study student.
If you were to ask my peers and collaborators, they’d likely say I’m known for my bold, colorful designs—full of personality and life. I thrive on bringing bold ideas to life and creating work that leaves a lasting impression.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone just starting out is to surround yourself with driven, supportive people who will grow and learn alongside you as a designer. That sense of community has been invaluable to me. Once I started engaging with the SCAD graphic design community, collaborating with my peers, and learning from the people around me, everything shifted. The things that once felt intimidating became exciting and fun.
Having such a passionate and supportive community has been instrumental in building my confidence as a designer. Watching my friends and peers grow is just as rewarding as seeing my own progress. We push each other to create, inspire, and innovate—and it’s an incredible environment to be part of.
I’m endlessly grateful for everyone I’ve met along my journey as a designer. Their encouragement and passion motivate me every day, and I’m so excited to see what the future holds—not just for me, but for all of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://readymag.website/u1580951397/4821106/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleylooneydesigns/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-looney-bb7969221/
