Meet Christopher Crocitto | Designer & Editor-in-Chief of Clique Collaborators

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

Hi Christopher, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Many of us face this question in multiple facets of our lives, some in design, personal life, or in our career. Of course, each aspect should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Nonetheless, the underlying answer usually is changing our perspective so that giving up is never the answer.

From a creative or design aspect, before giving up, you should ask yourself, “is the design scheme or idea solving the original problem?”

Look at the original design brief, is your plan of action meeting or exceeding the client’s expectations? If the answer is no, it is time to move to a different scheme to solve the task at hand.
It is pretty rare to find a problem that can only be solved with a single approach. Giving up should be the worst-case scenario; pivoting or altering the way we look at a challenge should be the answer when faced with giving up or not. Design in any medium is an iterative process. Exploring multiple ways to solve the problem is the nature of design in it and of itself.

You never want a solution to feel “mailed in” or simply an exercise of copy-paste from an inspiration generator. Our unique perspectives on problem-solving will ultimately shape the way others interact with our designs. Clients, end-users, and professors alike are looking for our ideas, methodologies, and creativity within our creations. So, leave no stone left unturned when solving a design challenge; the answer to the question is usually right in front of you at the end of the day. Don’t give up; keep going and pivot your design approach.
When faced with giving up or moving forward regarding everyday stresses or a motivational block, giving up seems like the only option; usually, it is just the simplest. However, when we take time to reflect on the trials in our life, a change in perspective can be what helps us face the problem head-on.

Adversity takes many forms; similarly, the key to overcoming challenges may require some changes in your thinking.

For starters staying positive in your mindset can go a long way with overcoming the feeling of giving up, whether it’s more productive, losing weight, or a personal challenge you’ve set for yourself. The key to moving forward is to always chip away at the larger goal with smaller attainable ones. Progression is all about maintaining focus, remember your end goal, and organizer your actions to achieve it.

The struggle with giving up or moving forward in a career sense can seem daunting because it affects many aspects of our lives. However, before giving up on a career goal, you should know if the ambitions you chase are worthwhile. Is this something you are doing because it is your passion, or are you vain about this selfish pursuit? Are you looking at the end result, the accolades, or recognition related to the career? Are you comparing yourself, as a beginner, to experts with years of experience within the same craft? If so, you should probably “give up” on this empty pursuit.

Perspective, discipline, and outlook on your career goals are everything. The ambition shouldn’t be self-fulfilling. Instead, this career should be about the greater good, uplift those who come across your path. Be intentional and determined, focus on the positives, and understand that failure is a part of growing in any career. Many a time, we have heard, “In every loss, there is a lesson.”
Chase a dream or career for a noble pursuit, no matter how big or small. Staying humble and doing for the greater good will ensure you never have to ask yourself, “should I give up” but “how far are am I willing to push myself” to get to the next level or your journey.

In short, when faced with giving up or moving forward, whether in your career, design, or life in general, try to change your perception of the issue. Then, stay positive, focus, and keep going; there is always a silver lining or new beginning on the other side of adversity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Clique Collaborators, aka clique the mag, is a multimedia and design platform for creatives—musicians, poets, architects, and designers. The platform highlights the stories and creatives who make dope, engaging art and designs. The variety of mediums we cover and the different branches set us apart from a traditional art and design blog or magazine. Still, it’s definitely the perspectives of our collaborators and the stories we highlight that set us apart for sure. The platform has three main branches, each with its own means of promoting the creatives we collaborate with.
The Media: The collaboration chamber, this branch is the heart of the platform; everything from graphic design to podcasts and even publications and print media are all created within this tire of clique. The platform hosts two podcasts, which we are currently trying to build a catalog of episodes for, a graphic design lookbook featuring works created for musicians and poets, hoping to expand into more artists in the next year. We also edited, designed, and curated two poetry publications by Fred Gordon, with a third slated to drop in February 2022. These three major works are just some of the media we work with. In addition, we hope to move into more design and fabrication work in the near future, segueing perfectly into the second branch of clique collaborators.
Nomadic Design Concepts: The Design Branch of clique collaborators, we collaborate and create architectural graphics, design competition, and dabble in architectural photography displayed in the “lookin’ up architecture” page on cliquethemag.com. We also publish articles based on past design projects and competitions and create a digital dialogue about architecture history and theory. The pieces were the edifice for how this platform was created, to begin with; while studying architecture, I wanted to find a way to bring music, art, poetry, architecture, and fabrication all under one umbrella.

The Mag
Creating a magazine or blog which showcased our collaborators’ talents and work was a daunting task, but some of our brilliant supporters helped be bring this idea to fruition. The mag blends both the media portion and nomadic design concepts; it ties these two worlds together while grounding itself as the place where every subject clique collaborators covers can live on their own on this digital bookshelf full of blogs, photography, graphics, design, and more.
I am most proud of those who trust clique with their work, whether a graphic for an album or a publication; we greatly appreciate the creatives that have allowed us to highlight their story. This platform is more than the work it displays and curates; it is about the people behind the art, their lives, and what drives their passion.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were in town for a few days, I would take them to a couple of excellent museums; some burritos, and nightlife in Wynwood, then try to find some pop-up exhibit or performance. The Perez Art Museum (PAMM) is one of my favorite spots in Miami. From the various exhibits, the art within the public plazas, to the Architectural depth and richness of the PAMM, I have found an infinite amount of inspirational moments that can be experienced at the museum.
Just down the block is another excellent museum; the Frost Science museum has a multitude of exhibits, interactive learning modules, and overall fascinating areas to explore.
After checking out some of Miami’s finest art, we would have to grab some burritos in Wynwood at The Taco Stand. Hands down the best burrito in Miami. Tons of flavor, fresh ingredients, and a dope atmosphere.
There is no lack of talent in South Florida; finding a pop-up show in Palm Beach, Broward, of Dade county is standard on any weekend. I would tap into whatever local scene within south Florida because you are bound to find several artists or creatives you vibe with.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people to be grateful for. My parents taught me to be respectful, appreciative, determined and focused. They instilled these core values into my sister and me; it shaped how I look at the world and why I owe them so much credit for any success that comes my way because they are the reason for all of it.

I also have to shout out my fiancée; she has been the driving force to so much that I do. This woman helped me become the man I am today; she is determined, driven, and an inspiration for me to do better every day. She champions my passions while also challenging me in the best ways possible. She is one of my favorite people, and I owe her an eternity of gratitude.

Lastly, a couple of my mentors that cannot go without recognition. Both my grandfathers, who we, unfortunately, lost within the last two years. Both of these great men were kind, determined, and all-around loved people. They were both skilled in their craft, one a butch for over 30 years and the other a carpenter from an early age. These men were beloved by their friends, families, and anyone they met. They taught me the value of working with your hands, always looking out for your loved ones, and lastly, sharing a laugh with everyone you meet because you can never have too many friends.

Website: https://cliquethemag.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clique.the.mag/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65678696/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/home

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7uOJ3m2GvUdbyQPfhU43gQ?view_as=subscriber

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LrZCOq1tPxpEsbwJPs2tZ

Image Credits
Moving Forward Graphic: Image Shot by Ramses Terrero; Graphic & Typography by Chris Crocitto