Meet Janel Ganceña | Associate Creative Director

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

Hi Janel, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Queens, NY — a living and breathing melting pot of diversity. Looking back, I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by people of different cultures, all from different places, different backgrounds, different perspectives, different styles. I fully recognize that my instinctual desire to show love and kindness to all, comes from the place I’m from.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve worked on a ton of different things in different industries for different platforms. One thing that has stayed at the root of my happiness when it comes to designing — it’s coming up with simple solutions to creative challenges. The process to find that solution usually looks like a bunch of chaotic, scribbly lines that go in every direction. The goal is to always have the final piece look effortless and feel clever. During my process, I ask myself, “How much can I take away until it’s as clear and direct as possible?” This idea of approaching simplicity in a minimal way helps me to focus on the purpose of all elements in a design, that there needs to be relationship between them.

It’s really to how I see life. The things I own should be things that I use, things that I love. The people I choose to surround me should be people who bring me joy, who make me want to be better, who I love, who I want to grow with. All things, all people — having purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I could plan a day around Tampa, it would look like this: – Catch the sunrise Ballast Point
– Grab breakfast at Frankie’s Italian Deli in Riverview (if you know what I mean when I say BECSPK, let’s talk!)
– Stop by Publix to get a chicken tender sub (one of the best things I discovered when I moved to Tampa)
– Bring that sub to Pass-a-Grille Beach and spend a few hours relaxing
– Go to the movies (there’s nothing like movie theater popcorn)
– Dinner at Boulon (order their Warm Butter Cake for dessert — trust me, you won’t regret it)
– Close the night watching the sunset on my building’s rooftop (that golden pink reflection on buildings is magical)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thinking about who has been a big part of shaping my creativity, my heart, and my mind — my professor and mentor from college is who comes to mind, Eli Kince. My first day of Intro to Typography, he asked us to stand on our desk if we were excited to be there. I stepped on my chair. I stood on my desk. Alone. That was the beginning of one of the most impactful relationships I’ve had.

Eli Kince taught me a lot of things. About typography. About attention to detail. About intentionality. About perception. About forgiveness. About faith. About life. About love. Just thinking about what I’ve learned from him makes me emotional. I’ve always hoped that one day he’d know how he changed my life. That it’s because of him that I am who I am creatively and as a human being.

Website: https://www.janelgancena.com/

Instagram: @janel.gancena

Image Credits
@cv_milo