Tate Yotter

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD?

I'm originally from River Falls, Wisconsin. I took some time off after high school and found MCAD when I was doing research of various art schools in the twin cities.

Why did you decide to major in comic art?

It was either going to be that or animation. I chose comic art because I enjoyed the students in the program. There's a big sense of community amongst the comics kids.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Zak Sally. He's a good dude with a wealth of knowledge. He figured stuff out the hard way and tells it to you straight. It's almost embarrassing how bad some of my art was at school and Zak was able to constructively critique the work in a way that made you feel like you had the tools to do better next time. Jim Keefe said once that you have to get the bad art out of your system and school was the best place to do that. I didn't find my stride until Advanced Comics Seminar but once I did everything clicked into place after years of struggling. Zak was a solid advisor through all of it. There are things that he taught us that still resonate with me today.

Describe your internship(s).

My internship was a unique experience. I worked on a team with Ed Charbonneau creating a mural in his studio to be installed at Medtronics Headquarters. It was a brief detour as I was still unsure of what my career path was going to be after school. But it was an amazing way to spend a summer. Ed was a good leader and critical thinker. I enjoyed learning how he operated in his studio and apply some of his practices into my own work. It was also one of my first collaborations and team experiences.

Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way?

Yes and no. Does anything prepare you for life after graduation? As a non-traditional student I had already experienced living and working before going back to school. And I struggled for a while to find my footing after graduation. I think that it's daunting going out into the world and trying to find work in your field. It can be made all the more daunting with the added pressure of student loans. I wish that high school and college had mandatory classes to help you understand what student debt looks like and how it can affect you after school. That being said, I don't regret my decision to go to MCAD. But I encourage kids to do everything they can to seek out grants and scholarships. Even if they're small, every little bit helps. It's challenging enough trying to make a living as an artist. We need to be better financially prepared for those challenges.

How do you feel about the Twin Cities?

Minneapolis has an amazing music scene. It's also a great destination for the arts. There are many theaters and museums. It's also one of the most bike friendly cities in the U.S. I think that opportunities continue to grow for artists in the Twin Cities. I lived there for about ten years and have found that what makes the Twin Cities so special is its size. It's large enough to afford opportunity but small enough to feel like a community.

Describe what you do for work and how you feel about it.

I work as a senior product designer for the Enesco Burbank office in California. We work closely with licensors like Disney, Warner Brothers, and Pusheen to create collectibles and home decor items. I design a wide array of products such as Disney Princess stylized figurines, Harry Potter collectibles, and DC and Pusheen tabletop decor for fans to enjoy. I've been with this company for over six years and have grown as a designer in my time here. I started in our Minnesota office and recently transferred to our California office. I also freelance as a children's book illustrator in addition to creating personal work for my website and collective. Overall I enjoy being a product designer. As a comic art graduate it's not something I saw for myself but as comics can be unstable I appreciate the stability being a salaried employee affords. Our creative department operates as a collective and that's something I missed after leaving MCAD. As artists, so much of what we do is done in isolation and I like being a part of a team that has regular art reviews and brainstorms.

How did you get your job?

Through a friend and fellow MCAD alum. The people you go to school with can be your best resource for future employment. The product design community in Minneapolis is relatively small. There are only a handful of companies and it helps to start building a rapport with your fellow students.

What inspires you/your work?

My friends are a massive source of inspiration. Their work continually inspires me. I also follow artists on social media and am constantly trying to refill my well. It's difficult to feel inspired when working full-time and freelancing. So when I do work on my own stuff I try to think less about the final piece and just enjoy the process of being free to create without restriction.

What advice do you have for current MCAD students and/or artists at the beginning of their creative careers?

Be kind to yourself. If you're not where you want to be or if you feel like you're operating at a different pace than your peers, it's ok. As long as you're taking steps forward, even tiny little baby steps, you will reach your ultimate goal. Don't be in too much of a rush. I think artists put so much pressure on themselves and it leads to self-doubt and loathing. I encourage students to take a deep breath and be ok moving at a slower pace.

How do you network yourself and your art?

A website is massively important. Instagram is a huge resource. If you follow an artist and you really enjoy their work, reach out to them. Direct them back to your page or ask if you can send them your art for a quick critique. It's been my experience that most artists will encourage others. We're a community that enjoys giving and receiving feedback. All you can do is ask.

Current obsession?

Zip ties. Manage your chords, people.

Your biggest takeaway from MCAD?

MCAD taught me how to move on from a bad critique. We've all had them. As long as you can hear and understand the feedback and apply it to your next project you'll always evolve. No artist should look back at a piece they did last year and say, "Yeah, it's still perfect!" It's important that we continue to learn and grow as artists. I think MCAD did a pretty good job of calling me out and challenging me to do better.