How do you go from making things in PowerPoint as a teenager… to building creative worlds for brands like Netflix, ESPN, and MasterClass?

In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin sits down with creative director and director Jaye Thompson to discuss his journey through design, advertising, storytelling, and creative identity.

From growing up outside Philadelphia to navigating the competitive world of visual communication, Jaye shares how curiosity, experimentation, and relentless creative growth shaped his path into the industry. This conversation explores the realities of agency life, the pressure to prove yourself, the transition into directing music videos, and what it truly means to create work that people feel.

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Jaye opens up about the early struggles of breaking into the industry, couch surfing while chasing opportunities in New York, learning how to balance creativity with sustainability in Los Angeles, and why collaboration is essential to building meaningful work.

The episode also dives deep into world-building, creative philosophy, cultural impact, and the future of storytelling across design, film, and music.

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In This Episode:

• Discovering graphic design through PowerPoint and visual experimentation
• Transitioning from athletics into a creative career
• The realities of agency life and creative burnout
• Building campaigns rooted in emotion and cultural insight
• Why storytelling matters more than aesthetics
• Creative direction, music videos, and world-building
• The importance of collaboration in modern creativity
• Developing confidence and finding your creative voice
• How design can move beyond advertising into culture
• What creative longevity actually requires

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About Jaye Thompson

Jaye Thompson is a Creative Director and Director whose work lives at the intersection of design, film, and culture. His projects span advertising, motion design, music videos, photography, and visual storytelling, with work connected to brands including Netflix, ESPN, MasterClass, The North Face, and more. Through his creative collective Wish You Well, Jaye is focused on experimentation, collaboration, and building emotionally driven creative experiences.

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Subscribe for More

The Art School Graduate Podcast features conversations with artists, designers, filmmakers, and creative leaders sharing real stories about building careers in art, design, culture, and creative industries.

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Follow Jaye Thompson

Website: Jaye Thompson Official Website
Instagram: @jayethompson