Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Iby.
Nick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was going through a tough time in my life a couple years ago and I turned to drawing to get my mind off of all the emotions and thoughts I had running through my head. I spent around 10-12 hours working on one drawing and when I finished I decided to hang it up on my wall. I didn’t feel better after my first drawing so I produced about a dozen more drawings and hung them up on my dorm room wall at college. When friends came into my room they ouu’d and aww’d at my drawings and my roommate gave me the idea to make big prints of my drawings and helped me launch a website. The name “Adfectu” translates into “real feelings” and that is what my work is… my real feelings poured onto paper. Sadly, the prints did not sell but one day as I went to the school cafeteria, a friend of mine pulled me aside and asked if I could draw a daisy with my designs on it and if it could go on a phone case. So I did, and she bought my first ever phone case. Then another friend suggested putting the daisy onto a tank top and then I sold my first tank top. From there, I listened to friends and family to what designs I should make and what to put them on.
After multiple drawings and ideas, I had quite the portfolio of drawings and basically leads us up to now. I offer t-shirts, long sleeves, sweatshirts, tank tops, phone cases, pillows, hats, leggings, baseball tees, and as of the last week as I’m writing this I have BATHING SUITS, SPORTS BRAS, and WORKOUT SHORTS! (As you can tell I’m quite excited). All products have custom hand-made designs on them. I am continuing to expand and looking forward to see what else is down the road. I have also taken my drawing skills to other mediums other than clothes.
Has it been a smooth road?
For me, it has been a smooth road because of my personality. I am a very easy-going guy and so when things would not sell or whatever the case may be, I just move forward. I am a very good listener and observer and just take into consideration to what people want or like. One thing I do struggle with is marking up my prices to my products, I just feel bad asking for money or to put a high price on a product. I didn’t start this to make money, I started drawing as a form of therapy. So I would say the only struggle I have is in creating prices for my products. One quote I really like is “the obstacle is the way”. You never grow by walking down an easy path, you grow and get stronger by climbing over adversity/challenges.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Adfectu Artwork – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
There are four branches off of Adfectu. The first branch, I put my hand drawn designs on shirts, tank tops, long sleeves, baseball tees, sweatshirts, phone cases, pillows, hats, swimwear, leggings and yoga shorts. I am pretty much known for my “doodles” or the random patterns I incorporate onto all of my designs. The second branch is freelance work. I take my doodles to murals, shoes, skateboards, surfboards, corn hole boards, cups, pumpkins and really whatever I can get my hands onto. The third branch is modeling. I have been the main male model for all of my clothes and have been exploring the world of modeling more and more. The last branch is YouTube. If you search “Adfectu Artwork” on YouTube you will see all of my projects from start to finish. These projects include my surfboard, behind the scenes of my photo shoots and how my drawings come to life.
I think I am most proud of the freelance work I do. When I draw on peoples shoes or boards that is something no one else has. They now have custom one of kind products that they cherish forever (or at least I hope they cherish). Wearing a t-shirt with my designs on it is cool but it is really cool to have your whole wall with my designs on it. Like I said, it is something people cannot really duplicate.
That goes into what sets me apart. I doubt there are other people that would spend 12+ hours on a piece of paper just doodling. Not even like I am drawing a face or anything crazy, just random intricate doodles. I think that is something that sets me apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I like best about Boston is the collaborations. I have been able to meet so many like-minded people from models to photographers to graphic designers that has been able to contribute to the growth of Adfectu.
One thing I don’t like is just the traffic and getting to Boston and finding a place to park. I know that sounds like a generic answer but it’s true. Whenever I have a photoshoot or something in Boston I dread getting into the city.
Pricing:
- Clothing ranges anywhere from $20 to $47
- Freelance hourly wage is $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Adfectu.com
- Email: AdfectuArtwork@Gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adfectu_artwork/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Adfectu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdfectuArtwork
- Other: https://goo.gl/pLPbqe
Image Credit:
Alex Iby, Marc Klaus, Grace Peters, Nicole Marcelli, Jamie Steckler, Greta Duvenhage, Arienna Waters, Jon Sutton, Jason Matses
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
