Lewis Jacobs
Design Lord / Art Director / Founder of Panella Bread Co.
San Francisco, CA
mrjacobs.design
instagram @panellabread.co / @mrjacobs.design
Q What do you do?
“I’m a designer/art director and artist focusing on branding and self improvement.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I worked my butt off. Nah, I studied design initially at FIDM and then at CSUEB (nothing glamorous) to get my BA. I've been drawing, dancing, and solving problems my whole life, but I didn't get to where I'm at as a designer simply by being creative. I had to heal to believe I could achieve more than I thought someone with my history could.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I love being creative. Design is only one aspect of creative expression. I also dance, paint, write and dabble in photography. Also, I can adapt to any style market, designing is problem-solving, and I have extensive experience solving problems in many fields.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm working on a brand called Panella Bread Co. It's a lifestyle/clothing brand, and sorry, we currently don't make bread. Its mission is “To feed my people. {My people are those with eyes to see and ears to hear.}”
We are doing this by creating, sharing, and telling stories that plant seeds of hope and inspiration through art and design. It's still very much in its infancy, so stay tuned!
Many brands need more authenticity at their core. Yes, they're businesses, but it should be more than that. I want the things I create to inspire others to be all they can be (this isn't an Army endorsement).
Q What’s your style?
My style is bold, colorful, and often introspective. I use a variety of techniques to create work that is both visually striking and thought-provoking. My personal work often explores themes of mental health, identity, and the human condition.
A project representing that is my "I'm OK" series of illustrations and poems. It's very personal, but it lets others know there is hope and that they aren't alone in w/ever they're going through.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I enjoy branding but would love to dabble in film and work more in the fashion industry.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I've been doing everything for Panella Bread Co. and Mr.Jacobs LLC. It's a lot for a single person, so marketing usually lands at the bottom of the to-do list.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Fix my car. Mechanics are expensive, and I don't feel like doing some jobs. My current project, a BMW e34 wagon, needs its head gasket replaced, and I don't want to tackle it, but will do so eventually.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would tell myself after graduating college, "You are more capable than you see. Behind the fog is a whole world to grasp." At that time, my world was so small. I didn't believe much in myself and what I could achieve. I was floating along the river of life with no clear direction.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Business strategy. Being creative is one thing, but owning a company/business is a different beast.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'd love to work in the CPG space doing packaging and branding and collaborate with some fashion brands.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
The ideal client doesn't exist, but the ideal collaboration would be with old friends I grew up with. We were all creative, and it'd be awesome to come together after all these years and make something we could not even imagine ourselves.
Q What is your rate?
We will have to talk it through. Rates and budget ranges vary depending on my availability with work and life. Let's chat; we'll figure something out.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Shoot me an email, or go through my contact form.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Priscilla Scott. She's a top-tier creative director who can create inspiring experiences and build up those around her.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I dance like someone is watching but I don't care.
This member profile was originally published in July 2023