Marybeth LEDESMA

What was your very first job?

I started out as an office assistant in one of the buildings at my university. I remember putting a little too much effort into the weekly bulletin boards.

Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.

I’m part of a team that comes up with ideas and creative platforms for clients who are eager to break their category and influence culture. As an art director, one of the things I’m responsible for is visually bringing the the work to life. So I try to let various inspirations influence my process in order to create something that’s moving and different.

How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? What was there train of events that brought you to where you are today?

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was definitely influenced by the women who raised me. Someone was always making a dress, learning a new song on the piano or drawing. But what also drew me to a creative industry was watching a lot of MTV. The music, set design, directing style, choreography and even bumpers–always had me glued to the tv. I heard about VCU Brandcenter and was intrigued by the program. After attending and learning a lot, I was lucky enough to intern at TBWA\Chiat\Day and W+K as well as a small shop before ending up at Droga. 

In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?

The beautiful thing about New York is there’s always something to be inspired from. Sometimes I even carry a camera around because I see so many good colors, lights and shadows on my way to work. I also try to keep up with the latest exhibits, art shows and movies. If I catch myself looking at my phone for too long, I put it away and look at what’s around me. There’s always something to see that could be applied to what I’m working on.

If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry “success,” what would it be?

I’m proud of all my work, but the one piece that still resonates with me is actually a student project that went viral called the Museum of Endangered Sounds. The project catalogued all the sounds of technology that are going extinct especially the ones we know from the 90s (like dial-up). It spoke to so many people from all around the world. This project made an impact on me because it made me realize the simplicity of a sound can hold so much meaning to someone and can be so strongly tied to a memory.