Today we’d like to introduce you to Averey Homer
Hi Averey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Averey Homer, and I am a Newport, Rhode Island native who just relocated to the Boston area in September. In 2022, I graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Graphic Design.
I come from a long line of healthcare workers and would’ve been a fourth-generation nurse in my family… Unfortunately, biology and chemistry courses have never been my strong suit. I have always taken more of a creative approach than a scientific one.
I have been lucky enough to spend my summers renting in downtown Newport with my friends. As someone who appreciates and values design, I always aim to make every space I live in warm, welcoming, and fun. I’ve achieved this by collecting artwork and prints I’ve spent hours doom-scrolling for on places like Pinterest and Etsy.
This past year, I had the revelation that as a graphic design minor, I have the software and capabilities to make my own artwork to display in my home. This led me to create my very first print, my Newport Matchbox print.
I took all my favorite spots in town and photoshopped their logos onto matchboxes—something so simple but timeless that I could use again and again.
After sharing my framed Newport design with friends and family, a handful of them inquired about buying one or commissioning me to create another for a different location. This led me to create my Nantucket Matchbox print and my Montauk Matchbox print.
Today, I am proud to say that my artwork hangs in over 400 homes worldwide, and is also being sold in multiple stores and boutiques on the East Coast. I started my very own Etsy Store in January of this year and currently have over 50 active listings, all with 5-star reviews. I also offer buyers the ability to choose a customizable matchbox option, where buyers can personalize their own print, or give their loved ones the gift of timeless memories featuring all of their favorite places—a keepsake they can cherish forever.
This journey has also led me to start my own brand, Coastal Ave Design. Along with my Etsy store, I now freelance as a Graphic Designer. I have assisted dozens of successful businesses with Brand Identity, Logo Design, and Social Media Marketing.
Using my creativity and skills to make artwork for others has been such
a fulfilling and rewarding experience. I love being able to take someone’s vision and translate it into a beautiful piece of art that resonates with them and their own brand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working as a freelance Graphic Designer and being able to work one-on-one with client’s has been amazing, but of course, with any trade, comes with its own set of challenges. Since creating my brand, I have had to learn how to navigate what a client is looking for, specifically regarding custom orders or branding. I’ve had the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients, which has been such an incredibly rewarding experience for me as a new designer.
However, as effective communication and deadline management are crucial when working closely with clients, It can be a balancing act to ensure that each client’s vision is understood and brought to life in a way that aligns with their brand identity. Despite the hurdles, the joy of bringing someone’s vision to life through design makes it all worthwhile.
Navigating the online marketplace of my Etsy store and standing out among numerous other sellers has also been a new learning experience. Managing inventory of my work, shipping logistics, and customer inquiries while trying to create unique and beautiful artwork has been a juggling act. Still, it’s all part of bringing your art to the world!
I have had to navigate finding the right pricing strategy to remain competitive while still ensuring a fair return on my work. As I previously mentioned, I was recently on the opposite end of where I am now—I was a broke college student searching for the right artwork that would go with my then aesthetic while also not breaking the bank. I want my work to be obtainable to everyone.
Pricing:
- Small Print: $40
- Medium Print: $50
- Large Print: $65
Contact Info:
- Website: https://avereyhomer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastalavedesign/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/coastalavedesign/?etsrc=sdt
