Today we’d like to introduce you to Baxter Orr
Hi Baxter, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Indiana, and I always felt restless. I always wanted to follow a different path and see what was out there for myself. I attended Indiana Wesleyan University, a great school, and met many lifelong friends from IWU! In 2013, I was super weary of the Corporate Design churn and burn, so I ventured out alone. It was a prolonged process of going independent; it took a lot of trust in a higher power and myself, but I always felt like it was the only way I could have the life I wanted. Pre-C19, I had the best life; I would spend Fall in NYC for a few months and Winter in Savannah, GA, or Austin, TX. Then, after the grand adventure, I would return to Indiana and spend quality time with my family. One of the best parts of being an independent designer is the ability to work remotely and roam free for months on end. I wouldn’t trade those years for the world.
2020 was a shocker for all of us, and we were forced to reach deep inside and ask ourselves what we truly wanted for our lives. I was tired of the Midwest and those long, gray winters. So, in 2021, I packed up and moved to Savannah, Georgia. This place is filled with unique, creative, and fringe people. I am no longer the oddball like I was in the Midwest.
You can find me designing in my favorite coffee shops, Origin Coffee, Foxy Loxy, and Gallery Espresso, to name a few. I also spend much time outside in all the beautiful parks here. That’s why I love living here so much; it’s lovely, there is great weather, and there is always someone new and exciting to meet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having your own small business in this corporate hellscape is remarkably challenging, but having been treated so poorly by most corporations where I worked full-time, I had no say in the matter. The self-employed rhythm is challenging; you’re always either killing it or surviving, and there is no middle ground. The flexibility and independence make it worth it, but your business lives and dies by you alone, so you must move forward humbly and gratefully.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Commercially, I have found a lovely spot with high-level presentation design and data visualization; I do high-end presentations for companies like American Express, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, and Starbucks. Creatively, I am always working on something to keep myself fresh; I have a few series going. I recently just hit #150 on my “100 Muses” series www.baxterorr.com/muse100 and am actively creating interesting AI concepts: www.baxterorr.com/aiart. I am known for my colorful and fun style. Follow my work at www.baxterpop.com or on Instagram @baxterpop ✨
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
This is a tough one; AI is a real threat. I don’t think it will kill off the entire thing, but it will take jobs; the people who survive will have their design mantra/style and be high-level with the emerging tech. I keep saying you don’t hire an interior designer because you can’t afford furniture; you pay them for their expertise and ability to produce results. Art and Quality will prevail no matter how it is created.
Pricing:
- If you need this type of work feel free to email me through my website!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.baxterorr.com
- Instagram: baxterpop
- Twitter: baxterpopx
