About Iquanthe designer, artist and entrepreneur
I’m an Art Director, Creative Director, and designer with more than 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations bring their ideas to life. As the Founder of The Artoholiks, a multidisciplinary studio based in Union, NJ, I partner with nonprofits, community groups, and social enterprises to translate ideas into thoughtful visual identities and campaigns. My work blends strategy, storytelling, and design to build brands that inspire action, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact.
My Mission
My mission is to help everyday people bring their dreams to life through the power of visual storytelling. From sketch to concept, logo to color system, and eventually into shops, restaurants, and streets — I aim to turn ideas into living, breathing brands. As an artist, Art Director, and Creative Director, visual communication isn’t just my craft — it’s my calling. I’m driven to share that passion and skill with people who want to create meaningful, culturally rooted work for their communities and the world around them.
Life Outside of Design
Born and raised in Newark, NJ, I came of age in the heart of 90s inner-city culture—a time that shaped my creative curiosity, work ethic, and love for storytelling. Brands like Nike & Wu Tang and icons like Deion Sanders & Tommy Hilfiger inspired me to create my own IPs long before I understood what branding truly was. Those early years pushed me to look beyond my neighborhood, to draw what I dreamed, and to stay open to new places, people, and ideas. That same curiosity continues to fuel my art, my approach to design, and the way I move through the world today.
Today, I share that journey with my wife—one of the best marketers I know, our three amazing kids, and our pup, Jamison. Together, we run a small creative studio where we host events, pop-ups, and make cool things happen for our community. When I’m not designing, I’m leading my 10-year-old flag football group, doodling every day, cheering for the Chiefs, or watching YouTube videos about travel, mindful living, and productivity.
How I got Here
Post College — Learning the Business of Design
Right out of junior college, my friends and I jumped headfirst into starting a design business. We were young, hungry, and ready to work — and we got busy fast. We designed flyers, menus, websites, and marketing materials for schools, restaurants, small businesses, and party promoters.
Not long after, I landed an internship at a small local marketing agency, where the owner became a mentor. He taught me the business side of design — process, pricing, selling, and how to manage teams. Those early years taught me a hard lesson: the client base we were serving wasn’t sustainable. We had 100 clients and were making no money. Eventually, I realized we needed to seek clients who had actual marketing budgets if we wanted to grow.
Mid-Career — Real Life Practice
My friends and I decided to pause the business and get real agency experience. I landed a hybrid intrapreneur role at a Newark agency called Tritonic. My job was a mix of business development, project management, and design. I sold work, brought in clients, collaborated with their design team, and worked alongside the owners to build the business.
We served the City of Newark, the Mayor’s Office, major nonprofits, and charter schools — and it was here that I truly solidified myself as a creative who could run a studio. I learned how to manage teams, close deals, lead projects, and still get my hands dirty designing. For the first time, clients trusted me not just with their creative work, but with their business goals.
Creative Direction Era — Leadership, Scale & Vision
By 2015, after working at two agencies, I was ready to start over. I rebuilt The Artoholiks from the ground up, and within three years we were selling over $600K in creative projects. We grew from a two-person shop to a seven-person studio, managing long-term creative retainers and delivering hundreds of projects.
In 2020, I wanted a new challenge — something that would push my creative leadership beyond client service. I took a full-time role at MoCaFi, becoming their first Creative Director. My goal was to challenge my norms, work closely with leadership, and focus on producing my best creative work without the constant pressure of sales, overhead, and staffing.
After five years inside a fast-growing fintech, I’m ready to bring everything I’ve learned… Agency grit, entrepreneurial drive, and creative direction at scale — back into the world of brands, agencies, and organizations that want thoughtful, impactful design.
Testimonials
Aleesha Smalls
Marketing Director, Scotch Porter
“ Collaborating with Iquan & his team has been a breath of fresh air. They consistently bring original ideas, unexpected perspectives, and a truly unique artistic lens to every project we’ve partnered on. Iquan is resourceful, accessible, and deeply intentional—always taking the time to walk through the ‘why’ behind each recommendation. They make the entire process seamless, inspiring, and authentically collaborative. ”
Evin Mitchell
Product Manager, MoCaFi
“ It was a pleasure working with Iquan. Even when the work got stressful, he knew how to make space for fun. He brought great energy, fresh perspective, and wasn’t afraid to challenge the team creatively or culturally to make the work stronger. ”
Aaron Brown
Art Director, The Artoholiks
“ Running the studio with Iquan really showed me what true teamwork feels like. I trusted him completely to handle his side, which gave me the space to do my best. What meant the most was his constant support, his drive to build something meaningful, and the way he always pushed to make the studio better. He’s incredibly selfless and always made everyone feel seen, included, and appreciated. ”
Andres Jimenez
Creative Founder, Tritonic
“ When we hired Iquan at Tritonic, we got a young designer who was eager to learn, grow, and contribute. He was willing to jump into any role the agency needed on any given day. His versatility made him a true swiss-army knife, and we trusted him with key relationships and major responsibilities. He quickly became a valuable part of what we were building. ”
How I Work
Design With Purpose
I create with intention — every choice must serve the story, the audience, and the bigger mission.
Worldly
I draw inspiration from culture, travel, and real people — grounding my work in authenticity and global perspective.
Trust & Collaboration
I build environments where ideas flow freely, egos stay low, and trust leads to better work.
Growth
I stay curious, stay learning, and stay evolving — both as a creative and as a leader.
Youthful
I bring energy, optimism, and play into the process, keeping the work fresh and forward-thinking.
