Rising Stars: Meet Jose Duran of El Mirage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Duran

Hi Jose, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Like many artists, my journey began in childhood, captivated by the magic of a few simple marks on a page. But the moment that truly set me on my illustrative path was one of both tragedy and inspiration—the passing of my father. I was six when he took his own life, but before he left, he drew me something unforgettable: an eagle, wings spread wide, with my name arched and nestled within them. He etched it onto a mirror. I remember staring at it, mesmerized by the fierce determination in the eagle’s form and the elegance of the lettering. It was more than just a drawing; it was a connection.

A few years earlier, my father had taught my sister and me how to draw a Stussy-style “S,” and after his death, I became obsessed with creating an entire alphabet based on that single letter. I was drawn to typography in a way I couldn’t explain. By the time I was 13, that fascination led me to the world of graffiti. The chaotic energy, the vibrant colors, and the freedom of spray paint became my entire world. I lived and breathed it. By the time I entered high school, I knew—without a doubt—that art was my calling.

Throughout high school, I took every art class available, honing my skills under the guidance of my teacher, Mr. Glover. He was a master of multiple mediums—colored pencils, oil pastels, stippling, painting—and I soaked up everything he taught me. Portraits became a passion of mine, and in junior year, I ventured into digital art in my media production class. Before I knew it, I had designed the Media Tech Club’s T-shirt. Seeing my artwork printed on a shirt was electrifying. Graffiti had given me the hunger to see my work everywhere, and design was proving to be no different. When my school got a direct-to-garment printer, I started designing T-shirts regularly. That’s when I knew graphic design was my future—except, at the time, I didn’t even know what “graphic design” was.

Then, just a week before graduating high school, my life took an unexpected turn—I found out I was going to be a father. At 18, I was overwhelmed. I had no roadmap, no clear path forward, but I made a promise to myself: my son would have a better life than I did. Determined to keep art in my future, I turned to Google, searching something vague like, “What to study to make T-shirt art?” That’s when I stumbled upon the Art Institute of Phoenix and the phrase “Discover a career in graphic design.” I had to Google “What is graphic design?”—I wish I were kidding. But by September, I was enrolled and fully immersed in a world of creativity and learning.

College wasn’t easy. Juggling full-time work, school, and fatherhood meant many sleepless nights, but I was relentless. Over three years, I worked countless jobs—managing at El Pollo Loco, a short stint as a security guard, and then diving into the call center grind. It tested me, but with grit, determination, and a whole lot of caffeine, I made it through. One of my proudest moments was looking into my son’s eyes, diploma in hand, knowing I had done it—graduating with a 3.45 GPA against all odds.

After college, I landed a job at U-Haul as a staff artist, but the work didn’t fulfill me. I wanted to create big campaigns, but I wasn’t sure how to break in. That’s when I decided to take on the Inktober challenge in 2016. Though I didn’t finish the entire month, the work I produced strengthened my portfolio. That effort—and a good word from a good friend—led me to O.H. Partners, where I started as a junior graphic designer. Over five years, I worked with clients like the Arizona Lottery, Eegee’s, Harkins, and Gila River Casinos. I honed my skills, grew as an illustrator, and climbed the ranks to Jr. Art Director—a milestone I had dreamed of achieving.

In 2022, with a heavy heart, I left O.H. Partners and joined Sunday Goods and The Pharm. Here, I had the incredible opportunity to rebrand The Pharm and launch three new brands. Packaging design, in particular, became a passion—it combined all my skills into one dynamic medium. Every day, I get to design, illustrate, and create for a living. From spray-painting walls as a teenager to designing packaging and brand identities, I’m living the dream I fought for.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I believe that if the road were always smooth, the journey wouldn’t be as meaningful. Struggle has been a constant in my life, but I’ve always found a way to turn it into motivation and inspiration.

As a child, my father battled addiction, which forced my mother to flee for her safety. We moved from shelter to shelter, and if it weren’t for those resources, we would have been completely homeless. Experiencing such hardship at a young age humbled me, but it also ignited a fire in me—I knew I wanted more from life. I didn’t just want to work to survive; I wanted to create a life where my work gave me purpose.

From experiencing homelessness as a child to navigating college while balancing fatherhood and a full-time job, every struggle has been a part of my journey. And in the end, those challenges have only made my path more meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Art Director, Graphic Designer, and Illustrator with a deep love for letters and cartoons. There’s something captivating about typography—the way a simple adjustment in height, weight, or flourish can completely change the mood of a letterform. A single “A” can be happy, bold, or even eerie, depending on its styling. Experimenting with these nuances is a passion of mine, but what I love most is blending typography with my cartoon illustrations.

My unique cartoon drawings pull from a variety of influences, particularly vintage 1940s animations and the Saturday morning cartoons I grew up watching. I love how wildly expressive cartoons can be, and bringing that energy into my work—especially when combined with typography—feels like magic. The way these two styles merge and come to life is something I never get tired of.

Beyond illustration, I specialize in package design, and one of my favorite things to do is create small mockups of my designs to visualize them in their final form. Watching an idea evolve from concept to fully realized product is an incredible experience—it’s like planting a seed and watching it grow into a towering tree. I don’t just design packaging; I craft the entire campaign that follows, ensuring that every detail aligns seamlessly.

I’m deeply passionate about my work, often losing myself in the creative process for hours on end to perfect even the smallest details. What sets me apart is my relentless pursuit of excellence—”good enough” is never an option. I always push myself to the extreme, even if it means putting in extra time and effort. This ambition and hustle have driven me throughout my career, and last year, all that hard work culminated in one of my proudest achievements: winning three gold awards for package design and illustration at the American Advertising Awards. That moment was proof that my dedication had truly paid off—and it only fuels me to keep pushing further.

What’s next?
My vision for the future is simple: to keep creating amazing things. It might sound straightforward, but at the core of everything I do, that’s what drives me—I just love making cool stuff. Whether it’s illustration, design, or something entirely new, I thrive on the process of bringing ideas to life.

My next big venture is diving into screen printing. I’m gearing up to transform my garage into a fully functional screen-printing space, allowing me to print my own posters, T-shirts, and anything else I can dream up. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about having complete creative control—from design to production—all from my own home. Later this year, I hope to start selling my designs, bringing my art directly to people in a tangible way.

What makes this especially exciting is that designing and selling my own T-shirts was the dream that first set me on this path. Now, after years of learning, growing, and refining my craft, I’m finally in a position to make it happen from the ground up. It’s a full-circle moment—one that feels both nostalgic and like the start of something even bigger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jdurancreative.com
• Instagram: @jdurandesigns