Lauren Rascoe is the definition of a Renaissance woman! As an actress, writer, graphic designer, and more, she embodies the quintessential spirit of exploration as a creative. Recently, she has had the pleasure of working on the branding and messaging with the amazing RUNWAY. In this interview, Lauren shares her experiences of finding her creative path and working with bombilla.

Tell us about your creative path.

My creative career path has been literally created along the way due to my curiosity. Growing up in Indiana, where there is a tendency to push young professionals towards careers in STEM, I felt there was a lack of space and access to opportunities that allowed creatives, like myself, to explore and navigate what a successful creative career looked like. Growing up, I was into arts and crafts, jewelry making, fashion, nail art, was a musician (piano/saxophone), dancer, in the color guard, etc. However, I thought I was going to be a doctor because it was the practical career path to choose. Thanks to Grey’s Anatomy and realizing I wasn’t game to hold someone else’s life in my hands during my senior year of high school, I decided to explore my true passion of being a creative.

Thanks to Grey’s Anatomy and realizing I wasn’t game to hold someone else’s life in my hands during my senior year of high school, I decided to explore my true passion of being a creative.

I studied Visual Communication Design and Experience Design in undergrad at the University of Indianapolis and immediately went to get my Master of International Marketing degree from Hult International Business School. After completing that degree, I worked at Eastern Star Church as the Communications Coordinator for three and a half years before moving to Oakland to work at YR Media as the National Network Coordinator. Within that 10 year window that brought me to this present day, I have explored many creative outlets. I am now an author, experience designer, graphic designer, event planner, podcaster, fashionista, fitness junkie, international marketer, model, actress, motivational speaker, poet, world traveler, and then some.

What kind of design projects do you most enjoy working on?

I really enjoy working on branding projects and helping people tell their stories. To me, it’s a happy marriage of flexing my graphic design and marketing skills, but also a chance to explore the best way to communicate the narrative and really lean into the magic of experience design. I love being able to help people get lost in the experience of a brand, the same way we get lost in movies or books. It’s really an exciting thing to do.

What makes bombilla stand out from other creative workplaces?

To me, Bombilla really is a community. It doesn’t feel like a corporate design agency setting, but a movement we all get to choose to be a part of. I think the atmosphere of collaboration, connection, and creativity just pours out of the seams and makes it feel like such a welcoming and powerful environment to be in. I love that I get to work with some of the dopest creators and how we get to use our gifts and talents to help those organizations and clients that are making real change in the world. I love how we all get to rise to the occasion to be lit on purpose and show up as our best, whole selves. It’s restorative and releases the pressures of upholding the “corporate” status quo that is inhumane and inflexible. This environment reminds me of what cool things “I get to do” vs. the heavy feeling of “what I have to do.”

To me, Bombilla really is a community...it’s restorative and releases the pressures of upholding the “corporate” status quo that is inhumane and inflexible. This environment reminds me of what cool things “I get to do” vs. the heavy feeling of “what I have to do.”

Tell me about a memorable experience with any of the different clients bombilla has worked for.

I’ve only had one project so far, but I have LOVED working with RUNWAY in partnership with Ivi and Aaron Joseph from Identafire.  Getting to know this client and their work has been inspirational.  I was extremely nervous working on the messaging guide, because a lot of what they’re doing is innovative and had yet to have words that could completely convey where they are and where they are going.  It was a lot of work to get to the root and then build out a brand story that made sense for RUNWAY, but it came together beautifully and I was so grateful to add my perspective and gifts to this piece of the rebrand.  I’m excited for the way RUNWAY will tell their story and am confident that anyone who has the pleasure to connect with them will buy-in to the movement instantly.

It was a lot of work to get to the root and then build out a brand story that made sense for RUNWAY, but it came together beautifully

What's the last song you played?

Well, Frank by Alina Baraz is currently playing. But prior to it starting, Hi by Erykah Badu

What has the global pandemic taught you?

The pandemic has taught me that I am the most ambitious person I know and that my curiosity and creativity know no bounds. I’ve explored so many different creative interests since we’ve been home.  It has made me really lean into my natural abilities which has been so therapeutic and empowering. To be this young, this talented, and Black has reminded me I have so much to give and I’m excited to see what other realized dreams I can bring to the world.

To be this young, this talented, and Black has reminded me I have so much to give and I’m excited to see what other realized dreams I can bring to the world.

What advice would you give to someone that’s starting a career in the creative field?

You don’t have to choose one path or one medium. A lot of people tried to get me to choose one thing, but I’ve found over the length of my career that my curiosity and ambition led me into some cool opportunities that have helped make me a more well-rounded creative. Don’t be afraid to try new things or to fail. All the endeavors eventually make for good stories and cool flashbacks.

You don’t have to choose one path or one medium...Don’t be afraid to try new things or to fail. All the endeavors eventually make for good stories and cool flashbacks.

Shoutout to our 2020 fall intern Yandia Miñana Pérez for conducting this interview!