Imagine this; you have spent thousands of dollars to earn a bachelor’s degree. Then, while still in school earning that degree, you start applying the exact skills acquired in the classroom to launch a passion project that could very well prosper into a lifelong career. That is exactly what two WSU Vancouver students have done.
“I don’t think we realize, right now – 2018, is the greatest time to make stuff, to be alive, to be successful,” said Brady Lewis, a junior integrated strategic communication major, minoring in film studies, who launched a clothing brand last November.
“I want to motivate those kids who have amazing passions, but just need a fire lit underneath them.”
Brady Lewis
The brand, Norstar, features t-shirts, crewnecks, socks and beanies influenced by Lewis’ creativity and technical skills learned at WSU Vancouver. Lewis said he had the idea for the brand four years ago and since then has built up capital to invest in his dream.
He explained how in his first year at WSU he enrolled in random classes in hopes of finding an education direction. He learned storytelling in a film class and content creation in a communication class, both aiding him in establishing his brand.
“Rather than [communications and film studies] to be my future, they assist in what I’m already doing (Norstar), which will help my future,” Lewis said about his classes helping him establish Norstar.
The brand is named after Norstar Street in Ridgefield, Wash. where Lewis grew up. “I want to take something that is known, which is Norstar, the street I’ve lived on ever since I was a kid, and flipping it creatively, turning it into different things,” Lewis said.
Briar Anderson, a senior digital technology and culture major was the first artist whose work was featured with Norstar. “I created most of the graphics [such as “Briar’s Collage” and “Lit Rose” design graphics] featured on the first batch of clothing items. I’ve gotten to work with Brady [Lewis] on conceptualizing ideas for clothes and help his vision come to life,” Anderson said.
Anderson said her DTC coursework has helped a lot in her role with Norstar. “I’ve been able to learn a lot of technical skills and programs like Photoshop and Illustrator,” she explained. “On a larger scale, the courses in my major have taught me a lot about how to complete big projects, collaborate and use creative ideas in practical ways, and I think I’ve been able to utilize all of those skills with Norstar as well.”
Currently, Lewis is the owner and only employee of Norstar. Aside from the design work, done by both Anderson and Lewis, Lewis executes the behind-the-scenes business, such as planning collaborations with artists in other mediums, making sure orders are filled smoothly and staying up-to-date with the shopify platform.
“Norstar is all about helping the small artist do big things”
Briar Anderson
“It’s been a really great chance to get my name and my work out there and to also show my support for such a special, innovative and inspiring idea and brand,” Anderson said. “Norstar is all about helping the small artist do big things. All small artists like me have to start somewhere and Norstar is about giving the opportunity to get started.”
Norstar brand items are sold exclusively online at norstar.myshopify.com. Lewis said he will receive his business license in January and hopes to possibly hire people in the future. Currently Lewis says physical store locations are unlikely, but he aspires for pop-up shops or selling in already existing stores in the future.
Lewis explained how after visiting his grandmother in a retirement home, he heard countless seniors talk about what they wished they had done when they were younger. After she passed away, Lewis said he felt motivated to do something. “I want to motivate those kids who have amazing passions, but just need a fire lit underneath them,” Lewis said.
Norstar’s mission is to motivate and collaborate with creative minds. Lewis said his inspiration for the brand also came from the potential he sees in WSU Vancouver students and the resources offered on campus. “I want to use Norstar as a foundation so that [those motivated artists] can put their ideas out in the world,” Lewis said.
To WSU Vancouver students, Lewis said “You can’t just be PCP; parking lot, class, parking lot. You have to look around every nook and corner. Talk to people. There’s so many people and amazing stories.”
Anna Nelson is the Editor in Chief for the VanCougar. She is a senior and is studying strategic communications.