Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Goebel.
Hi Dustin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from a tiny town in northwest Ohio—population around 1,000. Right after high school, I moved to Columbus to attend CCAD with dreams of becoming a film director. I didn’t take college as seriously as I should have and spent most of my time finding myself and adjusting to life in a much bigger city. Somehow, I graduated in four years with what I now consider a pretty weak portfolio.
That’s when reality hit. I stayed in Columbus by working a string of strange, physically demanding jobs—breaking down engines at a salvage yard, loading planes at the airport, managing popcorn at a movie theater, and gutting fish at 4 a.m. as a fishmonger. It wasn’t glamorous, but it built a strong work ethic.
My first break came at Whole Foods Market, where I was working seafood. I noticed their chalk artist was overwhelmed and pitched myself as a backup. That turned into an eight-year run as a full-time chalk artist across all Columbus and Cincinnati locations. When Amazon acquired Whole Foods and gutted the marketing departments, I shifted gears into publication design.
I joined 614 Magazine and worked my way up to Senior Designer before landing a role at American Motorcyclist Magazine. During that time, I freelanced as a creative outlet—creating chalk art for brands like Jameson Whiskey, being published in art books licensed by Netflix, Topps, and Legion Films, and designing for local breweries like Homestead, Pretentious, and Land Grant. I also self-published my own horror comic, Beyond Dead, and illustrated for the Horror Movie Talk podcast.
After three years at AMA, I moved into an in-house studio role at Rise Brands (Pins Mechanical, 16-bit Bar+Arcade, No Soliciting), where I’ve had the chance to combine all my past experience—illustration, publication, merchandise, and even motion graphics. All without having to see the insides of a fish. I’ve been there for the past four years and have continued to push myself creatively.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. I touched on the early challenges of getting an art career off the ground, but even in professional design roles, the struggles didn’t disappear. One of the biggest ongoing challenges has been earning trust.
It sounds simple, but gaining confidence from CEOs, creative directors, or freelance clients can be an uphill battle—especially if they’ve had bad experiences with designers in the past. That skepticism usually shows up in two ways: either a lack of trust in the conceptual phase or doubts about whether I can actually bring an idea to life.
Over time, solid work tends to quiet those concerns, but early on, that hesitation can really slow down the process and add unnecessary friction.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a bit of a jack of all trades. I specialize in both traditional and digital illustration—mainly a sketchy, hatched style I use for portraits, though I also work in a clean, graphic vector style depending on the project. Thanks to my background in publishing, I’m also a seasoned graphic designer, especially when it comes to layout design and custom text lockups. On top of that, I dabble in motion design and can hold my own in After Effects.
What I’m most proud of is the comic book I self-published a few years back. At the time, I had almost no experience with publication design, but I dove in headfirst and figured it out as I went. That project taught me a ton and helped shape the trajectory of my career.
I think what sets me apart is the mix of creative range and resourcefulness. I’ve picked up a wide variety of skills, and I’m not afraid to learn something new on the fly to get shit done.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say my taste in music usually catches people off guard. Based on my work, most assume I’m into heavy metal—but my favorite band is actually The Decemberists. I love their storytelling. There’s something about the contrast between their upbeat, catchy sound and the often dark, tragic lyrics that really resonates with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dustingoebel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgoebel00/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustingoebel
