Aldo Pinto

Production Manager, the Milton Times, Milton, MA

How long have you been in creative/visual journalism, and how did you get your start?

I have been working as a graphic designer since 1992, but my passion for illustration and design began when I was about 10 years old. As a child, I would attend soccer games in my hometown and create reports of the matches using my grandfather’s old typewriter.

After typing out these reports, I would carefully staple the papers back-to-back and add my very own hand-drawn illustrations of the game to construct a makeshift newspaper.

I issued copies of my masterpiece to my closest friends but only distributed three issues until my typewriter broke down. Although I was heartbroken by this loss, it sparked my lifelong passion for graphic design.

What gets (and keeps) your creative juices flowing?

I find my creative juices flow when taking my morning walk with my wife or tending to my garden. Both of these activities energize me, especially during the spring and summer seasons when the sun is shining on my face. I always feel refreshed afterward, making me happy and contributing to my creativity.

I also feel engaged and ready to create after the weekly staff meetings on Google meet with my colleagues.

What advice do you have for young professionals starting out in the creative field?

I have a few pieces of advice for young professionals who want to be a part of this industry. First and foremost, you must be passionate about what you do because it will be much easier to overcome any challenges you may face if you genuinely love what you do.

In addition, you must always welcome constructive criticism because it will only help you become better at your craft. Lastly, I believe communication is key, so it is always important to listen to your clients’ needs.

What do you see as the most important trend or facet of visual journalism/media creative today?

For me, it’s back to basics. Have a page tell a story with graphics, not just words.

View Aldo Pinto’s work online: