Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Nugent.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I was born and raised in Jamaica in a family with a rich blend of engineers, scientists, artists, writers, and musicians. While most of my family have a combination of these interests, art has always been the dominant influence. I love seeing these artistic talents develop in my nieces and nephews now. I pursued my education at Brigham Young University, where I earned my BFA with an emphasis in drawing and painting. I had initially planned to study Fashion Design–I often still think about revisiting that plan, and perhaps I will–but the program was discontinued the year I started, and BYU was the only university my parents would help pay for us to attend. Determined to succeed, I worked hard and earned merit scholarships to help finance my education. After earning my BFA, I was accepted into the MFA program at Parsons School of Design, with the desire to become an art professor and inspire and educate students as I had been during my academic journey.
Parsons’ MFA program was prohibitively expensive for me and I didn’t want to get into debt to pay for it. I stayed in Utah and took a job at BYU’s Center for Instructional Design, where I worked on developing online courses for the university. That’s where I learned many of the design software programs I use now, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Due to visa restrictions as a newly graduated international student, I was only able to work at the CID for a year, and then I got my first job working as a graphic designer in the education-based, SaaS space, marking a shift from fine arts to graphic design. Although I continued to create art in my spare time, I struggled to maintain my practice as an oil painter. The lack of a proper home studio was a significant obstacle. Or so I told myself.
Over the past two decades, I’ve held roles as a graphic designer, senior designer, art director, and creative director. In 2016, I experienced a pivotal health challenge when I lost my voice and could only speak in a whisper for more than six months. After consulting various physicians, it was determined that my condition was stress-related rather than physical. I began working with a speech therapist to regain my ability to speak. This was a clear sign from my body that I needed to slow down and take better care of myself–a message that I’d neglected for far too long. Supported by my partner at the time, I made the decision to leave my job and start my own business as an independent design contractor. Even with his support, the jump was as terrifying as it was exciting. This change allowed me to enjoy flexible hours, work with a diverse range of clients, and expand my skill set.
In 2018, while looking for new clients, I found an agency called DINNG and was hired there as a senior designer. My time at DINNG was incredibly educational and enriching, providing numerous opportunities for networking and learning from other designers, which can be more difficult to find in a corporate in-house setting. At DINNG, I expanded and honed my design skills while also dedicating much-needed time to personal projects. In 2020, DINNG was dissolved and absorbed by LifeVantage, its primary client, where I now work as the Creative Director.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t know if any road in life is inherently smooth. My path has certainly been non-linear and I always say that I regret nothing in life, good or bad. Everything is a lesson. That being said, every challenging experience has been intricately woven into the tapestry of who I am, and I believe that I’m better for it.
I was raised in a very religious household. In my adolescence, I began questioning many of the teachings I had grown up with, particularly regarding race, sexual exploration, and the role of women. When I voiced these questions, I often encountered resistance or was told that some of these matters were beyond comprehension until the afterlife. I was never a rebellious teenager, but not having clear answers just didn’t make sense to me. At 22, I made the wrenching decision that my religion was no longer for me and left, causing a rift with some of my family and sparking an existential crisis. This led to a deep depression as I struggled to understand who I was and where I belonged. In my art, I often explore themes of “otherness” related to being a Black, immigrant woman. However, there is also an underlying theme of the alienation I felt when I no longer had the community and refuge of my former religion.
Leaving my religion introduced me to new friends, many of whom remain in my life and are family to me. It also exposed me to a way of life I had previously known only as sinful and aimless, which I then realized was more a matter of ideology and perception than truth. I dated a painter who introduced me to his circle of artists, which further broadened my perspective. As a seeker, I am always searching for answers and eager to learn more. I believe that curiosity is essential to prevent life from becoming stagnant.
Exploring my identity—what I liked, what challenged me, what moved me, and what attracted me without religious constraints—set me on a path to discovering my authentic self. Since my 30s, this journey has included talk therapy, psychedelics, Eastern philosophy, yoga, dance, fitness, holistic health, spirituality, and seeking a truly meaningful connection with something greater than myself. This exploration has led me to an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
One of my favorite musicians named an album of his “Sonder.” It’s a concept that intrigued and resonated with me. Its definition was coined in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows:
sonder
- the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.
The greatest reward comes from knowing that my work is meaningful and that it resonates on a personal level with people I’ve never even met. My vivid life and the complexities of my own experiences are communicated in a language that is so unique to me yet is universal enough to be understood and connected with without saying a word.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Several years ago, I reconnected with my younger brother Spencer who is a brilliant creative and is now one of my best friends. In 2019, Spencer and I had the opportunity to participate in the Misplaced Showcase, an art market and charity event supporting the Children’s Justice Center. We collaborated on an installation piece, and I created five new digital collages, immersing myself fully in the medium. This experience seamlessly combined my love for graphic design and mixed media fine art collages.
During the 2020 pandemic, I delved deeper into digital collage, using it as a form of cathartic expression, self-care, therapy, and healing. My artwork reflected the anxiety and stress of the lockdown, along with various emotions from my past and present. Initially hesitant to share these deeply personal pieces, I was encouraged by positive feedback from friends and realized that my work resonates with others and extends beyond my own experiences. I continue to create digital art, showcasing and selling it at local events and small galleries. Since the Misplaced Showcase, Spencer and I have been selling our respective art at a booth together at craft markets and we have a blast! He and I sometimes talk about starting an agency. I also plan to return to oil painting, my first (artistic) love.
Since 2019, I’ve had the honor of being invited to speak and share my art and story at various events such as the Shift Summit, Where Are The Black Designers, “Black In Tech” hosted by Utah Tech Leads, and a panel featuring Black designers in Utah, discussing the intersection of design and DEI. Additionally, I’ve curated art exhibits at the Adobe campus in Lehi for Black History Month and Juneteenth in collaboration with their DEI team. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with diverse audiences and engage in meaningful conversations about art and representation. I’m a very private person and while it’s sometimes difficult for me to talk about myself, I find it much easier to express my thoughts and emotions through visual media. Sharing my work and experiences in these settings has not only been rewarding but has also helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am grateful for the platform to inspire and be inspired by others in the creative community.
My education and career in fine arts and graphic design, coupled with my personal experiences, are driven by a core philosophy: create beautiful things and be kind while you do that. I am deeply committed to equal representation in my art, which often explores the literal and figurative layers of human emotion. My digital collages primarily focus on people of color, reflecting a deep appreciation for the diversity and richness of human experiences. Influenced by my culture, experiences, and idiosyncrasies, my work frequently features soft, surreal dreamscapes where subjects navigate the delicate balance between connection and isolation. Through my art, I aim to cultivate empathy and understanding, inviting viewers to engage with the intricate layers of identity and emotion. This commitment to kindness and beauty not only guides my creative process but also shapes my interactions within the art community.
What is something surprising that most people who know you or your work/brand might not know about you?
In addition to being a fine artist and designer, I used to compete nationally in bikini bodybuilding. My journey began in 2004 after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. To combat the 30 pounds I gained in one month from medication, I started working out, eventually joined a gym, and was encouraged to try competing. Though the idea of competing on stage was initially terrifying, I grew to love the sport and achieved success both locally and nationally. Competing not only built my confidence but also helped me align with the person I was becoming.
Due to the various pharmaceutical medications I was prescribed for Crohn’s, I explored holistic, natural health and diet–in conjunction with western medicine–which led me to yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda as forms of healing. About a year and a half ago, I completed yoga teacher training and have been an instructor at CorePower Yoga since March 2023. Teacher training was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Practicing and teaching yoga have further opened me up, ignited my creative and expressive fire, and solidified my belief in the interconnectedness of life. This holistic approach to health has profoundly influenced my art and personal growth, allowing me to connect more deeply with myself and others.
Teaching yoga has also further bolstered my confidence and belief in myself and has provided me with a new avenue to build community and share the benefits of connection, mindfulness, and physical well-being. The discipline and mindfulness gained through both bodybuilding and yoga have been instrumental in my artistic process, enabling me to create with a deeper sense of purpose and clarity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.camillenugent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillenugentdesign
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillenugent1/
Image Credits
Andy Marsh
