We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashleigh Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ASHLEIGH, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My passion for art began at an early age, inspired by watching my father draw. By the time I was 10, I had picked up a pencil and started creating my own drawings. I taught myself along the way, constantly refining my skills. As I grew older, I transitioned to digital art, starting with Microsoft Paint, which deepened my love for design and creativity. This natural progression eventually led me to pursue graphic design as a major in college, where I began creating logos, cartoon graphics, and flyers for others.

One pivotal moment in my career was when I connected with Jacklyn Smith, founder of J Nova Collection. She was looking for a graphic designer, I messaged her, showed her my work and chose me to be her graphic designer right then and there. That opportunity expanded into email marketing and social media management as well. Over the past eight years, I’ve realized that this field is my true calling. So, I created a graphic design brand called Space Kranium. I thrive on helping others bring their visions to life while continuing to evolve and grow in my own creative journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to where I am today has been a mix of passion, persistence, and learning. It definitely wasn’t easy. My love for art started with a desire to be as artistic as my dad, which pushed me to constantly improve my skills. In high school, I would draw heads of anime characters or my own imagination and skulls, trying to perfect every detail. These drawings became a foundation for my brand, Space Kranium, which blends my obsessions with space, and sci-fi movies like Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. I can literally recite the whole dialogue between Anakin and Obi-Wan when they were battling each other on Mustafar from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Overcoming challenges meant staying committed even when things were tough. Whether it was self-doubt or losing a creative mentor, I had to push through. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that growth happens when you embrace your unique style and let it evolve over time.

What I want the world to know about me and Space Kranium is that my brand is a reflection of everything I love. It’s a place where imagination and creativity collide, and where I help others bring their own visions to life—whether it’s through graphic design, email marketing, or web design. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me, and I aim to turn those inspirations into powerful visuals that connect with people. Everyone can find me on Instagram and TikTok @iamashleighrogers and @spacekranium. I hope to hear from everyone so I could help then bring their ideas and dreams to life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would make sure they had the best week in San Diego! We’d kick things off at The Lot in Liberty Station, where we could enjoy a great movie with some adult beverages while relaxing in their super comfortable recliner chairs. It’s the perfect way to unwind after traveling.

For a truly unforgettable experience, I’d plan a day around Comic-Con in San Diego. It’s the ultimate destination for anyone into pop culture—you get to meet celebrities, see incredible props from movies and TV shows, check out upcoming video games, and browse collectibles from your favorite comic book artists. If we’re lucky, we’d get autographs and photos with our favorite actors.

We’d also spend some time at Mission Bay Beach building sandcastles and just relaxing by the water, followed by catching a sunset at Sunset Cliffs, where the view is unbeatable. For food, I’d take them to Coco Maya’s for some great vibes or Breakfast Republic for a delicious brunch. And since we’re all about arcade games, Dave & Buster’s would be a must for a fun night of gaming and drinks.

This itinerary would highlight the best of San Diego’s culture, from its scenic beaches to its geeky side at Comic-Con!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to several important people who’ve played a role in my journey. First, my parents, Cheryl and Dominic, who always encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and supported me every step of the way. My brother, Justin, also deserves recognition for sparking my interest in creating YouTube banners and thumbnails, which expanded my creative skills. A special thanks to my boyfriend, Kwantay, who motivated me to get back into my creative work after the loss of my dear friend, Jacklyn Smith. Lastly, I want to acknowledge everyone I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with, their trust in my work has helped me grow and continue doing what I love.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacekranium?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-rogers-07b879162

Twitter: https://x.com/spacekranium?s=21

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