Meet Jake Dunn | Founder of the band Greater View, and Motion Graphic Designer

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

Hi Jake, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been creating since I was a little kid. I think the first interest in art came from watching cartoons. I would record shows on VHS, then pause them so I can try to draw one of the characters. And I would love going through bonus material on Blockbuster DVDs because I was fascinated by the behind the scene content. I really wanted to be a part of movies or character animation. I almost got discouraged in high school when they had us researching careers, and seeing that a lot of creative jobs didn’t pay well. I tried pursuing the same career as my dad as a computer programmer, but he actually sat me down and told me not to because he believed in my artistic talent. After that I stumbled into a career in motion graphics, fell in love with making things animate that weren’t characters but still conveying an emotion. And somewhere in between I also fell in love with music. I remember MySpace really opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t have to be someone on the radio in order to make songs. And my project Greater View started to develop when I was struggling in my career. It was almost a way of therapy, to get things off my chest. And it was another form of expression that’s completely different from my day job. So long answer short, I pursued a creative career because it was something that was always in me, and it would have been a disservice not only to me but to those who believed in me to not see it through.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was not easy to get where I am today. There has been some demeaning stuff I had to get through. But the belief in myself and from others is what kept me going. I moved away from my hometown in Florida and I didn’t want to come back a failure. People took a chances on me and I’m forever appreciative of them for it. Because they were half of the reason why I get to do what I do today. I want to leave a mark on the world and I think everyone should have that mentality because what’s the point of living. And I would like to do that in more ways than one. In design and in music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of the places would be places to eat. The best thing about the LA area, is the access to other cultures in one spot. There are so many different ethnic food places that serve dishes I couldn’t have dreamed of. And I want to give that experience to friends from places that don’t have the same access.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A lot of my people. My dad has been my biggest supporter from the start. My college professors Walter Hines and James Mason of Indian River State College showed me what could be obtainable as a career. During college, I met my wife and she has always been in my corner. And as far as my musical endeavors, there are thousands of bands that encouraged me.

Instagram: greaterviewmusic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-dunn-44b6a698