Meet Zayas Lanier | Visual Designer & Actor / Model

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

Hi Zayas, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Networking , and how most people who go about this have a very performative and transactionary approach about it, which in turn poisons the culture and industry that we work in. I do believe that ethical navigation can and should happen in the industry, but it’s our jobs as individuals to normalize this behavior.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started off in an abusive household and had to undergo childhood homelessness, this is something that effected me in a way that I didn’t understand at the time, that made me want to use that pain and change into something good. I was able to get the assistance I needed and despite not having a secure living situation, I was able to get into FIDM which is the only school I applied for and the only school that I wanted to go to, I put all of that pain and effort into my artwork and my story was able to touch the hearts of those at FIDM and allow me to further my creative journey, now I’ve been able to work under creative lenses as well as entertainment for the Walt Disney Company, which I’ve been there for about five years, and I’ve able work with even big name brands such as Steve Harvey as well as other creative industries as a Celebrity Graphic Designer. Now I’m understanding the importance of my self-worth and wanting to pursue more personal achievements such as being involved in more film and television under acting as well as modeling and fashion which is something that I’ve always been involved with. Being able to bring this all together allowed for all of these ingredients to make a really delicious “dish” that I’m so very proud of because everyone in my life that was a positive influence pushed me to go further despite the hardships I faced.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I personally love contained nature as it feels more personal without everyone else being around such as parks or things like that, I would most likely take them to something a little more secluded so we can really just touch down on the earth and absorb all of its beauty by ourselves and have a more personable and cherishable moment. of course we’d have to bring bug spray and our own personal gaming devices though because I need a LITTLE modern involvement.

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?
My mother, as she taught me the importance of not only staying true to yourself, but being able to be vulnerable and open to others despite how they may perceive you. Being authentically and unapologetically you in this industry is something that I think is taking a forefront as people favor reality rather than the façade like nature of the industry. People want to be seen and heard and my mother taught me to keep that sentiment alive

Website: https://zayas-creatives.wixsite.com/zayas

Instagram: zayaslanier