Meet Imari Craft of YMagazine & Craft Creative Agency

I started YMagazine in 2017 while I was attending the Art Institute of Chicago. Through that time I developed my brand through different channels trying to get familiar with all medias of art and marketing skills. I soon created a website where I blogged about different artist, creatives in the Chicago community who didn’t get a lot of spotlight for their talent due to their lack of popularity in the city. I learned a lot about myself throughout this time one thing I learned and took into full force was that I enjoyed the interactions I had and getting to know those throughout this journey of growing my brand. I decided to release the magazine with as many creatives as I could and tell their story through photographic images set in ways that contributes to all aspects of the different elements of art or being an artist/creative. YMagazine hosted an event July 19th, 2020 entitled “Spring In The Summertime” where the art installed event contributed to showcasing the first released magazine. I loved putting together the event seeing something come to life then bringing different crowds together to take in a place empowering each other. Today I’m planning the next magazine and event release for this year, but with everything going on some things are at a pause. I am working on new things that I want featured at this next event to show what else everyone could be seeing from my brand. I’m really looking forward to the next chapters of this I see it going far and I will keep working to make that happen.

I don’t think it was smooth but when you’re trying to do something that doesn’t come easy I think you expect some bumps in the road. I had a fear that I wouldn’t be able to print out my magazines or do the art install for the event due to financial reasons. Struggling with my school closing and having to find a new one to enroll in (I’m currently enrolled at Academy of Art University) deciding if that was a good idea while planning an event. Amongst dealing with a traumatic experience just two months before the event it wasn’t easy but I managed and delivered my visioned event.

I specialize in creating mix media magazines and creating art installed events. Everyone knows me for YMagazine which showcases different creatives and artist of all medias and “Spring In The Summertime” which is a art installed event created to showcase the magazine and allow people from the public to interact with the setting and gather to network. YMagazine – Craft Creative Agency is a space to create in-house production for YMagazine and the events that I combine together. My brand works with a team formed of a hand picked photographer and makeup artist. I’m only one person but I’m proud of most as a company is that I can still contribute big things to the community. I think what sets me apart is there aren’t many magazines here in the city anymore but I think throwing an event to bring people together to enjoy a magazine as art and get to know those around them in a welcoming setting, even though we had some very hot pick magazines 20 years ago. I think that sets me apart.

I know many measure the amount of money as success but I think success is when you’re doing what you love to do on a daily you’re happy and that’s paying your living that’s success. I want to be able to grow this brand and have this be something that goes on for some years. I’m looking for longevity within the expansion of my brand.