My Creative Journey (so far)

Looking back to look forward

My name is Luke Choice, also known as Velvet Spectrum - an Australian digital artist with over 20 years of experience creating bold, expressive visuals for global brands, startups, and creative studios worldwide.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with companies such as Apple, Nike, Nickelodeon, Google, and Adidas, creating work that spans multiple disciplines and industries. A couple of months ago, though, I transitioned away from mashing pixels and took on a new challenge in the Community Engagement team at Adobe.

An Unexpected Starting Point

My path into design wasn’t what you’d call traditional - at least not by early 2000s standards.

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A couple of years after high school, I was killing time working in construction when I stumbled across Photoshop for the first time, and everything changed. That moment of discovery lit the creative fire I’d been searching for.

As a self-taught designer, I leaned heavily on the creative industry to guide and inspire my growth, poring over work from designers I admired, reverse-engineering techniques, and absorbing whatever I could find. That foundation gave me not only a deep appreciation for the craft but also for the community that unknowingly helped shape me.

I wanted to do it all — all the colors, all the forms, all the methods. From graphic design to illustration, to 3D design, animation, and plenty of side quests in between, I followed whatever sparked curiosity. The feeling of surpassing my own perceived limits became my fuel - and it still is.

Building a Career Through Curiosity

A scrappy start hustling on MySpace earned me my first real break, designing for the Australian music scene. That work laid the foundation for what has since become an eclectic, ever-evolving portfolio.

My creative path has taken me from Sydney to London and New York — each city leaving its mark and shaping how I think about design and collaboration. Eventually, I found my way to the foggy shores of the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon . This quieter, slower place has given me space to reflect, reset, and reconnect with what inspires me most.

Along the way, I’ve explored a wide range of creative disciplines, always drawn to the interplay of color, texture, and motion, with a focus on making work that not only looks good but also connects with people.

A New Chapter at Adobe

Adaptability and versatility have been my throughline. The creative industry is constantly shifting, and I’ve learned that staying curious, flexible, and open to change is just as critical as honing your craft.

That mindset led me to my current role at Adobe as Principal Design Community Engagement Specialist, where I focus on fostering honest conversations with the creative community about where we’re headed — and how Adobe’s tools can evolve to better support the people who use them.

In this role, I serve as a conduit for designers, advocating from within Adobe by bringing a real-world, hands-on creative perspective to the table. I want the same industry that helped shape me to be one that listens more deeply, adapts more fluidly, and continues to uplift those finding their own creative way.

From Behind the Scenes to On Stage

In the early days, I was drawn to design because it let me stay behind the scenes, letting the work speak for itself. But over time, I realized that your voice and perspective are just as vital as your output , not only to your own growth, but to the health of the entire creative ecosystem.

When I began receiving invitations to share my journey at events like OFFF Barcelona and Graphika Manila, I saw just how much power there is in showing up, sharing generously, and learning from one another.

Those moments fundamentally reshaped how I see my role - and ultimately led to the work I do now with Adobe.