“I’m all about making illustrations, animations, logos, any kind of graphic asset that will serve you and, if we’re lucky, do some good in the world,” said Jef Caine.
Cain has been artsy since he was a child. In college, he studied graphic design but ended up learning most technical and business skills through YouTube.
“I always wanted some kind of career in the visual arts,” he explained.
Read about Caine’s art journey, inspiration, and favorite places.
I STARTED SHARING MY ART BECAUSE… I wanted to be held accountable—to stay disciplined in consistently putting out work. Sharing my work online has also served as a cathartic form of self expression.
MY FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND MY LEISURE TIME IS… to go for a bike ride.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS… the joy of creation. As frustrating as the creative process can be at times, when everything clicks there’s no greater feeling than making something new.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROJECTS HERE IN YANKTON HAS BEEN… the design and illustration work for Ben’s Brew Station.
SOME OF THE BUSINESSES I’VE WORKED WITH LOCALLY INCLUDE… Ben’s Brewing Company and Yankton Thrive. Outside of town, I’ve collaborated with Task Force, EarthJustice, Women’s March, NAACP, MTV, The White House, and I’ve also created logos for many friends’ personal business projects.
Like and Follow
Instagram: @JEFCAINE
TikTok: @JEFCAINE
GIPHY: @JEFCAINE
Facebook: /JEF.CAINE
“Yankton is a very nice town, and everyone has been kind and welcoming to me.” -Jef Caine
MY FAVORITE MEDIUM TO USE IS… paint markers. Most of the work I produce is digital, but there’s nothing like the thrill of drawing with no control-z buttons.
MY ART STYLE CAN BE DESCRIBED BY MY INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS AS… graphic, bold, retro futuristic, animated, playful, loose mother goose, manic, quirky grunge, funky electric, and whimsical [to name a few descriptions].
“I do everything myself! It’s stressful and frantic, but it’s undeniably me.” -Jef Caine
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER MY PORTFOLIO WAS… remembering all these different projects I’ve done and the stories behind them.
THE MOST UNDERRATED ITEM ON MY WEBSITE HAS GOT TO BE… the free fonts. Admittedly, they’re not very precise or legible, but they are free.
WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT MY ART IS… I don’t necessarily make it look this way on purpose.
FACT
Caine is available for digital design and hopes to pick up more mural opportunities this year.
SOMETHING I’M WORKING ON RIGHT NOW THAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT IS… a few collabs with some prominent YouTubers.
WHEN I WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN YANKTON, ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO STOP BY IS… the woods underneath the Meridian Bridge on the Nebraska side.
SOMETHING THAT IS INFLUENCING ME RIGHT NOW IS… dad rock and seasonal affective disorder.
MY FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION IS… the cemetery.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA… are the fireflies in spring.
