Today we’d like to introduce you to Drake Williams.
Drake, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Deadly Doodles started in 2015 as a creative outlet while I was working as a motion graphics designer at The Richards Group. I’ve always been obsessed with music, art, skateboarding, and streetwear, and I wanted to build something that combined all of those influences into one brand. What began as a passion project gradually evolved into a clothing label that has been fortunate enough to reach people all over the world.
Over the years, I’ve balanced running Deadly Doodles alongside my career as a motion graphics artist and creative director, working with brands like Gatorade, Toyota, ULTA Beauty, Lancôme, FIFA, FILA, Alternative Press, and Hopeless Records. Every project taught me something different about storytelling, branding, and creating work that connects with people, and I’ve brought those lessons back into Deadly Doodles.
The brand has grown through a lot of trial and error. There wasn’t a roadmap—I learned by designing, printing shirts, making mistakes, setting up at events, collaborating with other artists, and constantly refining what I wanted the brand to represent. Along the way, Deadly Doodles has been carried by retailers like Hot Topic, exhibited at ComplexCon, and featured in collaborations with Alternative Press, all of which were surreal milestones for something that started as sketches and ideas.
Today, Deadly Doodles is still rooted in the same philosophy it began with: creating artwork that feels genuine and timeless rather than chasing trends. Whether it’s a T-shirt, a poster, or a piece of merchandise for a band or brand, my goal is always the same—to make something that resonates with people and has the potential to become their favorite piece in the closet.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Like most creative businesses, it’s been full of highs and lows.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing Deadly Doodles while working full-time in the creative industry. For years, I was spending my days creating for clients and my nights and weekends building my own brand. It was rewarding, but it also meant making a lot of sacrifices and learning how to avoid burnout.
I’ve also learned that making great artwork is only a small part of running a brand. You have to understand production, inventory, shipping, customer service, marketing, social media, pricing, and finances. Every mistake becomes a lesson, and there have been plenty of those over the years.
Another challenge has been staying true to the vision. Trends come and go, and it’s easy to feel pressure to chase what’s popular. I’ve always tried to focus on making work that genuinely excites me, even if that means growing more slowly. I think that’s ultimately what has helped the brand build a loyal community.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change much. The setbacks taught me resilience, forced me to become a better designer and business owner, and made the successes feel that much more meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At its core, I’m a designer and storyteller. My background spans graphic design, motion graphics, creative direction, branding, apparel design, and merchandise development. Whether I’m creating a T-shirt, directing a campaign, animating a commercial, or building a brand identity, I’m always thinking about how to make something memorable and emotionally connect with people.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with companies like Gatorade, Toyota, ULTA Beauty, Lancôme, FIFA, FILA, Alternative Press, and Hopeless Records, while also creating merchandise and visual campaigns for musicians, sports organizations, and lifestyle brands. Working across so many industries has taught me how to adapt while still maintaining a recognizable creative voice.
What I’m most proud of, though, is Deadly Doodles. Building an independent brand from the ground up has been the most rewarding project of my career because every design represents my own ideas and experiences. Seeing people wear the artwork, support the brand, and connect with it on a personal level is something I’ll never take for granted.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see design as just making something look good—I see it as building an experience. Every piece has a purpose, whether it’s telling a story, making someone laugh, reminding them of a favorite band, or becoming a shirt they reach for over and over again. I try to create work that feels timeless rather than trendy, with a strong attention to detail and authenticity that people can recognize.
At the end of the day, I just want to keep making things that I’m proud of and that other people genuinely enjoy owning, wearing, and experiencing.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I think most people assume that because I’ve worked with major brands and organizations, those are the projects I’m most proud of. While I’m incredibly grateful for those opportunities, the truth is that my favorite work has almost always been for independent artists, bands, and my own brand.
I’ve been subscribed to Alternative Press since I was a teenager, so years later getting to design merchandise and create artwork for them was a full-circle moment. The same goes for working with bands I’ve listened to for years. Those projects mean just as much to me as any national advertising campaign because I was genuinely a fan first.
Another thing people might not realize is that Deadly Doodles has never been my full-time job. I’ve built the brand over the last decade while working professionally as a motion graphics artist and creative director. Every collection, collaboration, and milestone has happened during nights, weekends, and whatever free time I could carve out. In a way, that makes every accomplishment feel even more rewarding.
I’m also someone who enjoys the process as much as the finished product. I spend a lot of time researching vintage graphics, typography, music history, apparel construction, and printing techniques before I ever start designing. I think that attention to detail is what gives Deadly Doodles its identity and helps the work feel authentic rather than trend-driven.
At the end of the day, I’m still just someone who loves making cool things. Whether it’s for a global brand, an independent band playing to a hundred people, or a new Deadly Doodles collection, I approach every project with the same level of care, curiosity, and excitement.
Pricing:
- $18
- $30
- $40
- $70
- $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deadlydoodles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deadlydoodles
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyitsdrake/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@deadlydoodles
