OTL Team Spotlight: Eduardo Gahbler, Teaching Artist

For the next installment of our Team Spotlight Series, we decided to highlight Media Makers Teaching Artist, Eduardo Gahbler.

Focused more on graphic designer, Eduardo has been freelancing since his high school days. His love for the digital arts sparked his interest in photography, photo editing, apparel production, web design, social media content creation, and marketing. Now thanks to Media Makers, Eduardo has found his passion for teaching others about the media arts. He is constantly coming up with new projects for engaging with students, including pixel art, AI art generators and more.

Get to know more about Eduardo in this Q&A.

What’s a talent you do have that most people might not know about?
Something people might not know about me is that I own a T-shirt and graphics company where I create custom merch and graphics for clients. I also used to DJ, and I’m a big paranormal enthusiast

What talent would you most like to have?
I started learning to play instruments when I was younger, but I eventually stopped. Looking back, I really wish I had stuck with it!

Do you have a favorite third space you love to unwind, rebalance or be inspired?
Going to concerts is one of my favorite ways to unwind, recharge, find balance, and feel inspired. There’s something special about the energy of live music that always brings me back to myself.

What’s a word or phrase you overuse?
“Turn it up”, ”More pizza”, and “Did you see that in the sky?”

Who is a teacher, mentor, or artist who shaped how you see your trade?
I had an art teacher in college, Mr. Clayton, who really inspired me and made me rethink what it means to be a teacher. He was unapologetically himself, embracing his identity as a metalhead, dressed in all black and covered in tattoos, while still maintaining a high level of professionalism. Seeing someone express their individuality so authentically while being such a great educator really left an impression on me.

What’s the trait you most value in the young people you interact with?
I value the creativity, honesty, and vulnerability my students bring into their work. I’m incredibly proud of them, and seeing how much they grow, both creatively and personally, is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

If OTL gave you an unlimited budget for one piece of equipment, what would you buy?
If OTL gave me an unlimited budget for equipment, I’d invest in a wider variety of production tools and equipment so students could explore new ways to create and expand the range of products they can make. I’d love to give them access to more tools like a DTG printer, proper screen-printing equipment, and would  also love to expand our sublimation capabilities with equipment like a cup and tumbler sublimation setup. These would be great additions and open up even more possibilities for the products we can create! The possibilities would be exciting.

What’s a small ritual that gets you through a hard week?
Taking time and space for myself is incredibly important. It helps me stay grounded, centered, and balanced. Music also plays a big role in helping me reset, recharge, and reconnect with myself.

If you had to teach a class on something totally unrelated to your current work, what would it be?
If I had to teach a class completely unrelated to my current work, I’d probably teach students how to explore and appreciate different animated shows, movies, and anime. Alternatively, I’d love to teach a class on conspiracy theories, unexplained mysteries, and the unknown. Both would be fun ways to share my interests and get people curious about things they might not normally explore.