Fellow Farewell: How Jacob Chaves exercises his creative muscle

Fellow Farewell: How Jacob Chaves exercises his creative muscle

by Gabriela Bell

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can find Jacob Chaves sitting in front of his black Dell laptop at Pattern HQ—right hand on the mouse, eyes glued to a design file. As Pattern’s graphic design fellow, Chaves is the force behind the visuals gracing the most recent issues of Pattern’s magazine and newsletter. 

Originally a business major at IU Indianapolis, Chaves realized his interests leaned more toward visual storytelling than market analytics, which led him to the Herron School of Art and Design, graduating in 2023. Throughout his journey with Pattern, Chaves learned how to thrive as a young designer. Part of that growth comes from exercising his creativity. “Like any other practical skill, it’s like a muscle. You may not ever lose it completely, but you have to practice it to keep it in shape,” he says. 

Chaves began an internship at Pattern in 2024. He then applied for the fellowship, which started shortly after.  “With the fellowship, you get more hands-on experience,” he says. His first few weeks as a fellow required some adjustment—more responsibilities, more tasks, and more exciting projects.

Much of his work as a fellow has been dedicated to Pattern’s biannual magazine. Chaves says the captivating visuals are what make it so unique. “I think without any editorial photography, it wouldn’t be the same,” he said. Designing the magazine equipped Chaves with a unique ability to imagine how something digital will translate onto a piece of paper. “You have to consider visibility a lot more, because when you have something that’s physical, it’s not interactive in the same way a website or app would be,” he says. “You can’t zoom in, not without moving closer or getting a magnifying glass.” 

In terms of personal growth, the fellowship helped Chaves meet deadlines and communicate. He also noticed significant improvement in his design abilities, thanks to the collaborative environment at Pattern. “I think that feedback and critique are essential for artwork,” he says. “Being able to see everyone else’s workshops inspires you.” 

One way that Pattern showcases local creatives and their work is through their annual Creative Economy Summit. “To be there is really fulfilling because you get to see people from around the state gathered together in one space,” he says. “It’s really beneficial to get those connections and see the fruit of all this stuff.” 

After a year as a fellow, Chaves has gained a clear sense of what it takes to thrive at Pattern—and he has some advice for the next wave of fellows stepping into the space. “You need to leverage your creative tools and the skills at your disposal to help bring people’s creative vision into reality,” he says. That mindset has carried Chaves through the fellowship and into his next chapter. 

As his fellowship comes to a close, Chaves is staying with Pattern as a graphic designer (because how could you ever leave!). With his sharpened creative skills and a deepened connection to Indiana’s creative economy, Chaves is well on his way to a thriving career as a graphic designer and visual storyteller. 

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