Meet the Creative Force Behind Yōcoya Design:

Ever met a graphic designer who weaves words into visuals like an alchemist turning ink into gold? Meet TL Hutton—Mexican Cherokee artist, graphic designer, horror author, and unapologetic advocate for bold, authentic storytelling—founder and chief storyteller here, who believes that the most powerful designs don’t just catch the eye; they ignite the imagination.

Think about it. What’s a logo if not the protagonist of your brand’s epic? What’s a website if not the setting where your customer’s journey unfolds? For TL, graphic design is never just about making things look pretty. It’s about weaving a narrative.

As the founder of Yōcoya Design, TL doesn’t just create graphics—he crafts immersive visual narratives steeped in cultural nuance, social awareness, and a dash of dark imagination. With a background in creative writing and fiction, every design he produces isn’t just seen—it’s felt, questioned, and remembered.

Think of it this way: If Stephen King needed branding, he’d hire TL. Because when literary precision meets bold design, the result isn’t just eye-catching—it’s unforgettable.

TL’s journey into the visual world began with a crayon, but it was truly forged with a keyboard. As a horror and speculative fiction author, he spent years learning to build worlds, manipulate emotions, and deliver a killer punchline—all with words. He learned about pacing, tension, character arcs, and thematic resonance.

He simply traded his pen for a mouse.

That background in creative writing is TL’s secret weapon. It means he doesn’t just see a blank canvas in Adobe Illustrator; he sees a blank page. He asks the same questions as a writer does:

• What is the story we need to tell?

• Who is our audience and what do we want them to feel?

• How can every line, shape, and color choice push the narrative forward?

This literary edge allows TL to create designs with depth. A poster isn’t just an arrangement of text and images; it has a narrative rhythm. A brand identity isn’t just a set of logos and fonts; it’s a fully-realized character with its own personality, voice, and motivations. TL builds compelling visual narratives that are designed to make people think, feel, and, most importantly, act.

The Art of Visual Storytelling

A Life Written in Bold Strokes & Words

Born under the Cherokee sign of the Wolf and embraced by Mexica roots, TL’s life reads like a cross-cultural odyssey. From the sunbaked deserts of Phoenix, Arizona, to the ancestral Ozark lands of his Iroquoian forebears, and now splitting time between the prairies of Missouri and the vibrant streets of Mexico City—his art is as dynamic as his journey.

A former landscape architect turned graphic design, he’s spent decades honing his eye for detail, balance, and story-driven composition. With a BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts underway and a Master’s in Creative Writing on the horizon, he blends visual aesthetics and narrative depth like no other.

But TL isn’t just about pretty pixels. He is a DEI-certified advocate, founder of Obsidian Skull Press, and a fierce champion for Latinx, Indigenous, and marginalized voices in both art and literature. If your brand has a story to tell—especially one that challenges norms—TL is the creative mind you want shaping it.

The Craft & The Cause

TL didn’t just stumble into design. He honed his creative eye as a child in the 80s and refined it professionally over a 20-year career as a certified landscape architect before returning to his first love: the world of pure visual and narrative art. Currently, TL is a full-time student at Southern New Hampshire University, pursuing a BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts, with his eyes set on an MA in English and Creative Writing upon completing his Bachelor's.

Why the constant learning? Because the craft matters. But the cause matters more.

TL is also the founder of Obsidian Skull Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to amplifying Latinx, Native American, and other marginalized voices in genre fiction. As a certified DEI Awareness Professional and an active member of AIGA and the Horror Writers Association, his work is fueled by a commitment to sparking conversation, fostering awareness, and building a more inclusive creative landscape. TL’s certifications in Digital & Content Marketing and Project Management aren't just resume-builders; they're tools to ensure your story is not only told powerfully but heard by the right people.

Why Work with a Designer Who Writes Horror and Speculative Ficton?

Because great design should haunt you—in the best way.

TL’s knack for horror fiction sharpens his ability to evoke emotion, build tension, and make visuals speak. Whether it’s:

• Branding that lingers in the mind like a ghost story

• Social media visuals with the punch of a plot twist

• Digital art that whispers secrets to your subconscious

…TL knows how to hook an audience and keep them coming back for more.

When He’s Not Designing or Writing…

You might find TL:

✅ Sipping a cerveza at a Mexico City cantina (tacos callejeros are mandatory)

✅ Gaming on Steam (@AztecNerd—challenge accepted!)

✅ Collecting Mesoamerican art and Latin American coffee culture deco

✅ Debating whether chupacabras would make good pets

✅ Defending equality for marginalized communities (always)

Let’s Create Something That Matters

TL doesn’t just design—he ignites conversations, challenges perceptions, and turns stories into striking visuals. Whether you need branding that stands out, social media graphics with teeth, or packaging that tells a tale, TL and Yōcoya Design is where narrative meets visual impact.

Want your brand to tell a story that sticks? Let’s talk.

👉 Get in Touch | Explore Our Work |

P.S. If you mention "I believe in chupacabras too", TL might just give you a sneak peek at his next horror-inspired design project...