misled.media

I'm Malcolm Bellew.

I grew up as a latchkey kid and a misfit from Cleveland, OH. When I was younger, I had always been told to follow a certain path in life. However, I quickly realized that my passion and talents did not align with traditional career routes. This realization led to feelings of self-doubt imposter syndrome, and feeling like a complete failure. I constantly compared myself to others who seemed to have it all figured out, but I soon learned that everyone's journey is unique.

There were hardships. But even through the chaos, art and music were always there for me. Whether I was playing guitar or sketching some wild design, creativity was my escape and my lifeline.

I first stumbled onto formal design in vocational school in 2006 but flunked out. I gave it another shot at Cuyahoga Community College in 2015 and ended up graduating in 2019 as the top designer in my class. I’ve got an Associates Degree in Graphic Design & Visual Communication to show for it.

Before college, I got into screen printing through a friend in the punk rock scene. During college, a professor gifted me a small screen printing press. It was perfect—combining my love for design with a hands-on, DIY approach. From the first time I pulled the squeegee, I knew this was my thing—a way to pour my creativity into something tangible.

Through trial and error, I discovered my true calling and began to embrace my differences. I found it liberating to break away from conformity and embark on a new path. My journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. With every challenge, I have grown stronger and more confident in my abilities.

The name "misled.media" not only represents my journey, but also the journeys of many businesses, bands, or other individuals I have helped who might have felt like they were wandering without direction. The name symbolizes the realization that even when we feel lost, we might actually be on the path we were meant to take. Embracing "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" as they all contribute to a larger narrative and process, reflecting the diverse experiences that shape our creative journeys.

"Get lost" to become found with misled.media – where the lost.are found.

My hope is that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to embrace their differences and pursue their passions. Life is too short to conform to societal expectations that do not align with our true selves. Let us all embrace our weaknesses and turn them into strengths, just as misled.media has done for me, and just as I continue to learn to do for myself and for others. 

Come along with me on this ride of discovery and creation through misled.media.

Let's Get Lost together.

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