Music set the rhythm of Mark Tesi’s life journey from a young age and became a prelude to his career in design, creative direction, photography and film production. His current role as director of photography and motion for Vuori, a performance apparel brand, has allowed him to continue his pursuit of “chasing magic.”   

“I love making things and bringing new things into the world — that never gets old to me,” he said.   

He dropped out of college, travelled the world, decided to go back to school to finish his degree, and changed his major and career path all before turning 30. Music was the force that pulled him in each of those directions.  

The 2003 grad’s story starts at home in Long Beach Island making songs and surf imagery with friends.  

“When I was younger it was about chasing magic in the ocean and surfing and finding incredible waves to ride. Just getting that feeling it gave you. Music was the same thing for me. Trying to write songs and albums. Something comes from nothing,” he explained.   

Opportunities find those who are dedicated to their craft. 

“The band I was in got signed to a label, and to my parent’s dismay, I quit school again, went on tour, and for about six years, I was a musician full time. We probably played almost every country in Europe, and traveled to Australia, Asia, Costa Rica, and Mexico,” he said. 

Tesi, being naturally inventive, became the band’s default designer. As he was performing, writing songs and travelling the world, he was unknowingly developing a portfolio that would segue him into a new chapter.  

He recalled the night that sparked his interest in going back to college. He was sound asleep in the tour van in a big city in a hotel parking lot. It was his turn to watch over the equipment. 

He woke suddenly to the sound of people breaking in. That’s when he realized he was ready for a change of tempo. 

At the same time, he had just met his future wife and started thinking about studying Spanish and becoming a teacher.  

He stopped touring, but his love for music and its influence on his life continued. “I still think of myself as a musician,” he smiled. 

He registered for Spanish classes at Stockton, but the letter “r” didn’t want to roll off his tongue. “I’m just not that good at this," he remembered saying to himself. 

For years he had been designing posters and T-shirts for his band and creating a body of imagery as the band’s unofficial documentary photographer. His career had found him, but it took a moment for him to realize it. 

“My wife, who is an artist too, said to me, ‘have you ever thought about going to school for design, you have a huge design portfolio,’” he recalled. 

He let the idea simmer, then he gathered his work and brought it to Hannah Ueno, professor of Art. 

“Next thing I know, I was in the design program,” he said.  

Tesi wasn’t like most of the other students in class. He was 29 and had been learning by experience for the past decade, but like them, he was at Stockton to learn. 

“I came in with a lot of creative energy and had been so blessed to have seen so much, so for me, Stockton was amazing because I was raw. Hannah and Mike [McGarvey, professor of Art,] really helped me learn process, discipline, technical skills and the language of creativity,” he said.  

The connections he made within the community fueled his creativity and love of music. He found a friend in fellow creative Elijah Vargas, who is senior director of product design at Peacock. “Him and I were always really pushing each other which helped me,” said Tesi. 

He called in to WLFR Lake Fred Radio and made another lifelong friend, Daneil Mazone, who would give him a promo cassette tape that he listened to on repeat for months. The Nevermind album by rock band Nirvana became one of the greatest albums of all time. 

Mazone is director of media relations for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and she and Tesi still talk about their shared interests in surf, music and art. 

Creative direction allows him to “walk the fine line between hearts and minds,” he explained. “You have to check all the boxes. Can you see the product?  It needs to sell and function in a commerce capacity, but I also want it to be art and have that magic.” 

Tesi strives to “create meaning for the world.” 

“You have so many great levers that you can pull: the talent, the styling, the emotion from them, movement, the wind, the location, light and shadow,” he explained.   

“Stockton was so valuable to me, and I for sure wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without that education and experience I got there,” he said. 

Tesi’s advice to students is to find your interests and passions because they’ll never feel like work, and to get creative if you don’t land your dream job right away. 

“If you don’t get the opportunity. Make your own,” he said. 

A change of mindset can open new doors. 

“I didn't get to intern at Gucci right out of high school, but I was able to make things that I was passionate about, whether it was music or photography books or zines or whatever it was. If you don't get the opportunity to work for a great brand right away, start your own thing. People will see, and that'll open the doors for you,” he said.