“I originally came to Orlando to work for Disney as a graphic designer, but have since landed a job at Push as Jr. Art Director. I specialize in branding, editorial layouts, lettering and illustration, but really I love dabbling in everything.”
Favorite type designers? Erik Marinovich, Louise Fili, H&FJ, Ken Barber, & Herb Lubalin to name a few.
Process for creating type? Sketch, scan and trace is my process. I usually sketch the skeleton first to make sure I get the composition right, then using tracing paper I’ll go over it to add more depth and variation. This initial phase is especially important with custom type or lettering because it helps me create that unique composition from the start. I usually take my sketch as far as I can go structurally to help me when I take it into the computer. After scanning it I trace my sketch with the pen tool pretty closely and then adjust as needed. If I want to keep the hand-drawn look I’ll just Photoshop it. Other methods I’ve used include a tablet (for hand-drawn type), or using actual typefaces as a base to build my idea off of.
Where do you find inspiration? I try as much as I can to mix my inspiration from modern and historical resources. In school they taught us that “You’re only as good as your obscure resources.” To add to that we had a resource room full of old obscure design books that I would scan and drool over. So I try to turn to books when I get the chance. You never know, sometimes libraries surprise you with a solid design section. I’m also a big blog follower, after-all they’re the ones digging for inspiration for a living, right? They do all the hard work for me and then I pin it for later. My favorite blogs are Brand New, Design Work Life, and Grain Edit. I’m also inspired by fashion, architecture, industrial design, and photography.
Last three songs you listened to while designing? “Fineshrine” by Purity Ring, “U + Me =” by Dan Black, and “Shuffle a Dream” by Little Dragon.
Each Tuesday we’ll feature a designer who loves type or a type that designers love. If you would like to be featured in Type Tuesday, send your portfolio or website link and a short bio to socialmedia@orlando.aiga.org.
