Go Deskside With Our Graphic Design Team
Go Deskside With Our Graphic Design Team
Many of us dream about entering a creative field. From afar, it looks glamorous and inspiring — and it is — but what most don’t see are the other skills that go into making a creative career successful.
Each month I look on in wonder as our graphic design team tackles hundreds and hundreds of creative needs. They layout the catalog, design gateways on the site, create emails, build sweepstakes, revamp hang tags… and so, so much more. Beyond the sheer volume, this is the fashion industry. We need everything, like, yesterday. Deadlines are very real and crucial. The pressure to stay organized while being efficient and creating under immense pressure is an everyday reality.
It takes a very special person to perform creatively under such circumstances, but our graphic design team pulls it off with poise each and every time. They truly make a creative occupation look like a dream, and so I wanted to sit down and get a peek into some of their secrets. How do they handle the office woes while managing to stay so creatively driven? What do they surround themselves with, what tools have they found, and where do they look to for inspiration? Here, we go desk side with the Free People graphic design team and get to know each member a little more:
Abby – Assistant Graphic Designer
How do you…
Stay inspired: I try to go to a lot of museums and craft shows, and I follow a lot of the artists that inspire me on Instagram so I can keep up with their new work. I also like to travel — or even just discover new places nearby whenever I get the chance — a change in scenery is definitely inspiring!
Find work/life balance: I try to keep myself just as busy outside of work as I am at work. It’s definitely good to relax, but I think I feel more fulfilled when I spend my afternoons and weekends exploring, working on new projects, and being around friends.
What do you use to…
Catalog inspiration: Pinterest! I also have a box at home filled with little flyers/art/magazine clippings/etc. that I use for inspiration and collage
Pack your lunch: Haha, ideally… if I’m being good I’d pack myself a salad every day… but lets be honest, more often than not, I just go over to the cafe here at the office.
Which is your favorite…
Project you’ve worked on: Probably the Fall Edit book that was in Free People stores a few months ago, or a moon poster I designed for the Spirituality Shop!
Way to stay energized: I try to work out at least a few times a week. I feel like this helps keep me energized throughout the day more than anything… but when I need an extra boost I’ll drink a chai tea!
Medium: Pen/paper
Blog for inspiration: Designspiration, The Graphic Exchange, Site Inspire, and of course Pinterest
Tumblr for inspiration: Typeverything, H-o-r-n-g-r-y, United by Blue, and A Well-Traveled Woman are some of my favorites.
Instagram for inspiration: Mrseaves101, Joshuanoom, Goodtype, and Jennynieh!
Jenny – Assistant Graphic Designer
How do you…
Get to work: I’m a commuter! I travel by train and shuttle everyday.
Start your morning: Kale x berries smoothie, then emails.
Keep organized: Lots of desk cleaning actually, jotting things down and crossing things out helps when there’s a lot to keep track of too!
Track your past work: I’ve a favorites folder.
What do you use to…
Schedule meetings: My trusted Outlook
Write: A square ruled notebook
Build a portfolio: Squarespace
Which is your favorite…
Project you’ve ever worked on: 2014 Moon Phase calendar for Free People… it was so much fun to work on!
Afternoon snack: Lately? Miso soup!
Way to stay energized: Little chit chats with my desk mates.
Medium: Watercolor and ink
Blog for inspiration: La Mignonette!
Tumblr for inspiration: Apiece Apart Notes from Apart
Instagram for inspiration: @trottermag for travel inspiration, and @nesttogether because it’s curated so lovely!
Alistair – Assistant Graphic Designer
How do you…
Get to work: My little Mazda that’s driven me across the country three times!
Stay inspired: By traveling, constantly experiencing new things, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone in all aspects of design and life.
Start your morning: Every morning I wake up to my dog at the end of the bed, I make sure to squeeze her then go straight to the kitchen to start up some coffee.
Keep organized: I keep a lot of lists and make sure to always have a small notebook and pen on me. I also couldn’t live without Basecamp, my trusty project manager.
Find work/life balance: Going on a long walk with my dog right after work helps me re-charge and let the work day release.
Track your past work: I use a site called ‘dribbble’ to post small snippets of what I’ve worked on, or what I’m currently working on. It’s like a small self curated portfolio!
What do you use to…
Write: A pencil so I can clean up my mistakes quickly
Build a portfolio: Investing in a nice camera is the best thing I ever did for my portfolio! Having amazing photos of your work to properly showcase your design is key.
Pack your lunch: Weck Jars are the best!
Which is your favorite…
Music to play at work: Old school hip hop! Dr. Dre, 2pac, and Outkast to get pumped up.
Way to stay energized: laughing with my teammates throughout the day, getting outside, blasting some hip hop and a few cups of coffee.
Medium: India ink and a fresh new brush
Blog for inspiration: Print.pm for print inspiration and Site Inspire for web
Tumblr for inspiration: Stock & Barrel Co.
Instagram for inspiration: For gorgeous photos: @bennnnnnnngie and for lettering: @bmddesign
Monica – Graphic Design Assistant
How do you…
Stay inspired: I find myself working on a couple different projects at once to stay inspired.
Start your morning: I really enjoy getting to the Navy Yard early to drink coffee, get updated on blogs, and check email. I’m a morning person so if I don’t have this time to myself, it throws off my entire day!
Find work/life balance: Since I’m indoors and at my desk for most of the day, I try to be outside or work on projects off of the computer in my down time.
Track your past work: Photograph physical works, scan old projects and keep them all on a hard drive. I name/date sketchbook entries every day too, so I can keep track of my paper trail.
What do you use to…
Schedule meetings: Either Google Calendars or Microsoft Office.
Write: PaperMate Sharp Writer — Mechanical Pencil
Make phone calls: iPhone
Which is your favorite…
Project you’ve ever worked on: I really love print projects — hang tags, clothing labels, and greeting cards are some of my favorites to date!
Afternoon snack: Apple + almond butter! Y U M
Music to play at work: Making + finding playlists on Spotify is my second job – I’m constantly on the hunt for new favorites! Currently listening to a ‘Lonesome Cowboys’ themed playlist.
Medium: Ink
Blog for inspiration: Design Observer and Manhattan Nest.
Tumblr for inspiration: Jeremy and Claire Weiss (Day19) Photography
Instagram for inspiration: Currently obsessed with Aleph Geddis’s studio space @alephgeddis and Hack With Design clothing @hackwithdesign.
Kellyn – Associate Graphic Designer
How do you…
Get to work: I carpool with one of my best friends, Nikki, and my puppy Daisy.
Stay inspired: Staying full of wonder for beautiful things, people, places, possibility.
Find work/life balance: I learned this lesson the hard way years ago. The key to being your happiest most creative self at work is caring for your creative soul and self in your time away from work. Living life to the fullest lights a creative fire in you. If you’re grounded deep down, everything else will fall into place.
What do you use to…
Write: Evernote or Mac Reminders
Decorate: Collected vintage pieces, ephemera, plants, anything French or Victorian, favorite colors and patterns.
Build a portfolio: Cargo
Which is your favorite…
Project you’ve ever worked on: The evolving FP homepage – so fun to imagine and re-imagine this space.
Music to play at work: T.Rex, Stones, Supremes, Billie Holiday, Solange, Beck. Chances With Wolves, a favorite radio station Lizzy introduced me to. Or Philly based faves! Needle Points, Spacin, War on Drugs.
Way to stay energized: Water.
Medium: Mixed media/collage.
Blog for inspiration: Miss Moss
Instagram for inspiration: @Quentin_Jones
Lizzy – Assistant Art Director
How do you…
Start your morning: Coffee and a good playlist for the room, look though emails then get going.
Keep organized: Have to keep a checklist and keep folders super organized.
Find work/life balance: When you do something you love it’s easy to have fun at work, the girls on the team are so fun to be around.
What do you use to…
Write: Thin sharpie-obsessed.
Make phone calls: Not often making phone calls! Usually IM-ing or emailing.
Decorate: Have to redecorate my desk every six months to keep my eyes fresh and happy.
Pack your lunch: I have a little bento lunch box I got at the MoMa store.
Which is your favorite…
Music to play at work: Everything! We keep a shared Spotify we’re always adding to.
Way to stay energized: Get up and walk around, tea!
Medium: Pen and ink.
Blog for inspiration: Miss Moss.
Instagram for inspiration: I love following online shops or designers who are doing cool things.
Thank you to the FP Graphic Design team for letting us into your creative worlds! xx
Follow Naomi on Instagram @NumieAbbot
Check out Naomi’s blog Numie Abbot