this designer is a photographer too!
By samantha
26 Jul 2007
What kind of designer are you?
I'm a graphic designer.
What did you want to do for a living when you were a kid?
When I was real little I wanted to be an astronaut...but then math got the better of me, along with a ride at the county fair and I decided defying spacial gravity was not my thing. I was always making things as a child...designing birthday cards, painting on my the basement walls at my parents house, so I decided I was much better suited with a career as an artist, and I know I made the right choice.
3. What is it about your design work that makes your photography better? And vice versa? Where do you see parallels between the two?
As a designer I spend so much time staring at the rectangular computer screen. It's so nice to use photography as an outlet to get away from the computer, but still create something I love. Photography lets me look at the world in a different way. It keeps me fresh and that reflects back to my design work. As a designer my world is a constant critique. My friends and family have gotten used to the fact that I'm dragging them along for the ride. They know the first thing I'm going to do is analyze the menu, not pick something to eat. Even when I'm shooting, I'm still designing within the frame of the camera. And having photographic knowledge is helpful when designing with photos as well. One of the first lessons learned as a photographer is being able to pre-visualize, which is also helpful in the world of design.
What do you find most challenging about your work?
It's important to stay current by watching trends, whether it's fashion or color. It's sometimes hard to find time to step away from the work load and check out what's going on in the world around you.
Do you have design heroes? Photography heroes
As design goes, I have much respect for Charles Eames...good lines are good lines, no matter what form they come in. Paul Rand is another. I have many more photography heros....Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Alfred Stieglitz, William Christenberry, and Ralph Gibson to name a few.
Name some unexpected sources of inspiration you've had.
My grandfather was a printmaker and and a child I spent time in his printshop. I loved watching him run the old presses and taking left over paper home. I didn't realize until much later in my life how much of an inspiration he was to me.
Do you have any regular habits/exercises that make you a better designer? Photographer?
Staying current with technology is a regular habit. When the equipment plays such a major role in the work day, it's important to know how to use it and fix it without help to keep things flowing. I also keep a design/photo tear book, which is full of clippings I've found that inspired me at the time.
