Browsing Tag

Creative

Interview

Guest Artist Interview – Chris Svoboda

March 31, 2016
Photo credit @Chris Svoboda

Time flies when your having…fun? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been trying to escape the blizzards of Denver. I’m so ready for warmer weather, breezy open windows, birds, open toe shoes, not having to scrap ice and snow off my car. You get the idea.

Tonight I’m so excited to present a very talented local artist who specializes in clean, creative design and raw ingenuity. Meet Chris Svoboda from Denver, CO and be sure to click the links below to see more of his work.

Behance  |  Instagram

 

Interview

1 Tell us a little about yourself and how did you get into design?

Becoming a collegiate athlete was once my biggest goal, followed closely by a desire to become a top chef. As I began my athletic career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while studying to become a nutritionist, I quickly found that I didn’t feel fulfilled in either path. I started a mission to dig into my interests and find out just what exactly made me tick. While filling general requirement courses for my major, I stumbled upon a course that focused solely on advertising. Throughout the course, I developed a passion for the creative side of advertising and the idea that I could have the power to create something from nothing. I changed my major to Advertising and began narrowing down where my passions fell in the creative zone. As the youngest in my family I spent a lot of time reworking hand-me-down toys to fit my interests and filling every inch of my room with drawings. It didn’t take long to find my niche in design and I haven’t looked back since. Through countless hours of tutorials, perhaps too many coffee breaks, and an endless fascination with the Adobe creative suite, I’ve landed in my place as a graphic designer.

 

Photo credit @Chris Svoboda

Photo credit @Chris Svoboda

 

2 Walk us through a typical day?

As I’m currently looking for my next opportunity as a graphic designer I’ve been keeping busy by expanding my skill set, freelancing, and sending out more emails than I’d like to count. When I’m not working on my trusty laptop, I’m doodling or working on DIY projects around the house.


Describe your style/aesthetic and where do you draw your inspiration from?

I do my best not to get comfortable and stick with one particular design style as there are so many to choose from and grow with. My work typically has a clean aesthetic but it truly comes down to what or whom I’m designing for.

My guilty pleasure is illustration. It makes me feel like I’m a kid again, watching old school Disney cartoons and creating my own characters. 

 

Photo credit @Chris Svoboda

Photo Credit: Chris Svoboda

Photo credit @Chris Svoboda

 

On your site, you reference sasquatch a few times, any backstory on your rare creature interactions?

The sasquatch is my way of saying that my style and background is different and that I don’t want to be put in a category as a designer with a single track of work. I chose the sasquatch because it follows its own path and still makes history.

 

Photo credit: Chris Svoboda

Photo credit: Chris Svoboda

 

What are some of your favorite pastimes?

I’ve always found the best way for me to unwind was through exploration. I’m always up for a hike, trying a food truck, or even a drive through the mountains. I like to live life a little off the map and off the wall.

Thanks again!

Photo credits: Chris Svoboda

Design

Productivity Tips from Top Designers

January 30, 2016
Photo credit @jennetsaitquoi!

It’s the end of January…the energetic oomph of the new year is starting to fade. I know for myself, I’m still just as determined to accomplish my goals but the motivation level is starting to lag. Good news! Top productivity tips from the best entrepreneurs and designers to get you motived and pushing the envelope of design and life in general.

 

1 | Jot It Down

“I have my sketchbook on me at all times. Sketching helps me to externalize the craziness going on in my head, allowing me to see a clearer path of what to move forward with.”
—Leah Shea, product designer at ustwo

 

Photo credit: https://ustwo.com/

Photo credit: ustwo

 

2 | Quality over Quantity

“You want to be productive? Focus. Do one amazing thing each day. It could be for the world, your life, your partner, or for a friend. But if you do one great thing a day, well, that’s a f***ing productive day.”
—Golden Krishna, senior UX designer, Zappos

 

3 | Little by Little

“I found breaking down big goals into smaller tasks to be the best way for me to get things done. I can make small progress and knock off these bite-size tasks whenever I have a moment.”
 —Jannie Lai, head of UX, Light

 

Photo credit @https://light.co/

Photo credit: Light

4 | Strategize

“A lot of time can be wasted in pursuit of the wrong goal. The longer I have worked as a designer, the more I have learned establishing that you are working on the right thing from the beginning, not just working, boosts productivity. Sure, in the moment, time spent asking yourself, ‘Am I working on the right thing?’ makes you feel anxious, but it’s worth it.”
—Jared Ficklin, Argo Design

 

photo credit @http://www.argodesign.com/
Photo credit: Argo Design

 

5 | Take a Step Outside

“Many of my design ideas and strategies came from my showers or evening walks.”
 —Jannie Lai, head of UX, Light

 

6 | Let Yourself Off the Hook

“It’s hard to tear myself away, especially when I’m stuck and I’m starting to get get anxious, but it helps ground me and puts me in a better mood if I take a moment to do something I enjoy. Instead of trying to get inspired by looking at Dribbble, or other apps, I look at something completely different. For example, I love mid-century furniture. So I’ll go on my favorite sites, Instagram accounts, Etsy, and look at beautiful mid-century furniture and accessories. I also love to cook, so I’ll go to my favorite YouTube channels and watch a couple videos. ”
—Addy Beavers, UX designer, Google Play

 

7 | One for the Home Team

“Think about all your haters and the people who don’t believe in you. That’s a huge motivator, as well as thinking about how good it feels to see something you made in the world. Focus on the ends and the means become easier.”
 —Ryder Ripps, creative director, OKFocus

 

Life and Things

5 Steps to Cure Indoor Apathy

November 18, 2015
Plant3

Despite the cave-like comforts of drifting off into a deep pleasant sleep, the shadows of winter time zones eventually take their toll resulting in indoor apathy. Here are 5 easy steps to brighten up any nook or corner of your home and add creative flair.

Step One
Choose a corner, shelf space, reading nook that you wish to “enlighten.”

Plant2

Step Two
Gather a few indoor potted plants, preferably ones that require very little maintenance. Areca Palms, Aloe, Diffenbochia, Spider Plants etc. are all very low care plants which make for great winter companions.

Step Three
Next, pick up a set of decorative firefly lights, I found these from Urban Outfitters but really any décor retailer should carry something similar.

Plant4

Step Four
Finally, collect a few glass items to display your lighting. Mason jars, fish bowls, cake covers will all work great for this set up and typically cost ones of dollars at your local thrift store.

Step Five
Done! A beautiful nook of light to cheer up any wintery night (or day).

Plant1

Photo credit: Urban Outfitters