Letters to a Young Graphic Designer
A Q&A on Graphic Prop Design
Hi, my friends! I think my email somehow ended up on a mass distribution list for college graduates, and I’ve had quite a few younger designers reach out with questions and requests for advice. Although I’ll never be as wise as Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet, I thought I’d answer some of their questions in one post in case it might be helpful!
What is your best advice for someone like me, who has one year left in school?
Practice your craft. Practice, practice, practice. Design a fake brand. Design fake film props. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll build a portfolio that you’re proud of.
Stay curious! Follow the creative sparks in your mind, whether or not someone assigns you the work. You have to pursue what you love to get the kind of work you want to be doing.
And when the time comes to interview for a position, always send a thank-you note. I once landed a job because of a thank-you note!
Where do you get inspiration from?
Online Archives
Here’s a site with a great list of archives to dig aroundReal Life Design Archives
Most libraries have an archive you can dig around in, scan, and take photos of past design ephemera. If you can find a design school near you, they most certainly have a type/design/photo archive. I specifically like to go to the Pasadena Art Center archives.Estate Sales
Head to an estate sale and dig around the books and boxes of ephemera. It will open your mind!Travel
This may seem obvious, but traveling is an incredible way to gather inspiration. Something happens to the brain when we see something new! This doesn’t have to be across the world; it can even be exploring a new neighborhood on foot in your town. Document the murals. Fill up your camera roll with photos of the tile work and signage!
How do I start creating personal work?
I started creating personal project “briefs” for myself in 2014 when I felt burnt out from my day job. I talk a lot about that process over at The People’s Graphic Design Archive!
Here are some examples of personal project briefs I’ve done:
• Create a receipt design from every decade from 1930-1980
• Create a graphic prop a day based on the film Psycho for 15 days
• Design three 1930s-inspired can labels
• Design a cannabis packaging design from the logo, to the label, to the box
• Create motel ephemera based on my small town’s one motel in 1960
What skills are essential for a graphic designer?
Emotional Regulation: Being a designer has its highs and deep lows when it comes to feedback. It is so easy to attach your self-worth to the work. Some people deliver feedback better than others. If you receive tough feedback, take a breath and go for a walk!
Project Management: Learn how to create an itemized timeline for your projects. It will help create boundaries for your own time, and the client will know what and when to expect.
Learn the Basics of Print Production: In a digital world, learn the basics of print production! You will be asked to create a packaging design. You will be asked to turn the brand design into a brochure. Know how to set up print files (CMYK/Pantone, bleed and crop marks, high-res PDFs).
Master the Pen Tool in Illustrator: If you can master the Pen Tool in Illustrator, you can create anything.
Keep Studying Graphic Design Outside of College.
What is your process for creating your props?
It always starts with research and thinking about the story that needs to be told through these pieces. I consider questions like:
What year does this need to reflect? What is the setting? Who would be holding this in their hand?
Then, I research designs from the past through eBay, the Library of Congress archives, and other online archives.
My main tool for designing props is a self-made type library I created by researching pre-1920s fonts to 1960s, as that’s the period I love to work in. I have a giant Illustrator file where that organized list of fonts lives, so I can quickly reference them.
I recently documented the foundation of my design process here!
Was there a project or a specific moment that marked a turning point in your career?
Yes. During the pandemic, I created a bunch of props based on an old motel in my hometown. This was the first project where it felt like my love for storytelling, research, and vintage design “clicked.” It sent me down an amazing spiral of wanting to create more props! More stories!
Has your vision of the profession changed over time? What motivates you in this field, and what aspects of the job are you most passionate about?
Definitely. My profession has weaved in and out of working for brands and then working for myself. I used to think reaching a Creative Director role was the goal. Then I became a creative director, and although I enjoyed aspects of it, I found myself frequently making personal projects on the side to feed my desire to create. At this point in my career, I am really enjoying working with clients who see value in crafting stories with beautiful designs and who trust me to get them to that point. I find myself extremely lucky to now be at the point where I’m hired for work based on my passion, vintage-inspired prop design. Sometimes I still can’t believe I get to do this for a living!
What is your favorite prop you have designed and why?
I’m not actually a prop designer for TV/film! However, brands do hire me to make prop designs. My favorite props I’ve made for fun have to be a collection of car repair receipts. I’ve always been fascinated by forms and receipts, and I designed a whole collection from 1930 to the present day.
Who else can teach me about prop design?
Gina Alessi is a designer for TV/film. Sign up here to get her field guide:
Design prompts from TV/film designer Mary Hayes:
Watch Annie Atkins’ Domestika course on graphic prop-making
Thank you for hanging with me here for this designer Q&A! Feel free to ask additional questions in the comments. And as always, I so appreciate you being here!
Love,
Beth