CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: EMILY AND STEPHANIE

For the month of September, I had the honor to chat with Art Director Emily Oh and Designer Stephanie Shorter!

How would you define design? Steph: It’s everywhere you look- whether it’s graphic design or in an ad you see. It’s just something you are always visualizing.

Emily: I think design is something that makes things easier to use and understand through visuals and drawings. What inspires your creativity? Steph: Music helps a lot for me and my personal designs. Music helps change my mood for certain projects. Working together with other designers and collaborating also keeps me inspired. 

Emily: Same for me. Just working together with other designers. For example, when we make mood boards together, I like to see how other people are making theirs and how they’re thinking about the tasks on their boards. 

How does one be creative?

Steph: I think for me at least, drawing and decorating my apartment. Overall what helped me was just letting go of the idea that it has to be perfect right away. Creativity is where you’re curious about something but don’t know how to bring it to life yet so you just kind of play around and experiment. Just immerse yourself in the process.

Emily: Get exposed to other creative work whether it’s a TV show or another designer’s work, animation, or drawing. Just explore and see a lot of different creative works. 

What are some sites you like to browse for moodboards, inspo etc.?

Steph: Pinterest, Behance, Dribble and Instagram and TikTok

Emily: Same! I also like awwwards.com

What commercial or brands do you think has one of the best designs?

Emily: I don’t know if I can say this but… Apple

Steph: Same haha. I also love A24! They have some sick designs.

What is your thought process behind designing something? 

Steph: Depends on the project. Usually I try to figure out the concept and what I want it to be. I think about what kind of space the design is going to be used for and how the user would feel using it. Also I will sometimes make a brain map of what could be on it and figure out the hierarchies. 

Emily: I start with thinking about the user and what the client would want.

How do you think others should think about design? 

Steph: I think if the design is simple and concise, I want them to know it’s not as simple as it seems. One thing can have many different variations. There’s so much thought that goes behind any design.

Emily: I want them to think the design is effective and purposeful. 

What is one tip you would tell someone who is interested in design?

Steph: Really understand how to conceptualize things because everything has to have a purpose. You need to have a reason for why you’re designing something.

Emily: Try to see all types of design and artwork.

What are some struggles you face as a designer and how do you overcome those?

Emily: When I design something for work, it can be really different than what my managers or clients thought. When that happens, I’ll have to re-do it and it’ll happen again…and again….and again.

Steph: Same as Emily and also the feeling of not being able to be creative sometimes. That’s why I need to work outside of work to keep my creativity going. Also dealing with the feeling of perfectionism and insecurity – everyone is a different designer and creative. Just because someone makes something doesn’t mean I can’t do it too or make something else. I also deal with having mental blocks and just have trouble thinking about what to do. 

Do you have a favorite artist or designer? (doesn’t have to be at Cheil)

Steph: Kel Lauren, Julia Fletcher, and Eleanor Osada.

Emily: I don’t have a specific artist or designer but I just like all work from 3D artists/designers 

Favorite artist from the past? 

Steph: David Carson or Paul Rand

Emily: Nam June Paik

How do you get out of an art slump?

Steph: Try to clear your mind and go for a walk. Just draw without thinking or taking a step back and just try not to overthink. You can also version stuff out till you see something that just clicks.

Emily: I just keep working and stay patient. Just keep working while you’re crying haha.

Favorite design program to use?

Steph: Adobe Illustrator

Emily: Adobe Illustrator

Thoughts on AI in the design industry?

Steph: I’m kind of back and forth because I can see how it can be very helpful especially when it comes to creating moodboards. I think there still should be good regulations on what you can use that’s public facing. There’s still the problem of it stealing from independent artists. I don't think it'll take our jobs because you still need that human interaction to make it human. AI can take away your own process and you end up not as disciplined.

Emily: I agree. I think as an art director in an agency, we get a lot of help from using AI but as an artist it can have more downsides. 

Favorite AI tool to use?

Steph: Midjourney or Chat GPT

Emily: Midjourney!

Do you think people need to go to art school to be an amazing creative?

Steph: No.I think as long as you put effort and have passion, anyone can be a designer.

Emily: I did more studio art and new media art. I made art videos and performance art videos and also I picked up design skills at my first job. I don’t think you need to go to art school to be an amazing designer. 

How do you want copy to work with design?

Steph: It depends on what I’m doing. I love doing abstract typography and sometimes I like how with whatever word you’re using, you can use different letter shapes to make something that looks better. I just love type that doesn’t look like type. For work, I love working together with copywriters side by side and just explaining things and being communicative together.

Emily: Same. I love working side by side and just checking together with the copywriter so it works together seamlessly.

Closing thoughts:

Steph: For work I know it’s not always the same, but outside of work. I have to remind myself to have fun with it. Just be passionate about what you do and put heart into it. I sometimes will have multiple thoughts and things I wanna do because I get overwhelmed when it’s not coming out perfectly. Nothing is ever going to be finished in the eye of a designer and sometimes being okay with where you’re at is an important part of design and just being okay to step away and let go.

Emily: It’s really fun and helpful to have this meeting to talk about design with you all and just keep yourself interested in design.