Robin Curlee - Graphic Designer Interview
Robin Curlee of www.robinspromos.com has been supplying creative promotional items for the last few years. She has become an expert at fun, funky and current designs that continue to help businesses small and large all over the country spread their name to new customers. Her success is due in part to the great designs of her in-house designer, Bridgit Kingsbery. During her career, Bridgit learned a thing or two about successful design and how to achieve it on a consistent basis. She shares some of her wisdom (including her admiration of www.overnightprints.com) below.
How did you decide to become a designer?
Robin's Promos outsourced design work for several years. We discussed it and decided I would learn to use Illustrator and do our own, in-house design work.
What is your work environment like?
Relaxing, Calm & Fun
When starting a new project, do you start with hand drawn sketches or go straight to the screen?
Straight to the screen, in most cases
Is there a specific resource you couldn't work without?
Adobe Illustrator
If you could use one program for all your print needs, what would it be?
Depends on the project, we use Adobe Illustrator, but In Design is better for brochures etc.
Do you have a favorite font right now?
Not really. I like to mix up my fonts as often as possible to meet the clients needs.
Without too many specifics, describe your worst project.
A tri-fold brochure. The client kept changing their mind on the design and I re-created the brochure completely about 6 times.
During that brochure, I learned several things. First, I think, it has taught me to express my professional opinion regarding a clients wants and needs more, when I think it is necessary. Before this project, I would do exactly what was asked of me from the client. Now, I am more giving of my opinion regarding how something will or not work for the client's project. Second, it has taught me that you should always deal directly with one person on art projects. This client would bring changes to everyone in her office for opinions after every change or revision. This caused most of the headaches with this particular job. I learned that too many opinions cause too much grief and hard work for everyone involved. It is important to get opinions and ideas, but on a limited basis. It is best to have everyone involved in the project on the same page from the start. That was definitely not the case with this brochure project. Last, I think I mostly learned to be more confident in my ability to take a basic idea from a client and turn it into something beyond their initial expectations. I have found that adding a little extra creativity or imagination that the client wasn't expecting makes a great impact on how they react to the realization of their basic idea.
What was your favorite project?
I do not have a favorite, but always enjoy when I get creative liberties to do whatever I think would be best for a particular client.
What is your favorite part of the design process, why?
Getting to be creative and seeing the clients reaction to the designs I have created.
How do you keep your work fresh and relevant?
I use my imagination and try to do what the client expects, but with a little extra punch of fun or an unexpected twist
Do you or did you ever have a mentor? Please describe this person.
Yes. Robin Curlee Windham. She is a brilliant, successful entrepreneur that has helped me to grow my own talents and abilities by her example and support
Where do you draw your inspiration for layouts?
From the project itself and our what our client is trying to achieve
What is the best way to choose color combinations?
Chose base color families you want to use then go a color chart, PMS, and narrow it down to the exact colors
How do you pick projects to show in your portfolio?
I try to pick the projects that I have gotten the most feed back on
If you were not a designer, what would you be?
An office manager/executive assistant
Where do you think the industry is headed in the next 5 years?
Good question. The current economy has certainly slowed down print advertisement, but people still need design work regardless of print ad. I think there is always a need for design work, especially in America where there are so many small business owners look to brand themselves.
Why do you use OvernightPrints for your custom printing needs?
Bar none, Overnight has the highest quality product at the best prices. The paper stock is amazing, the ordering system is simple to use, the print quality to outstanding, and the prices are unbeatable. Also, Overnight seems to always be improving themselves and I like dealing with a company that is always looking for ways to be better!
