AIGA/NY & Spark Design Professionals Present: Life After Design: Graphic Designers That Have Moved On To Success In Other Industries
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (6:30pm time to chat, 7pm discussion begins )
Cost: 1 free ticket for members, $15.00 for non-members
Whether it’s cupcakes, ceramics or crafts most designers have an alternate passion. Ever think of following that passion full-time? Meet three former designers who did, and created thriving new businesses:
Erik Goetze - Blue Sky Bakery
Parsons graduate Erik Goetze decided to pursue his passion for baking during an epiphany he had while on an adventure trek to Nepal. He left his career as an NYC art director and designer to open Blue Sky Bakery in Park Slope, where it quickly developed a loyal following. New York Magazine has praised Blue Sky for its ". . . good, clean design..." and ". . . sunny décor," as well as for its "main attraction—muffins." The New York Times has called the shop a "nine-foot-wide ray of sunshine."
Denyse Schmidt - Denyse Schmidt Quilts
Former graphic designer and RISD graduate Denyse Schmidt creates witty and eclectic quilts that have won her wide acclaim in both the art and crafting worlds. Her work has been exhibited around the country and published in hundreds of distinguished magazines and newspapers worldwide, including The New York Times Magazine, TIME, and PeopleMagazine. She is also the author of a line of books and stationery published by Chronicle Books. Denyse has appeared on several national television shows, including Martha Stewart Living. Her quilts have been sold at Takashimaya, Land of Nod, Neiman Marcus and ABC Carpets to name a few.
Randi Brookman Harris - Randi Brookman Harris
Ever since staging her first 'photo shoot' at the age of five, Randi Brookman Harris has been fascinated with styling. She studied graphic design at the SVA, and after working in the field for a few years, jettisoned her love of typography to heed siren’s call of prop styling and creative direction. Randi talked her way into her first stylist job at Martha Stewart Living, and has since gone on to work with Real Simple, InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, kate spade, Jack Spade, JCrew, Chronicle Books, body+soul, Money Magazine, Conde Nast, NYLON, Ogilvy & Mather, Meredith Corporation, Time inc., JDub Records, and Michael Graves Design Group among others.
Moderated by Marc S Levitt
As partner of graphic design firm MSLK with his graphic designer wife — and himself being third-generation graphic designer — Marc is fascinated by anyone who isn't a graphic designer.
Spark Design Professionals is proud to partner with AIGA/NY for this fantastic event. With over 2,500 members, the New York chapter of AIGA is the associations largest and most influential chapter. Through its programming, the chapter attracts both members and non-members who are engaged in the business of design.