Who are you?
I’m Michael Coleman, a Boston Based Graphic Designer.
What do you do for a living and where do you do it?
Currently, I am a senior at Lesley University and a freelance designer. While I love all sorts of design, I am most interested in brand development.
What inspires you to do this kind of work?
Branding Is so exciting because it gives you the opportunity to find a real truth within a subject. Helping a client, big or small; (re)discover themselves is gratifying because there are often layers of information you can play with once all the pieces start interacting with each other.
How long have you been in the field?
I’ve been a design student for 7 years now, and a freelancer for 3.
Why did you get involved with AIGA? Why should someone become a member?
I got involved when I was asked to design elements for an AIGA event my professors had put together. I really loved the experience, and what the organization meant so I decided to join and become a part of it. Since then I’ve designed for a number of other events, the most recent one being the one for Vaughan Oliver. I love working on these because they force me to get creative and step outside my comfort zone to properly communicate what the event has in store. AIGA has given me a sense of community and belonging in my field that I really appreciate. I would suggest anyone who wants to broaden their capabilities, and understanding of design should become a member.
What advice would you give your past self?
Connect more! Reach out to your peers and join their community. Also, little successes can create a stagnant environment. Never ever stop striving for improvement.
Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
I always try to enter a project with no preconceived notions. I assume I know nothing about the subject when researching it because it helps find small bits of information that I might have glossed over otherwise.Interviews, and phone calls and long trips to the library are common for me so that I can understand what it is I’m working on. After that, I sketch and experiment by hand before a computer becomes involved. This allows for the happy accidents that I find are often more interesting that any ideas that come to mind in the more immediate steps of the process. I then move forward using technology to help finish the process, and better communicate the information.
Where can we find your work? Any projects you want to highlight?
My portfolio including my work for the AIGA can be found at mcolemandesign.carbonmade.com
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