6KQ: Six Kwik Questions With Trevor Gilley, Graphic Designer

For this first edition of the ‘6KQ: Six Kwik Questions’ interview series, I approached Trevor Gilley, a graphic designer based in New York City, USA, whose website and portfolio have been a good source of inspiration to me, many times over. The following Q & A session was the result of my correspondence with him.

[Note: All images used in this entry are the property of Trevor Gilley and may not be re-used without his permission.]

1. Me: Thank you for taking time out to participate in this interview, Trevor. To start with, I’m curious to know how you entered the field of Graphic Design. When/How did you know that you wanted to be a designer?

Trevor: I think most designers discover their ability to communicate through images at a rather young age. For me, it was always easier to express what I was thinking in the form of a picture because it was an exact interpretation of the idea that was in my head.

When I discovered that Graphic Design could be a professional career, I decided to pursue my formal design education at Missouri State University in America. The program there is quite unique in the fact that all the design and illustration professors are Eastern European or Asian. They’ve somehow managed to create this pocket of culture and classic design aesthetic in one of the most conservative places in the Midwest.

2. Me: I’ve heard/read/seen a lot about New York City being a great place to live and work in, especially if you’re doing anything creative. Do you think you’re more fortunate in that regard to be surrounded by people who pretty much breathe art and culture, as compared to residents of other cities in the world (except maybe London and Tokyo)?

Trevor: I’ve always believed that to be a successful designer you have to surround yourself with people that share the same passion for creativity and art. New York City is an amazing place where all of these extremely talented people come to pursue what they love to do, it creates an environment that forces personal growth for fear of being left behind in the flow of energy.

Another reason I love NYC is because of the huge amounts of cultural influences that are available in such a concentrated place. The exposure to different people and their customs is something that I’m most inspired by.

3. Me: What’s your favourite thing about being a graphic designer?

Trevor: Being a graphic designer means that I get to wake up everyday and do what I love. I’m assigned the problem of communicating someone’s idea or product in a way that will be understood by many people. Hopefully they will see what I create and think about the message in a way that is meaningful and unique to each person.

A friend recently compared design to scratching an itch. She said there has to be a purpose for you to spend your time doing it and in the end the scratch always makes you feel better.

4. Me: I find your website and work very inspiring. So much so, that I’ve added a link to your website on my ‘Links’ page. Which designers/websites/blogs/publications do you turn to for inspiration?

Trevor: Most of my design inspiration comes from mid-century design masters that created images of timeless beauty and intellect. That said I do keep a list of blogs (see attached image) that I check on a regular basis for short bursts of inspiration. The one that I’m most fond of at the moment is Idsgn (http://www.idsgn.org).

Blogs that Trevor follows.

It’s very important to have influences outside the world of design. Staying informed of the latest trends/styles and popular culture is an important part of our professions but we should also have interests that are totally unrelated to design. Personally I turn to food as a way to see how other people mix raw ingredients to create an extension of their personality, it is extremely intimate and beautiful.

5. Me: What can Trevor be found doing when not working?

Trevor: Typically I work a lot but when I’m not designing I really enjoy the company of close friends and really good food. NYC has so much to offer when it comes to authentic cuisine from all parts of the world. I’ve really become spoiled by having such diversity in a concentrated place.

I recently took a short trip to the mountains of up-state New York. Spending the weekend in a small log cabin on the edge of a lake, surrounded by nature and free of the usual distractions was a great contrast from the grind of the city. I think injecting diversity in life is the best way keep a fresh outlook that generates new ideas.

6. Me: And finally, what’s good? {:P (If you don’t understand the joke, visit Trevor’s website at http://www.trevorgilley.com/ and look around.)

Trevor: What is good? It is something that I constantly ask myself when I experience something new or see something that makes me think or inspires. It’s also very subjective and every individual evaluates it on a personal level, the answer tells you a lot about how someone thinks and feels. Always ask questions and never take anything for granted, you will be a better designer because of it. Design is Good.

To know more about Trevor, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.