I Want To Be... A Graphic Designer!

[ 23 September 2008 ]

Nubby Twiglet

Who is Nubby Twiglet? ...What, are you kidding?! Have you been hiding under a rock for the last 2 years? GEEZ!

As well as being a fabulous Virgo, Nubby has one of the strongest senses of personal style of anyone I know. She works full-time as an artist & graphic designer, & also runs a super-popular blog. Her work ethic is incredible & her dedication to what she does is nothing short of inspiring. I think she is an absolutely brilliant person, & as I’ve just spent a little over week in her constant company, it seemed like the perfect time to share this interview with you!

<3 Tell us about what you do.
I work full time as a graphic designer and do PR and marketing tasks as well at Nemo Design in Portland, Oregon. Besides that, I do freelance design (mostly logos and branding) and mixed media collage for art shows around the world. Somewhere in between, I run a blog.

<3 How long ago did you start on this path?
When I was in high school, I would dig up old advertising books in the library and cut out images from dusty design annuals, but I didn’t realize that graphic design was a viable profession. Instead, being the good, practical Virgo that I am, I went to school for business first. It was incredibly hard, but it taught me how to market myself and made me more well rounded.

I still knew that art was my true passion, but I wanted to make money doing it so graphic design made sense. I met my boyfriend in 2004 and he’d been a graphic designer for 10 years and told me that if I was really serious about it, I should go to school. I started a two year program in 2006 (and just finished!)

<3 How long were you doing it before you made it into your career or primary form of income?
I landed my first big freelance gig for Virgin Records during my second semester of school. In a matter of weeks, I’d made the equivalent of seven months of working at my retail job! After that, the steady work kept rolling in and I never looked back.

<3 Do you think official qualifications are important for someone entering your industry?
It depends. There are a handful of designers that I know of that are self-taught and do amazing work. On the other hand, school really does put you through the paces and by being pushed to do projects you don’t necessarily like, it prepares you for the real world of clients and deadlines. In the end, it all comes down to how good your portfolio is!

<3 What do you think is the best thing about working for yourself?
Doing freelance design can be hugely rewarding. People choose you because they like your style. You can also decide on the clients that you want to work with and set your own rates!

<3 What’s the worst thing?
It’s easy to lose track of hours and to get caught up in a project. There are no set work hours, no set lunch time or breaks. It’s up to you to say no if you think something isn’t going to work which can be incredibly hard.

<3 Rate how happy you are with what you do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an average day.
I’s say 90. The people I work with at my day job are awesome. I’m the only girl designer on staff and the guys I work with are hilarious. They’re always skateboarding past my desk! The work I do is fun, too. I do a fair amount of logo development and write for the company blogs. It’s a nice mix of design and marketing tasks.

<3 Would you call yourself a workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think that’s normal for your industry?
Hell yes! I was raised to work hard and I’m proud of making my own money. There are so many talented designers and if I want to eventually be at their level, I know that it’s going to take years of hard work. It is pretty normal as a designer to be a workaholic because there’s always something new to obsess over and new ideas are always transpiring.

<3 What would your suggestions be for someone who wants to do what you do?
Don’t worry about trying to get into the fanciest school. Subscribe to tons of design blogs and start an inspiration folder on your computer. Start a collection of well-designed brochures, business cards and magazines that you come across. Find a mentor that can encourage you to keep pushing forward and help you find an internship. Don’t be afraid of starting a blog to publish your work and get feedback. Join online portfolio sites (some of my biggest jobs have been through Flickr) and start networking. Get a membership to AIGA and attend local networking events. Never give up; the more challenging a job is, the more you’ll realize you learned from it when you look back.

<3 What do you wish you had known when you first started out?
That it’s okay to not know everything and it’s also okay to ask questions; most designers are incredibly forgiving and are willing to help you because they were probably in your shoes once.

<3 Are there any major misconceptions about your job or industry?
From the outside, people might expect designers at an ad agency to be really slick and whip a project out really fast. In reality, it can take weeks or months of working with a client to get a job done.

<3 What motivates you to keep doing what you’re doing?
The endless amount knowledge that it’s possible to acquire can be overwhelming but I’m naturally a competitive person and I am always striving to get better at what I do. I was given a huge opportunity; within a week of graduating, I was offered a full-time position at one of the coolest, most progressive companies around and I never want to lose sight of that. The design world can be really intense and there’s always going to be someone that’s better than you. The point is to never give up and to move forward in some way every single day.

<3 Who do you look up to within your industry & why?
I love seeing seeing the work of other girl graphic designers like Antigirl, design that kills, Abby Clawson Low and Oh Joy! Studio. I also like the styles of NEUARMY and Scott Hansen and too many more people to list. People with strong aesthetics win me over every time!


Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala <3


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Comment

  1. I’ve only recently started following Nubby’s blog, but I think she is fabulous – thank-you for a great article, Gala – she is one talented woman!

    <3 x Miss Corrine x · Sep 23, 02:49 AM · #

  2. Like Miss Corrine, I recently discovered Nubby’s blog and I think she is extremely talented. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to get to know her a bit better.

    <3 Marisol · Sep 23, 03:15 AM · #

  3. thanks so much for this article! i’ve always been interested in graphic design and of course in the lovely nubby! you must be bursting with pride for your other half :P

    <3 tara · Sep 23, 03:15 AM · #

  4. great stuff! i’m a graphic designer myself and its always great to hear other peoples stories of how they became a designer and all their top tips! :D

    ta very much gala and nubs!

    <3 kaz · Sep 23, 03:21 AM · #

  5. I suspect a lot of this advice applies to other art-related careers, and in that way, this was a very A+ interview.

    <3 mikolina · Sep 23, 04:23 AM · #

  6. Ouh! I was really happy to read this :D I love reading your “I Want To Be…” I am a graphic designer myself (hopefully on my way up since I’m pretty much stranded in one spot; looking for an opportunity to break through ) It’s great to read about the ups of it and taking advice from the Great Nubby herself got me very much motivated and am very glad to be in the business :) Thanks Gala & Nubby! ♥♥♥

    <3 Kitty · Sep 23, 04:24 AM · #

  7. I’m studying a diploma of graphic design at the moment and hoping to move onto a bacholer of design next year. Like Nubby, I am very into the art side but need want to make a decent amount of money at the same time.

    My main plan is to work on design and fine art simultaneously until my fine art pays the bills and graphic design becomes a sort of ‘when I need to make the ends meet’ job.

    <3 Steph-knee · Sep 23, 04:27 AM · #

  8. Something I’ve always been curious about regarding the field of graphic design is this: Do you have to be a talented visual artist in order to do it, or do you just need a “good eye”? It seems like everyone I know who is pursuing or has pursued graphic design is someone who draws and/or paints well (I went to an arts magnet high school… 10 years ago, eep!... so I know a few such people). I’m the sort of person who can see what they want in their mind’s eye, but can never fully realize the image. Graphic design isn’t really a field I’m drawn to personally, but I’ve always been curious if people who can’t draw are just sort of naturally ruled out of the profession.

    <3 Becca · Sep 23, 04:57 AM · #

  9. becca – I must admit, I have a fairly strong visual artist background and i work as a graphic designer. I’d often say my skills in drawing are sometimes better than my illustration works on the computer!

    I would say you don’t have to necessarily have a visual background, but as you say ‘a good eye’ is essential in design. It is so important to know what colours work well, how to make a layout work, what fonts are appropriate etc. Bad design is one of the most cringe worthy things ever. For example – primary colours, Comic Sans and pixellated images! (oh the horror!)

    Mind you, a few people I met at university weren’t as good in the sketching/drawing/painting side, but were tremendous in 3d design. I guess it just varies!

    <3 kaz · Sep 23, 05:20 AM · #

  10. Love Nubbys work, it’s so visually inspiring and I love how there is a certain style she always sticks to. I started reading her blog about a month ago and I totally enjoy it! She has so much energy.

    Inspired to ask this because of this series:
    I am torn between doing two things in my life; photographing people in interesting places (oo-err) or singing in a 2-piece band (drummer and singer/guitarist). Photographer is a relatively recent thing after realising I love photos, but I’ve wanted to be a musician for years. Lately I’ve been questioning that though and can’t decide whether I want to be a musician because that’s what I like doing or because it seems exciting and I’d love to play at Glastonbury (or similar). I am stuck in a rut where I’m not sure which I enjoy to actually do more and which I just want to be because it seems cool. How do you think I could work it out?

    <3 Kati · Sep 23, 05:41 AM · #

  11. Such great insights! I have tons of graphic designer friends, but have never talked history and shop with them. Fascinating to learn more of Nubby’s history!

    <3 Sal · Sep 23, 05:48 AM · #

  12. I work on the “other side” of Advertising/Marketing/ Design as an Account Supervisor in an agency. As Nubby says, it is hard work but it can be fun… and this field is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting business field.

    Although, I often tell new people to think hard about it – it’s a lot of frustration and rejection. You need to be resilient.

    Nubby has an amazing aesthetic in art and in life.

    Poochie

    <3 Poochie · Sep 23, 06:09 AM · #

  13. I am a religious follower of Nubby’s blog, I have been reading it for over a year now. Her work is so inspiring to me and she is someone I definitely look up to being a graphic designer myself. It has been fun to see her development and school projects as I was in school studying graphic design at the same time. Sometimes during class I would even log onto her blog to show my classmates and instructors examples of work she had produced, especially when we had a similar assignment. Her blog is one of my top favorites and I read it daily.

    <3 Elizabeth · Sep 23, 06:17 AM · #

  14. I dreamed about you and Nubby all night on saturday. It was a crazy dream and you were my friends. It was fun! :)

    <3 Ronise · Sep 23, 06:35 AM · #

  15. I’ve been a Graphic Designer for several years now and here’s my bit of advice, make sure you absolutely love it. If you geek out on Design magazines, lust over typefaces in your spare time, the first place you go is the design section at the book store, and you find any excuse to design anythings then go into it! I find its really easy to burn out in the design field, so make sure you love it before investing your time into it.

    Its definitely creative at times, but can be very boring at times too when you’re doing projects just to get paid.

    <3 Laurel · Sep 23, 06:59 AM · #

  16. Please, please, please can we have an article on being a writer Gala (you could interview yourself…??) I’m young and impressionable and struggling to see how I can make a career out of it at the moment, even though it’s my biggest passion.

    Loving the work as always ;)

    Adoration x

    <3 Voila Megan · Sep 23, 07:35 AM · #

  17. I just graduated with a diploma in Graphic & Advertising Design but am pursuing a degree in Fashion Design in ’09. I think design is very wide-scoped. Its really fun. Even interior designing as well, but I do not think I have so much learn them all in school.
    I love your friend Nubby’s work! Its visually inspiring. I came across this website recently – www.vectorscum.com – what do you guys think of the works?

    <3 Anna · Sep 23, 07:49 AM · #

  18. Yesss! The PERFECT “I want to be a…” for me! I’ve been in design for a couple of semesters, and was just accepted into a marketing fellowship, so now I get to take some upper-level business classes, to, you know…round myself out! I’m really loving the business side of it, and it’s great to see that it could all work out!

    Between yourself and all your amazing friends, there are some really awesome people in your life, Gala!

    <3 Alice · Sep 23, 08:05 AM · #

  19. Talented, hot and driven?! You’ve got quite the catch there, Gala! :)

    <3 sarah von · Sep 23, 08:27 AM · #

  20. I’m a freelance graphics designer too and it is interesting to see what another makes of this profession!

    One thing for sure though freelance has been a lot more work but a lot more rewarding for me presonally.

    Yaye for Graphics girlies!

    <3 emma gahan · Sep 23, 10:49 AM · #

  21. Becca: I too am a graphic designer (I mainly design and program websites, but also do some logo / layout / packaging work) and I’m not particularly good at drawing! When I did my degree we did study drawing, including life drawing so I did learn the basics there but never kept it up. So it’s not necessary but would definitely be helpful. Also, when I applied for my degree I had zero experience in graphic design as I hadn’t studied it in high school and was 23 when I started my degree anyway. Basically they were looking for people who had potential and were creative – my portfolio was entirely fashion design as that’s what I had been doing prior to starting my degree. This is in New Zealand, by the way.

    <3 Katiebot · Sep 23, 11:29 AM · #

  22. Nubby’s work is great, I love her collages :D!

    My sister and her husband are graphic designers, both very very VERY talented and awesome. They actually run a firm together (http://www.randg.cl) and are one of the top designers of my country. I thought about studying it while I was in high school, but I quickly found that I have no talent for it, I just like to draw xD. I still think is a great job, but it requires lots of hard work, time and talent! My sis and her hubby are big workaholics because they absolutely love what they do and are hardcore about it, which I think is incredible. yay!

    <3 fran · Sep 23, 11:51 AM · #

  23. Hoorays for Nubby!

    Her workplace really does seem like so much fun..

    <3 Annie Spandex · Sep 23, 11:55 AM · #

  24. love this. love Nubby! and love the links at the end.

    <3 lindsey clare · Sep 23, 02:41 PM · #

  25. she always has good advice and articles on her website.

    <3 [a} · Sep 23, 05:33 PM · #

  26. you two are the cutest and most talented couple ever. :D!

    <3 annaloren · Sep 23, 06:39 PM · #

  27. I’m making an attempt at my own blog (which I do about once every two weeks, haha) and I hope you know you helped inspire me! I talk about you in my first ever post on my kazillionth blog! ha :)

    http://iheartlistism.blogspot.com/

    <3 Meaghan · Sep 23, 07:37 PM · #

  28. Thanks for doing this! Most of the “I want to be” posts have been interesting but not up my alley, and now you’ve posted this! I’m currently in school for VisCom, in my fifth year of VisCom studies (I’m nineteen, high school, etc.), and am glad to know the future isn’t as bleak as it seems in this field. Cheers!

    <3 eli skipp · Sep 24, 02:55 AM · #

  29. Voila Megan: galadarling.com/article/how

    <3 mikolina · Sep 24, 03:53 AM · #

  30. I love this one… but please please please do one on photography! :)

    <3 Holly Anne · Sep 24, 04:45 AM · #

  31. I saw these and I thought of you!
    www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

    <3 Jen · Sep 24, 10:03 AM · #

  32. OMG Nubby lives in Portland? WOW I guess I should start reading her blog because I just moved to Portland (on a total whim) and would love to get the dish on the city!! Yippee best news I have had all day!!!

    <3 Tanya · Sep 24, 10:15 AM · #

  33. whats with all the spam comments?

    <3 Dallas · Sep 24, 03:56 PM · #

  34. gala when are you gonna bring back the weekly icing love email! i have been missing it.

    <3 kitten` · Sep 25, 12:09 AM · #

  35. Hi Gala,

    I love Nubby’s color-life scheme. I could never stick with it, but it looks gorgeous on her!

    I wrote a post on my blog about hot air balloons I thought you might find interesting considering your love of the slower side of air travel: fishnorfowl.net/?p=9

    Hope you’re having a gorgeous day!

    <3 Freya · Sep 25, 07:23 AM · #

  36. What spam comments?

    <3 emma gahan · Sep 25, 12:23 PM · #

  37. emma gahan — I deleted them :>

    <3 Gala · Sep 25, 12:26 PM · #

  38. This was so informative! Thank you! I have a question though, that I’ve wondered about for the longest time. What type of pieces should I have to make up a good portfolio?

    <3 Miss Mary · Sep 25, 12:35 PM · #

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