DESIGNING INSPIRATION:
NICOLE LICHT

Need some motivation? You're in luck. WNW Member #7446 Nicole Licht designed five days of inspirational quotes by five different women for AIGA's Quoted Series, and the results will undoubtedly get you moving.

As the collection shows, Nicole visually honors both her own artistic voice as well as the voices of each of these women. Nicole spoke to Free Range to discuss her creative process for this project: "I aimed to make each a tribute, but as these women make amazing things themselves, I chose to interpret the spirit of the quote rather than referencing the quoted woman too directly."

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How did you get involved with the AIGA Quoted Series?

My former coworker and friend, Melissa Deckert (who is also a WNW member), created some truly beautiful designs for this series and then super kindly recommended me to the Eye on Design Blog editor.

Did you follow it before?

Yes, it is always fun to see more personal work and I love the site’s design (by WNW Member Leta Sobierajski.)

How did you select these women to honor? How did their words inspire you?

When selected to participate, you are actually offered quotes to choose from. While looking over the list provided, I realized that I was equally interested in honoring the people whose quote I’d be illustrating. I wanted these to be personal.

Kate Bingaman-Burt (WNW Member!) is a powerhouse and one of the most authentic and warm designer/illustrators that I’ve ever met.

Thank everything for Miranda July’s weirdness (also the crowdsourced art project Learning to Love You More is still one of my favorite things ever).

I attended a Debbie Millman talk in an intimate setting (maybe 20 people in the room). She talked about her beginnings, failures, and shared her personal work. She made me cry. I had to run to a bathroom stall as soon as it ended. It was embarrassing.

I chose Kim Gordon because Kim Gordon, and the quote I found seemed like the perfect mantra to quell my own freelance fears.

Iris Apfel gives women something to look forward to. Her quote is a tricky one. I felt like I was choosing a side (in design) with it but really, to be honest, I do tend to like a 'lil something extra.

How did you go about designing each of these quotes? Did you have your subject’s personality and style in mind?

I aimed to make each a tribute, but as these women make amazing things themselves, I chose to interpret the spirit of the quote rather than referencing the quoted woman too directly. Well, except for Iris Apfel’s. For hers, I knew that I wanted to make something necklace-like. After all was done and live, I happened upon an image of Iris super decked out in turquoise jewelry and was elated that there was a little lucky match there.

Of the quotes, which is your favorite and least favorite message?

My favorite quote is “Commit to the Crazy”. It speaks to my fine art background and to seeing an (any) idea through. My least favorite is “Avoid compulsively making things worse” because that shizz is hard.

What moment in your design career so far has made you proudest?

I worked at Etsy starting in 2010 and was a founding member of the in-house design studio in 2011, and worked on the brand design team until this past June. When Etsy won the National Design Award for Corporate & Institutional Achievement in 2014, it was amazing to share in the collective pride beaming from everyone there at the time. It was super crazy and humbling to see a video featuring my work play at the awards ceremony. Whoa.

What are you working on next?

I’m wrapping up a commissioned paper-crafted stop motion for a design and animation studio now, and I’m about to start on a dioramic illustration for an exciting new ladiez newsletter (I can’t name names just yet). I’m really happy working on new challenges through commissioned and project-based pieces (hashing out directions with clients and then pouring a whole lot of focused energy into the project) and would love to get more of this kind of work.

Besides Kate Bingaman-Burt, who are some other creative women on WNW whom you admire?

Keetra Dean Dixon:Her conceptual art and design work is stunning and inspiring.

Jing Wei: Another former coworker. Jing’s is an amazing mix of grace and extreme talent. She is as lovely as her work is.

Let’s just throw in one guy here, Branden Collins (The Young Never Sleep) – I love the vibrance, full costumes and set designs, the mix of art and design.

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MEET ETSY

Randy Hunt • Creative Director

Location: Brooklyn (HQ) • Hudson, NY • San Francisco • Dublin • Berlin
Employees: About 500

Etsy.com

1. Describe Etsy in 3 words.

Marketplace made together

2. What qualities are most important in a prospective freelancer?

Crisp, clear communication & ability to work with feedback.

3. Which social network do you prefer for stalking people, creative or otherwise?

Twitter. It's still the best.

4. What is one thing that creatives do on their portfolio sites that drives you crazy?

Side-to-side scrolling with little tiny hit areas on the interface.

5. What is your creative outlet?

Writing.

6. If you had to have a different job, in your current company, what would it be?

Cheerleader.

7. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?

The baby steps scene in "What About Bob".

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?

http://wikipedia.org (best chance of any info I'd need to know)
http://facebook.com (though I loathe it, best chance of communicating with people)
http://zenhabits.net (keep me sane)

9. Any tips or advice for freelancers?

Please be good at communication. Really, really good.

10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?

News that Delaware has introduced Benefit Corporation legislation.

Etsy Alums Celebrate Collaboration & Year-Round Summer Vibes

DESIGNING INSPIRATION: NICOLE LICHT

DESIGNING INSPIRATION:
NICOLE LICHT