An Interview with Niki Brown

The Crew is pleased to bring you an interview with Niki Brown, a designer and blogger over at Design O'Blog, who recently relocated to Boston from a small Midwestern city. Niki is a reader who responded to our call for creatives, and we couldn't be happier she did— her work is fun and fresh, and so are her ideas. Enjoy finding out more about Niki!

1. Who or what inspires you?
I just recently moved to Boston, so I've been inspired by how alive and diverse this city is. I'm constantly walking around, taking pictures and staring at strange things (and then getting lost!)

2. Do you have a favorite designer?
One of my favorite designers is an oldie but a goodie— (as in he's been dead for quite a while) El Lizzitsky - I've been obsessed with Russian Constructivism for quite a while. I can't seem to get enough of strong bold colors and dynamic diagonals.

3. One word to describe your design style:
Evolving.
4. What frustrates you most about design (or your biggest pet peeve)?
I get frustrated when the creativity just wont flow— this is when design gets really stressful for me. As i continue to mature as a designer I realize that sometimes you just need to walk away from a project for a bit and then come back to it with fresh eyes.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
I would go back to Switzerland. Land of organization and Helvetica!

6. What is your favorite website to visit daily? Why do you like it?
This is slightly boring, but gmail— they just released gmail themes! I also use igoogle as my homepage and have designed two themes (office mouse, space mouse)

7. If you could design or redesign anything, what would it be?
I would re-design the interface and organization of my banks online account section - it's horrible!

8. What’s the strangest request you’ve received from a client?
Not really strange, but I've been asked to flat out copy stuff or steal images— had to educate the client on why that was a HUGE no no!

9. Favorite font?
I'm diggin veer's candy script— I used it on the header of my website and business cards:

10. Where do you usually work on your projects?
I usually work on my projects at home at my desk:
My workspace is filled with things i love— from my rock paper scissors posters, to my lovely little banana painting (did i mention i love bananas?)

11. Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession?
I would tell newbies to read everything they can get their hands on. Blogs, books, videos— eat it up. Find tutorials, ask questions. Attend design lectures. Always be curious! These are the things that will keep your creativity fresh.

12. If you were to change professions, what would you choose to do?
I can't see myself doing something other than design. I've been doing it since I was a kid: making imaginary newspapers and then eventually learning how to make websites in highschool.

13. What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career?
I wish I would have been pushed to design faster. Design seems to happen at the speed of light once you get out in the real world.

14. Describe your favorite project and why.
My favorite print project so far has been the invites I made for a going away party. The theme of the party was Bring Your Own Meat. It was fun to make since I'm a vegetarian.
My favorite web project has been bananasandcoffee.com— another personal project to keep track of my potassium and caffeine consumption. I'm getting more and more obsessed with information design and this is my playground to experiment with it!15. Tell us three things about yourself that no one else knows.
1: I like to cook, but am horrible at it.
2: I love squirrels.
3: I hate papyrus with everything that is in me and want to scream at designers that use it.

To see more of Niki's work, please visit her website: nikibrown.com

[CrewDesign is always on the lookout for creative talent. If you, or someone you know, would like to be a featured artist please email us at thecrewdesign@gmail.com] ••••