Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator living in Minnesota with my Hubby and an adorable Vizsla. I split my time freelancing and working on my own designs.
A & Chris
Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your graphic design business?
The idea of choosing to do something you love and you will never have to work has always resonated with me ever since I was young. I was very fortunate to have a great art teacher in high school that introduced me to the world of design. Ever since then I knew I wanted to create designs for people to enjoy. But a lot of the credit would have to go to my hubby, Chris. He is my driving force and is always looking out for my happiness. I am very appreciative of that.
Where do you get your inspiration from when you design?
My inspirations are often from the everyday things, nature, animals, movies, and my dog. I am really into mid-century modern designs, architecture, furniture, and things that are adorable. I am always on the look out for awesome designs wherever I go. I especially love seeing things transform into patterns and spotting new fonts.
Dash
What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Tiny. Friendly. Creative. Funny. Adventurous.
Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
Out of college, my first job was working as an Environmental Graphic Designer at an Architectural Signage Company. It was a very stressful work environment and as luck would have it I got connected with a past co-worker that offered me a gig working from home. Now I’m starting to shift my focus to illustration design and creating a line of screen-printed products.
Describe a typical day in your studio space?
My typical day consists of checking emails, getting in touch with clients, working out my design ideas, and creating my products. I’m very lucky to be able to work from home, so my morning commute is relatively easy. The best part is that I get to spend my whole day with my dog Pixel.
Pixel
As a Graphic Designer, what is your biggest frustration?
Not having the time to learn new things.
Tell us about how you prioritise your work.
The deadline is always the most important factor that I take into consideration. Everything else gets fitted into place.
How do you connect with other designers & artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?
Often when I can, I take design classes, attend events, read blogs, and go to art fairs.
Feed Me
What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
Always strive to learn new things and trust your instincts. You can never go wrong doing the things that you love.
What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
I would love for my work to be flexible enough for me to split my time between living in the States and Thailand.
What is your proudest moment so far?
I would say having the courage to go out on my own. Not a lot of people have the opportunity to venture out on their own and I’m very proud of it.
Fox
Who do you most want to meet and why?
It is rather difficult to choose, but I think Lena Corwin would be at the top of my list. I love her illustrative style and she seems like a sweet person to get to know. Other great notable designers that I’d love to have met would be: Mies van der Rohe, George Nelson, and Alexander Girard.
What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?
Don’t ever give up on yourself.
What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
For casual reading, I just finished the Hunger Games series, but I’m torn between Harry Potter and Princess Bride as my all time favorite book(s). I love reading stories about adventure, humor, love, and a bit of danger all rolled into one.
Racoon
Where do we find you and your service/products?
My current portfolio is at www.aplatt.com, but I hope to be launching littlemomodesign.com in the near future. I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr.
Bear
Are you inspired?
Would you like to share your creative journey with ArtSHINE community?
Would you like to be interview by ArtSHINE?
Send us and email about your creativity and we will get in touch with you shortly.
vinh@artshine.com.au
