Today’s designer interview is with Von Glitschka,
Von is principal of Glitschka Studios a small boutique design firm located in the Pacific Northwest. His diverse range of illustrative design has been used by some of the most respected brands in the world. He creatively collaborates with ad agencies, design firms, in-house corporate art departments, and small businesses to produce compelling visual narratives. He is also the author of the book Vector Basic Training (Second Edition) which is a very good book i recommend owning.
Designer Interview With Von Glitschka @Vonster #designerinterview #LogoDesign #Branding #Designthinkinghttps://t.co/oWB7eHJasu pic.twitter.com/J38wbVJ3WT
— The Logo Creative™ ✏ (@thelogocreative) December 27, 2017
Von also partakes in speaking engagements and workshops Von’s talks are practical and humorous narratives, laced with relevant information, creative insights, and inspiring conclusions. He’s spoken at SXSW, AIGA, AAF, HOW Design Live, Adobe MAX, TEDx, High 5, Creative South, Creative Works, Creative Pro and ICON The Illustration Conference.
Von Glitschka is one of the world’s leading Adobe Illustrator artists. Now you can get his entire toolbox of brushes and textures for a great price.
The Logo Creative – Hi Von thanks for been part of The Logo Creative Designer Interview Series its great to have you inboard.
Von Glitschka – Sure happy to take part and provide you with the information and images you need.
The Logo Creative – What was the turning point in your life when you decided to become a designer and how did you proceed?
Von Glitschka – I decided to go to art school when I was a senior in high school. I initially looked into film school but couldn’t find anything about that. (Before internet) I went to Burnley School of Art which transitioned to Seattle Art Institute.
The Logo Creative – What does your day consist of?
Von Glitschka – Strategizing, planning, ideation and creation on a diverse range of projects. Most are brand centric.
The Logo Creative – What was the first logo you ever designed?
Von Glitschka – First brand work was for my sisters boyfriend who was running for city council back in like 1985. He lost so I guess it wasn’t that good? One of the first big brand logos I worked on with an agency back in like 2004 was for a digital pen for kids called FLY. I still really like this logo.
The Logo Creative – What is your favourite Logo you have designed?
Von Glitschka – Usually it’s a more recent one. A new breed of client has been cannabis based businesses the past few years so the latest was a fun one to work on mainly because the name drove the concept in a very intriguing way being that it’s Hells Canyon Cannabis.
The Logo Creative – What is your favourite Logo of all time?
Von Glitschka – Milwaukee Brewers Classic glove and ball logo. Even as a kid I thought it was brilliant.
The Logo Creative – Can you describe or give us an overview of your logo design process?
Von Glitschka – Info gathering & Research, Slow Boiling, Sketching & Ideation, Building Comps, Pitch, Refinement, Final Delivery. This is thoroughly documented in my two courses titled “Learning Logo Design” and “Logo Design: Illustrating Logo Marks”. All can be found via DrawingVectorGraphics.com
Examples of concept sketches to final logo design can be found at this article I contributed to by The Logo Creative.
Logo Design Sketchbook, Documenting The Process
The Logo Creative – In your opinion regarding Logo Design pricing do you prefer working on a fixed rate or customer budget and can you explain why?
Von Glitschka – I always quote flat rate project fees. Hourly only coming into play if SOW changes and I’ll charge for my time for those areas.
The Logo Creative – How long does it take to complete the average logo design project from start to finish?
Von Glitschka – From the collection of information, I usually take about eight working days to see the presentation of design directions.
The Logo Creative – Are you a MAC or PC User and is there a reason for your choice?
Von Glitschka – I’ve been using an Apple in one shape or form since 1980. I learned how to program in basic so even though I learned traditionally in art school it was easy for me to adapt to a digital workshop and I’ve always been a diehard Mac fan. That said I don’t like how they have seemingly ignored the pro user base of late and think such products like iPad Pro is pro in name only since it cannot run pro level software etc.
The Logo Creative – Which software do you use frequently?
Von Glitschka – Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop are my two go-to software applications.
The Logo Creative – What is your favourite style of logo design? And why?
Von Glitschka – The one appropriate for the given client. Design is style driven so I adapt to the need of each client and pick an appropriate style.
The Logo Creative –What is your daily inspiration when you design?
Von Glitschka – Curiosity drives and sustains my inspiration and that can be simple life interactions like things I see or read etc. To help keep my sanity and entertain myself I had a sarcastic branding service I called www.5MinuteLogo.com it’s geared for the cheap-ass market and funds my coffee habit at the same time.
The Logo Creative – In your opinion what’s the best and worst part of your job being a designer?
Von Glitschka – The business side of running my own business takes away from the creative side at times. Marketing directors who love to play art director and think they know what will work best visually are highly annoying and tend to become serial design killers in the process if not addressed early on I’ve found.
The Logo Creative – Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
Von Glitschka – Historically I’d say Jim Flora an art director for RCA records. He was just so ahead of his time.
The Logo Creative – Who is your favourite Graphic Designer and why?
Von Glitschka – The folks at Gardner Design in Witchita, Kansas, and owners of LogoLounge.com They are nothing short of incredible.
The Logo Creative – What’s your favourite design quote?
Von Glitschka – “Marketing without design is lifeless, and design without marketing is mute.” – Von Glitschka
The Logo Creative – In less than 10 words what is graphic design?
Von Glitschka – “Thinking made visual.” – Saul Bass | “Process makes perfect.” – Von Glitschka | “Famous designers are like famous plumbers.” – Unknown
The Logo Creative – What steps did you take to start your graphic design business? Did you have to make any sacrifices on your journey?
Von Glitschka – I took any work that came my way. As I grew I dropped my grinder clients (low paying high expectations) and replaced them with better ones.
The Logo Creative – Do you have any regrets? Is there anything you would have changed early on in your career?
Von Glitschka – Taken more risks, moved to larger media markets. But a career is a path adventure so if I would have I won’t necessarily be doing what I am now so I wouldn’t change anything. Don’t be afraid to try something your not sure you can do. Unknowable happenstance is a key ingredient to growing creatively and opens up new opportunity that will guide you and allow you to flourish creatively.
The Logo Creative – If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
Von Glitschka – Invest in Apple stock. OH, you mean design related. I’d copyright and trademark a design I did in the late 1980’s I titled “NO FEAR!” Seeing someone make 40 million dollars with an idea I had came up with two years prior to that made me think a lot.
The Logo Creative – What’s the most important piece of advice you have received as a designer that’s helped you?
Von Glitschka – You get the work you show.
The Logo Creative – What would be your advice for new Logo and Graphic Designers?
Von Glitschka – The single more important skill to have as a designer is drawing. It’ll be something you can leverage for a lifetime and you’ll only get better with time.
learn more about Von Glitschka | Glitschka Studios
Check out designers interview discussion on Linkedin
Join The Logo Creative LinkedIn Group
Also published on Medium.
