Frank Chimero. Illustration. Graphic Design. Process. Perception. Concept. Creativity. Levity. Wit. Form. Pencil. Desk. Coffee. Go!

Q: What made you want to teach design? Was there a particular experience during school that influenced you to become a design educator?

A: I think the whole experience of school contributed to me wanting to teach. I loved school. I loved learning. I still do. I think all of my instructors had a lasting impact on me and helped to instill a curiosity. They helped change how I looked at the world. Everything is magic now, and even things that aren’t special now have the potential to become so. They helped to teach me a way of looking at things that leaves room for unlimited potential. That seems special, some how, and if I can maybe help to have that happen for someone else, I should try.

What kind of qualities make for a good design teacher?

First, they still need to be working. If you’re not still making things, your students should stage a small coup d’état and overthrow the class. If a teacher isn’t working, they lose the most basic thing they can have in common with their students: they both make things. They both go through the same struggles to get work done. The teacher flows through the same creative process. They both know what it’s like to work hard and to struggle to get the result that they want on the page. I think a good design teacher needs to be willing to talk about their own fights with the creative process. They need to be willing to talk about their failures. And to be open minded to new ways of working. (Inspiration flows from student to teacher as well.)

Most students see teachers as shells because that’s how the teachers present themselves. That’s why it’s weird when students see instructors at the grocery store. “Whoah. They exist outside of the classroom?” If you’re asking for your students’ all, you need to show up with all of yourself as well. Your whole self: your problems, your opinions, your successes and your point of view. You need to be a whole person to them, so they can trust you.

What materials do you use for your work? How does the balance of pencil and mouse work for you? Do you think it’s beneficial to not be bound to the computer and experiment with more fine art materials in design work?

I don’t use fancy materials. I use copier paper and a sharpie. I use a wooden pencil with the eraser rubbed down to the metal that holds it in place. I use scissors. I try to use my brain. I use the same software as everyone else. I think my work is less about the aesthetics of the final result and more about the spirit of the idea behind it. (Although, it still matters to me how it looks on the page.)

I don’t care what materials people use. Use what presents you with the least amount of friction. Tools should disappear. They should be seamless and you should have complete control over them. I know that most people get better results from using materials that are more native to them. That’s why I typically have students start projects with pencil and paper, and move on to other tools later. What is more natural than a pencil/pen and paper? If you’re doodling with a pencil, chances are you aren’t thinking very much about what sort of pencil it is and the hardness of the lead. (Although some people care about those things. I don’t fault them. Pencils can be magical things.)

My general philosophy towards tools is: make them nice, good, honest tools. Then, they need to get out of my way, so I can make what I want to make.

What’s it like being a designer in the midwest, and not one from L.A. or New York?

It’s quieter here. Things aren’t slick and sexy here. There are cows and cheese and plains and open spaces. Those aren’t particularly sexy, but I think there’s less hype. It keeps me honest and focused. It keeps me tuned in to what I believe is important. It’s easy to find solitude, so you can get your work done.

On the other hand, there’s less community here. And community is an important thing. People have less of an understanding of what I do for a living, so I have to explain that frequently.

There are benefits to both. At the end of the day, living here means that there are fewer superfluous things fluttering around my work, but I typically have to make that work alone.

What designers/illustrators influence you today?

There are many. I’m fortunate enough to be friends with most of them. I’m hard-pressed to name an amazing designer or illustrator that isn’t also an amazing person. Here’s a roll call of a few of my favorites: Kate Bingaman-Burt, Jennifer Daniel, Jessica Hische, Meg Hunt, Amy Ruppel, Olimpia Zagnoli, Ben Barry, BBDK, Jez Burrows, Invisible Creature, My Associate Cornelius, Tad Carpenter, Ward Jenkins, Aaron Draplin, Lab Partners, Always with Honor, Script & Seal, and a lot of other fine folks.

What is your driving force, what is it you want to say with the work you are putting into the world?

I feel there are lots of things out there that are fun, but don’t provide any substance. And people consume it, expecting to get filled up. It’s like eating as much cotton candy as possible and expecting to get full. I’d like to avoid that, if I could. I want all the benefits of making light-hearted work, but I want to offer something of value. I want substance.

I want to make work that is fun and nourishing. I want to remove any hint of cynicism. I’m tired of that. I want the work to age well. More than anything, I want what I put into the world to have value. I want to be better for that work existing, and I want the world to be better as well.

Does your design style reflect your personal interests or lifestyle? Can you show us any examples?

I think my design style is a better reflection of my values and what I think is important. Sure, those things trickle down to what I’m interested in and what lifestyle I choose, but I think the core of it is about what I believe.

I believe in emphasizing what is important and de-emphasizing what isn’t. I think having fun and enjoying what you do is important. I think playing has a purpose. I think eating well and traveling often is a crucial part of my happiness. I hope these things are reflected in my work.

With all of the design blogs/websites out there, for us and students all over what would you like to see with FISK?

I’d like for you to talk about process. What are you working on? What are you making? What effected your decisions? What didn’t you chose to use? Why? What are you thinking about and what are you doing about it?

If you feel compelled to link and post about other people’s work, why not add a layer of insight into what you think about that work? No more shallow reflagging, please. Original content, please. More substance, please.

What advice do you have for design students that are just starting their design educations and ones that are about to graduate and go into the real world to start their design careers?

Make good, honest, lasting work. Work hard. Don’t wait for permission. Share. Fail. Skip shortcuts. Get better. Love what you do.

Dream client or job? Worst client experience?

In the past year, I’ve come to the realization that most of my dream jobs have come from folks I would have never considered dream clients. Now that I realize this, I’m keeping my options open. I’m looking for jobs where I can make something really interesting that has thick value. I’m looking to make a great idea that benefits everyone involved. Me, the client, and our intended audience. I’m tired of shouting for clients to their audience. Let’s be quiet for a while, and say something worth saying. I want a project with a nice budget and a reasonable deadline. I’m looking for clients whose input makes the work better. (They are out there. I’ve had them. I promise you they exist.) Let’s make something of substance. And let’s make things better.

Can you give a motivational quote or “ethos” for all of us hard-working, tired and starving design students?

You’ve got just this once. Give it your all, but take care of yourself. Go buy or make a good dinner tonight. And take a nap. Just this once, just to remind yourself why you do this. Take a day off, and see if you miss it: you’ll be better for it. And I think you will.

You push yourself so you can get better. We do this work to get happy and to get better. And I mean getting better both in terms of improving, but also in the context of healing. Fill yourself up.

Do you wear patterned/designed socks, plain socks or no socks?

The socks I’m wearing today are argyle. They’re gray and green. I’m shoeless. I wear size 10.5.

Thank you Frank for the interview!

Links: Frank Chimero