What's Your Canvas?—Roxanne Bradley

Meet Roxanne Bradley, a talented designer and artist. Having worked with Roxanne, I really admired her incredible design sensitivity. Learn a little about Roxanne below, and check out her first blog interview on Fly.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Roxanne: I'm a pixel pusher by day...trying to be more hands on in my free time. I'm currently taking letterpress and collage courses in my spare time in an effort to unplug a little.

Treat: What inspired you to become a Designer, and how did that transpire?
Roxanne: I was in the 10th grade and when my teacher Mr. Hassig saw a poster that I'd illustrated for extra credit in his class he said, "You'd make an excellent graphic designer, I'm going to frame this." I didn't even know what that meant so I went right to the library and looked it up! The book I found fortunately had an interesting description of the scope of a designer's career. It just sounded like a great fit, I was hooked.

Treat: What type of things do you do to make sure that your creativity flourishes?
Roxanne: I just take the time to feed it. What goes in, is what comes out. I think it is even more critical to surround myself with talented people, creatives and non-creatives.

Treat: How would you describe your style, and what do you believe inspired it?
Roxanne: My basic style is a reflection of me; balanced, simple, clean...But being that I have to design for clients other than myself, I can also tap into different looks like actors go in and out of character. My focus is always connecting with my audience, not the trendy Photoshop filter of the month!

Treat: What are some skills that a successful designer should have?
Roxanne: There is an art to being a successful visual communicator. The artist in me says flexibility, patience, and an open mind with the creative process helps you arrive to the most appropriate solution. The other side of my brain says strong interpersonal and communication skills help you say what your client cannot. So take your time and listen between the lines where others don't go...that is what will set you apart from the crowd.

Treat: More and more schools are taking art education away. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Roxanne: Art and design are both equally empowering outlets for self expression and social change. Kids are so bombarded with information, they need to know they can be originators of content vs. passive spectators. Art and design opens your eyes to this fact.

Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Roxanne: From a very involved and passionate high school art teacher back in Kansas, to the solid design foundation I received as an undergrad at RISD, then to the conceptual refinement and technical exploration I accomplished at SCAD in graduate school...all those experiences brought me to this place, and I know they will continue to take me where I need to be.

Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Roxanne: Focus on the solution and communicate the essentials, nothing more. Sometimes limitation opens the door to innovation.

Treat: What advice do you have for youth interested in art or design, but are not getting that encouragement?
Roxanne: Find a mentor that has been where you want to go. School is going to only teach you so much.