meet joan olkowski: creating a balance between typography, copy and visual oxygen.
What do you do at GDS?
I work on developing and maintaining your brand with the entire creative team. You may catch me working on anything from a stationery sets and brochures, to website development and planning.
What's your background? How did you get into this racket?
After years of illustrating wildlife in watercolor and pen & ink, I became interested in sequential art during high school. This interest grew into a love of digital illustration through Photoshop and then to higher pursuits in graphic design. I graduated from BFA in Graphic Design from Wayne State University in 2005 and and a MA in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2010. For the last several years, I have been managing print, web, product, and brand identities as an independent agent for a wide variety of local businesses and nonprofits. I look forward to continue realizing exceptional concepts with Graphic D-Signs.
What types of projects are your favorite?
I enjoy a little of everything, but really enjoy managing a project from beginning to end.
What do you do when you're not at work?
If I am not at the keyboard, I may be found in any odd number of particulars: sketching in pen and paint in watercolor, hiking or hitting the gym, cycling (if I can figure out where to ride in NJ), reading and weaving a nonsense of words, play the violin and flute and could likely survive on listening to podcasts (NPR, HowStuffWorks, TypeRadio, the MacCast, MacBreak Weekly, MacGroup, PhotoshopUserTV, and many more).
Quick Stats
Key Accomplishments and Qualifications:
- MA in Graphic Design: Savannah College of Art and Design
- BFA in Arts,: Graphic Design: Wayne State University
- 2010 Interactive Gold: Louisville Graphic Design Association
- Independently maintained a Graphic Design Studio for over four years
Can Often Be Heard Saying:
- Establish a Hierarchy.
- This will be brilliant.
- Pen tool rules.
My Favorite Things:
- Golden Spiral & Pi
- Typography
- Black and White Photography
- Tea and Salted Caramel Chocolate
- Art Museums when it Rains
- Cycling on Hines Drive
- PMS color books
- Product Design
- Apple Products
