We’re always excited to bring new people on board with our projects, and Lillian Taft is going to be starting in a new intern position with Typeset in 2014- We’d like to introduce you to her, and give you an idea of what she’ll be doing with Typeset in the coming year.
Where are you from, and how did you get interested in art, Lillian?
Lillian: I just moved to Seattle from Colorado, but I grew up in New Jersey, an hour from NYC. When I was little my mom would take my siblings and I to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for field trips and my brother and I would sit and draw the Greecian helmets, mummies, and suits of armour. We were encouraged to draw pictures of what we were learning in history, and to make handmade cards for our friends. We moved to Colorado when I was nine for my dad to follow his calling to be a fine artist, and since then I’ve spent a lot of time in his studio, watching him paint, learning how to critique his work, and creating my own drawings. He worked out of our garage until very recently, so it wasn’t uncommon to be doing homework or eating lunch and have him come from the studio and ask what we thought about his progress on a piece. I’ve been really blessed to have grown up in such a home, being surrounded by not only art, but purposeful art.
Who are some of the most influential artists in your life?
Lillian: For obvious reasons, my dad (John Taft) is one of the most influential artists in my life. From him I’ve been inspired to create for a purpose, use color and texture, and to critique my own work a lot. One of my writing teachers, Douglas Jones has been very influential, he taught me to focus on the character of a person when writing a story, and that length isn’t what’s important. When I first started to be interested in photography I read a lot of blogs, and the photographers I looked up to were (and still are) the Parsons, Kristen Morris, and Benj Haisch (to name a very few). I’m also very inspired by the movement and grace of dancers (I’ve danced my whole life). I’ve also been inspired by the artists behind Kinfolk and Wolftree magazine, authors like Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, L.M. Montgomery, and Nicole Krauss.
What drives you to create and what gets you excited about designing?
Lillian: I’m inspired by the little details of our everyday lives. There’s so much beauty all around us, and I like to focus on it. I first wanted to be a writer, then a fashion designer, then a photographer/graphic designer. Now I’m pursuing art at school, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. But the thing that hasn’t changed is that I love the details. Whatever creative pursuit I take up, the lessons I learn tend to carry over. I love the laughter of a family over the dinner table, the different way each person looks into the camera, the different feeling you can get from different designs, and the magic of a story from just words on a page. I like to notice things that are beautiful, and to show people the beauty around us. I am fascinated by texture, so a portrait shoot often starts with an interesting urban setting, or the dirt of a road. I like to surround myself with images and words that make me want to do more with my life. Design is a way to make something that represents a person or business or event, and try to show the world how cool it is. I want to create images, designs, and words that point to the beauty of life.
What are you doing now in school?
Lillian: I am studying Visual Communications and Creative Writing at Seattle Pacific University. I’ve only just begun, but I very much enjoy my classes so far, notably a terrific creative short fiction workshop class, and a color theory class. Next quarter I’m very excited for a bunch of new art classes (including printmaking). I love being an art major, and I love Seattle.
What are you looking forward to learning with Typeset Design?
Lillian: I’m so thankful that Eric and Hannah have decided to take me on, they have so many exciting ideas, and beautiful designs. I’m looking forward to seeing their design process, and learning how to create quality designs for a client. I’ve got ideas, but I can’t wait to learn how to hone what I have to create for other people. I’m already learning from them, and am very excited to see where this takes us.
Check out Lillian’s blog, and be sure to check back here for more posts and art from her!