Last Updated on August 9, 2024
Working with fashion brands such as Converse, Nike, and even Chanel, Graphic Designer Roslyn Fok knows how to handle any design job that she takes on.
With a style that is undeniably cutting-edge, Fok’s designs have morphed throughout her career to meet any number of brands, products, and situations.
A great example of this is the work she’s done for Hommegirls, a fashion publication based out of New York City.
InspirationFeed was lucky enough to speak with Fok this past week. We asked her about what exactly inspires her work and which resources and activities she returns to when she’s getting ready to tackle a brand new project.
So whether you’re a graphic designer yourself and looking for a different perspective on your work or just a casual observer wondering how designers do what they do, we’re sure you’ll enjoy our interview with Fok.
InspirationFeed (IF): Thanks so much for joining us! We’d like to talk to you about inspiration and motivation. Would you say that you have one source of inspiration that’s bigger than all the rest?
Roslyn Fok (RF): I love printed material, and I often draw from fun packaging I’ve received or books that I’ve seen that are laid out in an interesting way, and even games since I love how interactive they are to the user in a really fun and bright way. But overall, the mediums I work with vary so much and eventually my inspirations change to adapt to the mediums I’m designing for.
IF: And how about motivation? Do you find it easy to stay motivated to work in graphic design?
RF: I would say that I’m generally pretty motivated as a person. I’m interested in a lot of different subjects and materials, and with graphic design, the mediums and needs vary with each project so I’m lucky in that sense, but I do get burnt out from time to time. I think what helps me to stay motivated is finding new and interesting ways to keep things fresh even when the project has gone on for a while.
IF: Have there been any projects, personal or professional, where you struggled to stay motivated?
RF: I think that it’s harder for me to stay motivated with my personal projects more so than with my professional projects. With professional projects, I have someone to bounce ideas off of or a starting point that informs the way I design. With my personal projects, there’s often less of a collaborative spirit and I find myself thriving the most when I have a sounding board and the opportunity to take others’ voices into consideration.
IF: How has your workflow developed over time? Has it changed a lot?
RF: Over time, my workflow has definitely gotten more organized. As I have gained more experience with the different mediums and different clients’ needs, I have a general understanding of how to organize my files and the work to make it so that I can communicate with the client more effectively.
IF: Do you enjoy seeing work from other contemporary graphic designers?
RF: I love seeing work from other contemporary graphic designers. I find it exciting to see various ways they execute similar kinds of projects that I’m working on and it really shows how graphic design can be a great tool for communication as unique voices can stand out through their work. I also think it can be helpful to see how they push the boundaries of certain mediums that I would have never thought about.
IF: Has the quarantine changed the way you work at all?
RF: With all this time spent at home, I’ve had more time to think about personal projects that I’d like to execute. It’s also allowed me to reflect upon the work I’ve done so far and how I can grow as a designer. I’ve really enjoyed working with my hands, which is something I haven’t done in a while.
IF: How often do you look for new sources of motivation and inspiration?
RF: I would say that every day I notice something or see something in the physical and digital world that inspires me. I think imagery has been so accessible with the internet, it kind of finds us nowadays and it’s great to see how diverse ranges of inspiration speak to a variety of people. I’m also very lucky to have people in my life that inspire and motivate me as well. I’m very grateful for that.
