ELYSE TERRY

My design is created through much exploration. I enjoy manipulating the space on a piece paper, employing various usage of interesting typography and bold colors. I prefer functional designs that pop in everyday life. Illustrative elements keep my work fresh and different, and typography pushes it further. I enjoy experimenting with the letters on a page while making sure any words are still legible. Once I develop a hierarchy with all my information, I work on creating a style to suit it. Finding space for both type and images together can be tremendously tedious. I wrestle with the information until it starts to make sense to me on a page. There is so much thought that goes into creating something that quickly makes sense to the viewer. While some people may not enjoy work that tends to be walked past, for me it is a comfort to know that I created something people understand instantaneously. You will see this in my wedding invitation suite and my Cultivate logo. 

I use different methods to create my work, ranging from hand lettering to screen printing to using the risograph. Creating custom typography is a joy of mine, and I particularly enjoy designing stationery, including cards, stickers, and prints. I have always been a huge advocate for snail mail, and I want to fill a space in the market for current and relevant stationery. Because I am inspired by the world around me, I tend to include organic elements like flowers and plants into my work. This interest in the world around me also leads to some of my work leaning towards human rights and the current political climate, as you’ll see in my piece “Rodney Reed.” I always carry a sketchbook so that I can keep track of inspiration as it comes to me. I am constantly doodling, and sometimes these doodles lead to my best pieces. My work undergoes rigorous rounds of revision before it is complete.