interview with graphic designer DJ Sherman

flor barajas: Tell us about your path to becoming a graphic designer.

FB: How would you describe your approach to design?

DJ: Typically my approach starts with research. Every job requires a different approach to some degree depending on the client needs. At a base level, I approach design as an opportunity to learn every time.

FB: Describe your creative process.

DJ: I always start with gathering inspiration and quickly sketching down ideas. I sketch on paper or do quick and dirty digital comps, depending on what helps me work. Then I believe in a lot of adjusting and fiddling punctuated small breaks or transitioning to other jobs and coming back to doodle later. Taking short breaks between stints of staring a project hand helps you see flaws. I ask for feedback from peers. Some are not designers because the majority of people seeing my work do not have a background in visual communications, and sometimes designers walk into a critique with preconceptions whereas those who don’t are usually more honest and go with their gut, which is very important.

FB: What has been your best project and why?

DJ: Redesigning the identity and packaging for Shiner Brewer’s Pride. It was a very long project that paid off in the long run. It was very stressful but paying attention to the details and working closely with my team helped us create something unique.

FB: What do you like about living in Austin?

DJ: It’s small-town feel. Love taking dips in the various swimming holes and eating at small food trucks. Walking barefoot in Zilker.

FB: When did you start to use social media?

DJ: 2006 when I got my EDU email address from KSU. Twitter in 2009.

FB: Which social media platform you use the most, and why?

DJ: Instagram. I’m a visual person. I’m also a hobbyist photographer, so it’s a fun way to share my photography and maybe get feedback.

FB: What type of content do you share?

DJ: Pictures of my dog, some of my work. My travels. Random things that I find inspiring, art related or no.

FB: Do you use a social media platform to showcase your designer work?

DJ: I post things I’m proud of, but I wouldn’t say that makes up much of my Instagram feed. When I leave the office, I’m not a designer. I’m DJ. I don’t design outside the office anymore. I give my 9–5 110%, and then outside of the office, I give my personal life 200%. Social media is mostly just me being weird.

FB: How often do you post? Do you have a specific time during the day?

DJ: I post very randomly but on average, maybe 1–2 times a week if that. Usually around lunchtime or late at night on the weekdays and anytime on the weekends.

FB: Do you use any hashtags, and are they consistent?

DJ: I used to, but it’s just too much work. I’ll use one if it is appropriate or I want to share with a specific community.

FB: What’s the best piece of advice you have for designers that want to start their own social media brand?

DJ: Be yourself. You are your brand. Don’t base your brand on what everyone else does on Instagram. Just be genuine. Engage with your followers, only share things that benefit the people who follow you. The reason many people follow a “brand” is that they feel a connection with its values. Social media tends to be very aspirational though. It’s a weird space that I think we will learn a lot from soon on how it is impacting us psychologically.

FB: Do you have a personal motto?

DJ: “Why not?”

FB: Since we are in Austin, Texas. What is your favorite fusion cuisine?

DJ: It’s very funny you ask that because I’m not one for fusion cuisine. I appreciate traditional cuisines, but If I had to give an example of fusion cuisine, I like the Korean-TexMex movement that is happening in Austin with places like East Side King and Chi’Lantro.

Gracias, DJ.

flor barajas|mobile and social media|mfa communication design

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