Elise Santangelo — DesignStudio
Elise is an Australian/American designer based in London, working as a Design Director at DesignStudio. She spends most …
It all started with skateboarding and music.
Growing up in the 90's, I had notebooks filled with various band logos, skateboarding graphics and letters that I thought were interesting. I always took it as just being "art" or "illustration" and I didn't realize until my first year in college that it was actually through something called "graphic design" and that you can actually make money doing it.
An early professor of mine, Jan Conradi, had a close relationship with the Vignelli's and wrote an important publication on the seminal design studio, Unimark International. She made me realize the potential of graphic design as a holistic practice through writing, reading, teaching, and making. I greatly appreciate the short time we spend together before I departed to study at The School of Visual Arts in New York City,
A strict routine is incredibly important for me and my well being.
I wake up early and jump right into fitness whether it's weight training or cycling. Post workout, I generally have coffee and sit down to read (I try not to look at my phone until work starts). This is the most important part of my day as it gradually eases me into the studio. I'm a morning person so I tend to be the most productive between signing on and the early afternoon.
Being an Associate Design Director at Instrument my time is normally spent jumping between meetings and finding time to open Figma to get work done. Throughout the day, I'm collaborating with writers, strategists, and designers across various projects.
I sign off and try not to engage with any type of technology for the rest of the evening.
My workspace needs to feel simple and considered. I also need to be surrounded by books, lots of books.
There really isn't one specific place, the overall lived experience is a primary source of inspiration for me along with looking at everything other then design. Your being as a designer comes from everything you've ever experienced, reviewed, read, and engaged with in your life.
For me, it gets interesting when these lived experiences start to merge and clash with each other. It's very much in the juxtaposition of history, psychology, art, culture, writing, letters, fashion, politics, etc.
This isn't a recent piece but it's something I consistently go back to for reference. In my opinion, a space and/or environment is a product and my choice would be the Judd Library in Marfa, Texas. From the way the library is organized and categorized to the floor plan to the custom furniture and the space itself. It's the embodiment of a holistic practice in a single space, it's perfect in so many ways.
I've been an adjunct professor, guest lecturer and visiting critic for the past 8 years across various design institutions and I can easily say teaching it's the most fulfilling body of work compared to anything else within my design practice.
I don't like the word "challenges" I tend to think of these moments as "opportunities". For me, it's less of "Design" and more about "Growth" as a designer.
As someone who is gradually stepping into leadership, I'm learning to become comfortable with the uncomfortable of not being in the work as much as I would like to be. Through your journey as a designer making is your purpose and sense of self, now with that, how do you learn to design in a different way through planting seeds, giving feedback, and fostering designers to make compelling work.
It's an interesting opportunity, I thought being an educator would have me prepared for something like this, however, it's easier said then done when budget, clients, and projects expectations are on the line.
While studying at the School of Visual Arts, a professor once told me;
"The goal is to experience the positivity of good design. To experiment with modes of thought, develop our ability to express those thoughts through design, embrace change, and to constantly do so with joy and excitement. If we aren’t enjoying what we’re doing, what’s the point?"
These words stick with me every day, they are a great reminder into why we do the work we do.
A collective art zine by Sophie Butcher called Hold on Whale. I was fortunate enough to contributed a piece for their latest issue on my brother and his beekeeping practice.