Blog: Notice The Little Things

When I go on daily walks around my studio in Livingston, Montana, I try and notice something new and interesting each time in the surroundings. Even though I may have walked the street or alley hundreds of times, I always hope to find something different that catches my eye. It may be an old doorway or stamp in the concrete. Or it could even be simply the way a shadow is hitting a wall. I’m rarely disappointed which shows just how much we can overlook.

I try and use this same technique in my graphic design. I have several long time clients, and with that, there is always the danger of falling into a routine where the same thing is done over and over again. Not in a good way, like building a consistent brand, but in a way that becomes a bit dull. So I try and exhale, take a step back, and see what I may have not noticed before even in my own designs and try to improve upon them for the next design. Maybe that spacing could be a bit different to draw attention to the type and message. Or what if a burst of a complimentary color replaced a more expected hue? Could the logo be moved to a slightly more strategic position?

In our busy world we are constantly missing interesting things. Many may not matter but every once in a while there is that gem that makes you take a second look, smile, and think. I believe that is what’s core to creating and being a good graphic designer. Create something solid, then push it ever so slightly into something just the right amount different.

— Hovie Hawk

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