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Interview with Ashleigh Michelle Fox |
Home > Designer Interviews > Ashleigh Michelle Fox |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Ashleigh Michelle Fox (AMF) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Ashleigh Michelle Fox by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
AMF: Born and raised in Texas I have been creating art my entire life. I grew up in small towns around Texas and in 2009 I graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and highest honors. I work in mixed media as a means of exploring the way line and color convey an emotive story. I have been fascinated with storytelling, history and mythology and these interests have always influenced my work.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AMF: My company is a design and fine art entity that encompasses art and design commissions freelance and contract.
FS: What is "design" for you?
AMF: Design for me is a way of conveying an engaging story or narrative to the client.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AMF: I enjoy designing art for use in personal homes and office.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AMF: A reproducible work of acrylic on canvas for marketing and instruction.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AMF: Paint, both analog and digital.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
AMF: After the sun is down.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AMF: Clear message and elegance of design.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AMF: It depends on the design, some work channels emotions and I find myself using that in the work.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AMF: Joy and a sense of pride, though I struggle with insecurity at times as well.
FS: What makes a design successful?
AMF: A design is successful when it elicits emotional response from the audience or client.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AMF: Engagement, symmetry, and clear point of view.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AMF: To engage the social contract and create ongoing dialog between varying aspects of civilization and society.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AMF: The future is in emerging technology and the combination of the old school and new innovations.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AMF: My last exhibition was a juried contest put on by Rockefeller Center and the UN climate project for a public art program. It was located in New York and my art was selected to be printed and displayed with other winners as part of “The Flag Project” 2022 . I’d love to hold my next exhibition in Texas, as a featured or solo show.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AMF: My inspiration comes from my faith and observations. Studying the human condition and personal life observation serves as a major source of my inspiration.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
AMF: Expressionist modern is how I would describe my style, I have been in the process of exploring themes of ancient art and the blend of contemporary ideas to create a style evocative of history and contemporary culture.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
AMF: I live in a small town, in a rural community in Texas. I have a rich cultural heritage from my Mexican roots as well as my ancestors that immigrated to the region. Being of mixed race it is important to my work to have this rich network and cultures to draw on. The downside is the lack of design opportunities and cultural opportunities that are often unavailable unless you are able to travel 1-7 hours across the State to major cities.
FS: How do you work with companies?
AMF: I work freelance and by contract.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AMF: My work chair, yoga mat, and three easels; French plein air, travel, and wooden box.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
AMF: I wake up in the AM to care for my son and pets then spend time drinking coffee and working on any tasks I have for the day. I spend the afternoon working of creative projects and homeschooling. Late afternoon we try to get outside for hikes, or time on the lake and wind down in the evening. After I get the kid to bed I spend a he rest of ky evenings working on my art or enjoying my hobbies.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AMF: Make art. Make it good, make it if it’s bad, just create something. As long as you keep striving toward improving your taste and voice I guarantee you will eventually improve.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AMF: The positive is definitely getting to do work that is meaningful to me, but the inherent danger in an unstable income as a contract and freelance artist is a hard truth.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AMF: When in doubt use the golden ratio to adjust your design.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
AMF: Creativity, and perseverance.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AMF: Procreate is my favorite sketching tool, but sometimes a pencil and paper is just as good for rough ideas. Books; Gods of Sun and Sacrifice, Advice from my 70-year old self, The Secret Life of Color, and anything Terry Prachett.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AMF: Poorly
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AMF: Any where from a few months to a few years depending on the scale and whether it is a personal work or commission.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AMF: Where do you come up with the ideas for your work?
FS: Who are some of your clients?
AMF: Individual art lovers, businesses, and art collectors.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AMF: Make more art, as far as what is next I don’t know but I’m excited to find out.
FS: How can people contact you?
AMF: Via email at foxtasticdesign@gmail.com
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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