Written by: seanfermoyle
I’ve tried to keep politics out of my career (and off my website), but politics doesn’t stay where it’s told. Lately, with ICE, it feels impossible to ignore. What we’re seeing goes beyond policy—it’s a direct …
As an active member of the Chicago Graphic Design Club (CGDC), we are constantly pushing ourselves to dream up initiatives that spark curiosity, elevate overlooked talent, and build greater appreciation for the work happening in and …
It’s been just over a year since I joined the Chicago Graphic Design Club as a Board Member—an unexpected journey that began with a single poster submission and evolved into something far greater than I could …
After years of planning, revising, pacing, proofing, re-proofing, test printing (and test printing again… and again), I can finally say: I’m done. This book has been a true labor of love—sometimes painful, often humbling, but always …
I’ve known Melissa Banks for over two decades, and I’m fortunate to have not only witnessed her journey but also called her a friend along the way. Over nearly as long, I’ve had the pleasure of …
My typeface "Black Electrical" traces its origins back to 2004, when Chicago-based graphic designer Ray Noland and myself first collaborated. At the time, Ray was running an online publication called Blacklist Mag—a gritty and influential digital …
I'm thrilled to share that my self-initiated magazine project, “/v:” Issue 1, is now available for purchase via Blurb. This is the inaugural release in a five-part series that curates and celebrates nearly 30 years of …
I recently spoke at the Chicago Graphic Design Club’s “Cold Style” event alongside a few fellow type lovers. Honored? Absolutely. Nervous? More than I expected. I’ve spoken in front of groups before, but this one felt …
Wanna hear me ramble on about a few of the typefaces I have designed, and a recent publication project that I am excited to share? Then this is for you my friend. Cold Style, a casual …
As I celebrate another trip around the sun this weekend, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible opportunities and good fortune I’ve had in both life and career. I’m deeply humbled—and immensely grateful—for the people and experiences …
Over the holidays, a good friend gifted me Paula Scher: Works. I first heard Scher’s name in college, mostly in conversations tied to Pentagram (where she’s a partner). Over the years, I read more, admired more, …
Another post in my series: Albums That Inform Me Everyday (A/TIME). This installment features the album Cure for Sanity (also known by its full title The Pop Will Eat Itself Cure for Sanity) and is the …
As a parent of two young children, I have countless cherished moments, but one stands out: when my 4.5-year-old son showed an interest in creating his own alphabet—and turning it into a font. His excitement was …
Another post in my series: Albums That Inform Me Everyday (A/TIME). This installment features the album Storm The Studio by Meat Beat Manifesto. It is the debut album by English electronic music group Meat Beat Manifesto, …
Graphic designer Neville Brody is from England and not really a household name in the American cultural landscape (unless you are a designer as well). However, if you are a fan of print magazines you have …
Another post in my A/TIME (Albums That Inform Me Everyday) series features the group St. Etienne and their album "Foxbase Alpha". This album includes one of the group's best-known songs: a cover of Neil Young's "Only …
Starting a new post series called: Albums That Inform Me Everyday (A/TIME). The first entry is a little known gem of a band named "Ultramarine". Their album "Every Man and Women is a Star" is their …
I joined the Chicago Graphic Design Club in 2024 to give back to the graphic design community in Chicago (and at large). Having worked in the industry for nearly three decades with an emphasis on branding …
I (like most creatives) am inspired by many different disciplines, styles, and sometimes...yes, even trends. For as many years as I have been a graphic designer I have also; painted with acrylics, taken photographs, experimented with …
Since my college days during the 1990s I have known of (and been inspired by) Mr. Segura's work. First through his T-26 Digital Type Foundry, and then through his graphic design studio — Segura, Inc. It …
Jason Lee is generally known to the masses as that guy who played Earl in the tv show "My Name is Earl" from 2005-2009. However, he had a previous life as a professional skateboarder. He Continues …
Herb Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American trumpeter who led the band Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in the 1960s. During the same decade, he co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss. I was …
The Graphic Design Club of Chicago has a playlist on Mixcloud featuring curated mixtapes by Chicago based graphic designers called MU Radio. I contributed a set that was based on a bunch of older demo tracks …
As I get older, each year the New Year's resolution gets simpler and more clear. You'd think by this time in history, with all we have gone through, learned, and experienced; that we'd be closer to …
Recently I had the chance to sit down (virtually) with Christian Solorzano from the Chicago Graphic Design Club to be interviewed for their "Underscore" podcast. To say I was flattered would be an understatement. We chatted …
This beverage company out of California is on a mission — to reduce plastic waste in our world's land fills. They are also out to "murder your thirst". With a truly unique brand and marketing strategy, …
As a middle-age skateboarder, and a professional designer practicing in the area of branding, I always have an eye to industries that enter the skateboarding space. Especially major shoe/clothing companies. As a "purist", I fought (in …
Having a toddler, I am currently going through the animated movies phase of his interests. It's a nice mental journey back to my youth. We have watched all the classics and some newer ones. Movies like …
As a fan of architecture and interiors, over the years I have found my way to appreciate industrial and product design as it relates to furniture and other lifestyle items. One local Chicago studio of note …
With the fairly resent resurgence of "maximalism" and experimental digital typography in graphic design, I was reminded of one of my earliest influences — The Designer's Republic out of Sheffield, England. With their formative aesthetic from …
I am always on the prowl for design inspiration — especially new type foundries and faces. I recently ran across this foundry called "TypeMates" based out of Germany. Their font offerings are pretty diverse running between …
I like a wide variety of music and pride myself on having an eclectic taste. However, there are certain bands from certain eras that I must confess have had a profound impact on me. This is …
Growing up in the 1980s and liking art, I was easily influenced by pop art super heroes like Keith Haring. His super identifiable line art style and iconographic symbols makes his work unique and simple. However, …
If you live in the Chicagoland area and ever need a day trip idea to get out of the city and clear the mind and soul — I highly recommend the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, …
In a past life I wanted to be a dj. Growing up in and around Chicago, I would often find myself seeking out stores that sold (vinyl) records to play and mix. One of the best …
I have been a fan of (and inspired by) Jennifer Sterling's work for as long as I have known of her. I believe it was way back in the late 1990s (or possibly into the early …
To say Steve Jobs was a complicated man is an understatement. The world of course knows of his business acumen, marketing savvy, and technological innovations. We all also now know how difficult of a personality and …
I love beverages—especially sparkling water; and I am always looking for new brands and flavors to taste test. One such water brand I discovered a few years ago from New Zealand that caught my attention is …
I am always on the prowl for design inspiration — especially new type foundries and faces. I recently ran across this tiny little foundry called "Blaze Type" based out of France. Their font offerings are pretty …
If you know nothing about art, you still probably know of the name Andy Warhol. If you do like art, particularly pop art, then you know Andy Warhol is the best known and admired of this …
David Carson is a well know graphic designer and one of my earliest inspirations. He got his start art directing magazines such as Beach Culture, Transworld Skateboarding, Raygun, amongst others. He has also dabbled with designing …
Mark Gonzales (born June 1, 1968), also known as "Gonz" and "The Gonz", is an American professional skateboarder and artist. He is known as a pioneer of modern street skateboarding and was named the "Most Influential …
ICONS, published by TASCHEN, is a dynamic retrospective of the extensive collaborative project between NIKE, Inc. and Virgil Abloh. ICONS explores how the partnership works to unify all the intangible cultural threads connected to sneakers. The …
The "Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure" exhibit presented by the family of JMB opens April 9, 2022. The exhibition is located on the ground level of the Starrett-Lehigh Building. Entry is on 27th Street, near 11th Avenue …
A little collage series I made dedicated to China Machado. She was a Chinese-born American fashion model, editor, and television producer. She was the first model of color to appear in a major American fashion magazine, …
The Graphic Design Club of Chicago has an open call to designers. Their description goes like this: "We’re asking you to submit a poster using the official Chicago typeface, Big Shoulders, that communicates what Chicago means …
Plastikcomb is an art publication that breaks the mold of typical magazine formats with experimental editorial design, and features a diverse line-up of visual content makers. For issue no. 3 (Winter 21/22) they had a call …