Kristle Marshall

Kristle Marshall is a designer and artist who focuses on lettering, illustration and animation. She currently works full-time at design studio Hom Sweet Hom and has worked with a variety of clients including Bloomscape, Coach, Upwork and more. Kristle earned her BFA in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design and when she isn’t drawing you can find her practicing bass guitar, watching anime and documentaries, or spending time outdoors.

Hi Kristle! Tell us about yourself, how did you get to where you are today? When did you first become interested in art and design?

Well, I’m a metro-Detroit lady who loves to draw and I get to do it for a living! My earliest career goal that I can remember is wanting to illustrate children’s books as a first-grade student. I was always drawing but didn’t take my first art class until high school; I also took a couple of photography classes then. My friend’s dad took us to a portfolio day (my first and only) at College of Creative Studies as high school juniors and the professors there seemed to be more interested in my photos than my drawings. I got it in my head that this meant that drawing was less viable than photography; so I ended up studying it for my BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. The plan was to maybe do some set photography or assist on fashion shoots but going to a big market felt cost prohibitive for me. I came back to Detroit after college, and after working as a graphic designer for a bit, came back around to my first love. It was quite a winding road but I’ve learned a lot along the way.

Designer and Illustrator Kristle Marshall

How would you describe your aesthetic and how has it changed over time? Are there particular themes you like to explore through your work?

Early on, I thought that good work was precise and technical and I pursued that. I don’t think I ever achieved those things; but now my aesthetic and interests lean more into an overall humanness. I’m embracing my personal touch and trying to celebrate that more. I like mashing up my skills and interests. For instance, I used to keep lettering and illustration separate; now most of my work brings them together. As far as themes go, I’ve always been a huge fan of everyday magic and I hope that my work causes an appreciation for the not-so-grand aspects of being alive and sharing our lifetimes with others. Uplifting the mundane is a kind of practice in gratitude because of the societal obsession with the extraordinary and exceptional. I love collecting quiet moments and making home videos with my camera and drawing on that later.

What drew you to lettering and when did you start working with animation? What are your favorite types of design projects?

Some people may have had a similar experience of realizing that the extra time you took on the letters on your poster boards in middle school and high school was an actual art form. I didn’t know that until after college, trying to learn as much as I could about design and discovering people doing hand lettering at a high level on Instagram. It was really inspiring and became something I enjoyed practicing.

I’ve been flirting with animation for a very long time! I started dabbling in some motion graphics something like 9 years ago, but it hasn’t been a key part of my work; it hasn’t made sense yet. Most of the animations I do have been self-initiated projects that allow me to tinker and fail. I’ve always been a big fan of anime, cartoons, and motion graphics and the range of expression that exists in these practices. I’m hoping I can find my voice with it.

My favorite projects are the ones that will have longevity, something that will be useful for a while. I don’t design logos often, but I created a logo for a friend’s YouTube channel and animated it; it’s so great to see it in use. I can’t get enough of making things that I can hold too! I’ve worked on a number of books and it’s always a really satisfying experience to see the physical copy.

You’re currently a full-time designer at Hom Sweet Hom and have worked with a range of clients including Bloomscape, Upwork, and Coach. How do you approach creative collaboration with your teammates and clients?

Listening is so important. Whether it’s work for the studio, or a freelance project, I am there to be of service and need to understand the needs of the client and team. Then, I can think creatively with those needs in mind. Flexibility and trust are also really important because these things allow for us to achieve the overarching goals of a project with relative ease. There are times when you have space to really push for your creative ideals and times to get out of the way in service of the ultimate purpose of what’s being made. Learning when to do each takes time.

What does a day on the job look like for you and what is your creative process like?

No matter what, I have to have hot breakfast and coffee; after that I try to fit in some sketches or bass practice before work. My tasks change from day-to-day but the general approach is to get a clear grasp of the brief, take note of deadlines, and then craft an approach based on that. I try to spend time researching, brainstorming (writing), and sketching out thumbnails for each project—for me this is the best case. I always save the most playful parts of the project for last; color is one that I can fuss over forever.

Do you have any favorite design tools and resources?

Paper and pencil are easily my favorite design tools because sketching brings about a level of engagement and intention to my process that I don’t get when I can disappear my lines on command digitally.

Two of my favorite design books right now are Ken Barber’s Lettering Manual, and The Look of the Book by Peter Mendelsund and David J. Alworth. Both books are so informative and well designed–they are such a treat to look at and study from when I have free time.

Where do you find inspiration?

Oh, inspiration is everywhere for me. The best thing I can do to be inspired is to be present–when I’m present I notice so much. Sometimes, I’m out and I see people that I want to draw or palettes that I want to use or lighting that I want to try. Art and design seasons our surroundings; with awareness it’s pretty easy to get a creative boost.

More specifically, music is a big fascination for me. I love that vinyl is back because I can walk into a record shop and see so many playful approaches to design. More recently, musicians have crafted these cohesive experiences that accompany their albums by developing a whole visual system around them, which often incorporates a breadth of creative practices.

I also enjoy going to bookstores and looking at all the jackets, reading manga, and going to concerts.

What advice would you give to new designers who are just starting out?

No matter what you do, maintain an openness and curiosity. Give yourself space to play. It’s easy to get locked into systems, buried in deadlines, and forget to bring our unique imaginations to the table. Don’t give up the things you’re truly passionate about, because they add richness to your life and in turn your art.

What are you working on now and what’s up next for you?

I’m working infusing rest and play into my process in order to develop my voice but also think more about who my work can serve. I’d like to collaborate more, learn from fellow creatives and engage in communal creative practices. I see my work becoming more experimental and interactive in the future.

Thank you for sharing with us Kristle! To view more of Kristle’s work, visit her website and follow her on Instagram.

Kristle was nominated by Noun Project. All art courtesy of Kristle Marshall.