Spencer Gabor
Vote by Spencer Gabor
Spencer Gabor is a Brooklyn-based designer and illustrator whose unique style has been sought after by brands like NPR and Skullcandy. We caught up with Spencer to learn more about his career path, where he finds inspiration, and his advice for designers just starting out.
Hi Spencer! Tell us about yourself, how did you get to where you are today and what sparked your interest in design?
Believe it or not, not too long ago I was in business school pursuing a finance degree, despite having been an artist my entire life. The reason for this decision is still unclear even to me (although I'm sure job security and a level of safeness had the most to do with it). There was a certain point where I had a good ole' life crisis and realized I was terrified of spending my life doing something that wasn't creative. This prompted me to then spend months on end teaching myself the Adobe creative suite, Procreate, and other design platforms, along with building bad portfolio after bad portfolio, until I finally was able to arrive to a place that could get me work. This process was pretty painful, but honestly some of the most fun I had in my career...plus now I have a business degree ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Designer Spencer Gabor
How would you describe your aesthetic and how has your design style changed over time?
My aesthetic is rooted in expressive figures and bright colors. I like showing emotion with things that don't have typical faces. Over time, I find myself adding more textures and techniques into my work.
Where do you find creative inspiration?
I've definitely gotten most of my inspiration from living in and around NYC. Growing up in the area, living here and having gone to school here, I've always found that the energy, outfits, people, buildings, etc. is really a great place to draw inspiration from.
What’s been one of your favorite projects to work on so far?
I had the opportunity to work on a campaign for Skullcandy headphones where a print of one of my illustrations was bundled with their product in a limited supply run. Additionally, I helped in designing a "mood" for assets that ran across various channels for an entire month. The project was super cool not just because it featured some of my favorite musical artists, but also because the campaign was centered about mental health awareness which has always been a focal point of my work.
What are some of your favorite design resources?
I actually have a friend whose father was a designer back in the day, so I have access to a ton of vintage Graphis Annuals, ADC Awards and other old-timey award books from the 70s and 80s. I also frequent sites like It's Nice That, Under Consideration, and Pinterest to stay up to date.
What advice would you give to designers who are just starting out?
Make sure your work keeps YOU excited before worrying about whether others like it. If you're not making work you want to make you'll burn out and lose the spark that got you into the field in the first place.
Thank you for sharing with us Spencer! To view more of Spencer’s work, check out his shots on Dribbble.
All images courtesy of Spencer Gabor.