StylePortfolios: Melissa Fisher

What is your employment status?
MF: Full-time Graphic Artist for The Cayre Group

What is your official job title?
MF: Graphic Artist

Please summarize your professional career in 1 to 3 sentences; what should everyone know about you?
MF: I started out as a Graphic Designer for a small PR company in NYC, and for 20 years to currently, have been working as a Graphic Artist for Children’s sportswear, swim and sleepwear.

Describe what you do?
MF: As an artist, a typical season for me involves trend research, and then executing art for mid market retail. I make all necessary revisions for the client and factories.

Why did you choose to be a designer?
MF: I always had an interest in the graphics and artwork I was surrounded by growing up, whether it was print, billboards, or clothing design. I was drawing since I was 2 years old, and always had an inclination for anything creative and hands on.

What steps did you take to become a designer?
MF: I got my degree in Fashion Merchandising from F.I.T., but learned about Graphic Design through job training, as well as mostly being a self-taught artist.

What is the best/most challenging part of your job?
MF: The best part of my job is the excitement of coming up with fresh ideas every season. The most challenging part is time! It’s a fast paced environment, and not a minute can be wasted. Here is where being organized becomes an asset.

If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
MF: A Comedian or Musician

What do you like about what you do?
MF: I love all aspects of the creative process such as the trend research, drawing, and merchandising a line. I enjoy collaborating with a Design Team, but also like the solitude of being in what I call the “Creative Zone Bubble”.

What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
MF: That we can push a button and the task is magically completed, and all we do is draw pretty pictures!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
MF: In 10 years, I see myself working for a company who appreciates it’s creative staff and nurtures the talent. A company with some flexibility and less of that 9-5 factory mentality with respect for a healthy work-life balance.

What sparked your interest in design?
MF: My father listened to a lot of vinyl records in the 70’s, and I was always interested in the album cover art. This is where I learned about logos and graphic compositions.

Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
MF: Fur! I am an animal lover and have two cats! I can never imagine wearing real fur!

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
MF: I am fascinated by the random acts of kindness and love I see, even in this time of chaos and turmoil. My artwork has a bright aesthetic with a positive message for the young market. I like to instill hope for a brighter future in my artistic endeavors.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
MF: To grow a tough skin and not take criticism personally. Sometimes your client has a very different image for the outcome of the project. After all, it is your job to create what they want in the end.

What advice would you give to young designers?
MF: Work hard! Put in your time. Learn all you can about every aspect of the design process. It will make you a better artist if you understand the product you are designing for. Never say “That’s not in my job description” Every skill you learn makes you much more valuable.

What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
MF: I would love to start a new series of my illustrations, and perhaps even design some retro inspired rock posters.

Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
MF: Always be kind! Never burn your bridges!

What’s your motto?
MF: Be the best version of you.

Other (feel free to tell the readers anything about you that we didn’t ask)
MF: I would one day love to see my art in various markets such as paper goods or accessories!

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