Dan Moore - Graphic designer

How did you get started as an artist/graphic designer?

It was 1999, the year after I'd finished University, and I'd just been made redundant from my job in a record shop in Derby. I was already supplementing my wages by DJing and making flyers for friends' night in the local area. I'd finished my Fine Art degree with no interest in the subject and was half-resigned to drifting along for a while. One of my musician friends was in the process of having his album cover designed by someone in Nottingham, so I got in touch with them. After a bit of back and forth I started a two week placement over there, with only a rough knowledge of Quark 3 to help me along. Two weeks went to six, during which time I built and decorated the reception area to keep busy. I made it my mission to learn as much as possible, put in as many hours as I could and to make myself invaluable. It worked and I eventually went full time.


When did you first realise a career in art/graphic design was what you wanted to do?

I've always drawn and been interested in art, since I was very young. Throughout school I was quite academic but always had the creative part of me in the background. When it came to really thinking about my future through A-levels and University I went for a mix (Physics, Maths, Art and English!) because I had an idea about being an architect at the time. This faded away as my interest in painting grew, which is what I went on to study at University.


What art/graphic design training have you had?

I've had no formal design training. I have an A-level in Art and a degree in Fine Art. My degree work consisted of a mixture of screenprinted sculptures and sound installations. I learnt what I know about graphic design and the wider field through reading and doing, and through the people I've worked with over the years.


When you're designing, what do you think about?

All sorts. I think the main thing is to keep thinking around and beyond the subject and idea, so you're not limiting outside influences. I tend to be working on at least 3 projects at any one time, as well as looking after day to day business matters and overseeing other jobs. Because of this thoughts are flying around all the time - I find writing a lot down helps to organise the flow and keep some focus.


What’s the most important piece of professional advice you’ve received?

It's not that specific to design but a good friend of mine once told me to 'leave work at work'. I found this invaluable in dealing with the stresses and strains of running a business and it's allowed me to still have an active, creative and inquisitive mind outside of work, without it feeling like 'work'.


Why did you choose graphic design over other art forms? How does it suit your style?

I eventually fell into it, rather than chose it. I had no knowledge or real interest in it until I left University, apart from collecting flyers and record covers from that era that I liked - stuff like Swifty, Mo' Wax sleeves (Will Bankhead and Ben Drury), Filter and Nuphonic stuff (Tom Hingston)  and early Deconstruct stuff (Farrow I think). I realised that the stuff I'd been producing visually was leaning in a graphic direction and I found I had quite a natural eye for type, despite knowing nothing of the formal rules.


What's your working process? Do you begin digitally or start with a pencil sketch? Do you work best at particular times in the day?

It will always start with a thought, which I'll write down and then develop from there. I find being on train journeys is good for developing ideas, where it's just me, a pad and a pen. I sometimes develop things visually, through sketches and rough layouts, and then from there I'll open it up to the studio and we'll try and brainstorm things further and test the idea.


How do you stay creative?

It's not something I consciously think about, but I guess it's about keeping open to anything that might influence your thinking, and especially by not limiting yourself to looking or thinking about a narrow field or view - ie entirely graphic design. I encourage all of our staff to be on the lookout for anything that might provide inspiration for an idea or project, because I think the best things can come to you when you least expect it - as cliched as that might sound. I've had ideas for projects in places as diverse as on holiday, cleaning the bathroom and even whilst dreaming.


What influences and inspirations would you cite?

Visually and conceptually I am always drawn to British and American art from the 60s and early 70s, as well as plenty of older British art and craft. I love the distillation of form and colour and how that period of fine art found it's way into the wider commercial design world - from fabrics through to furniture and cars. Generally though, artists that I particularly like include Frank Stella, Robyn Denny, Bridget Riley, Peter Blake, Ed Ruscha, Patrick Caulfield, JW Whistler, Charles Paine, Donald Judd, Cy Twombly, Paul Rand, Ken Garland, Ivan Chermyaff, Robert Brownjohn, Alan Fletcher - the list could go on and on!


Is there anything you'd like to add to your long list of accomplishments?

I wouldn't say it's long! For me it's about staying interested in what I'm doing and getting enjoyment out of it still. For that to happen I have to keep doing different things, and challenging what I do.

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