[image credit: Andy Friedman]
In 1999 Rob Hewitt swapped his small town outside of Vancouver, British Columbia for New York in order to pursue editorial design. Since then, Hewitt has held design positions at various magazines and served as art director for such magazines as Play (New York Times Sports Magazine), National Geographic Adventure, Golf and Premiere. After eight years in the magazine industry working with people he admired—and after Premiere's untimely demise—Hewitt decided to open CuriousOutsider, a small design studio located in New York City. Clients include United Airlines Hemispheres Inflight Magazine/Ink Publishing, MIT Technology Review, MovieMaker magazine American Photography and New York University Medical Center. Hewitt's work has been recognized by Communication Arts, Print, AIGA (New York) and the Type Director’s
04.06.10
Staring into Space
If you have a degree in what field is it? A bachelor’s in graphic design from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. However, I did start out on the path of becoming a high school teacher but after a semester I happened to run into my old high school art teacher and she asked what I was doing. I really credit her for giving me a good push to take a chance and embrace something that I didn’t really know I could turn into a career.
Which designer (or design studio), other than yours, do you most admire? Just one? It would have to be John Warwicker.
What’s the strangest request you’ve received from a client? Hmm...to be honest, I don’t think I’ve been asked to do anything too strange.
If you weren’t working as a designer what would you be doing? Does this have to be real? Because I would have to say that I would love to work at CERN in the particle physics laboratory but I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.
What well-known identity is most desperately in need of a redesign? Pepsi. I know it was just redesigned but it seems like it needs a complete rethink.
From where do your best ideas originate? I’m not sure I know, I mean I know that I can catch myself staring into space (daydreaming). The brain is funny that way. Perhaps I think best when I’m not thinking.
How do you overcome a creative block? Go to the gym, listen to some music, just try to escape from it. Incubation is key.
What’s your dream project (not client, but project)? It would have to be typography/design for a movie title.
Do you have creative outlets other than graphic design? I still play ice hockey and I’ve always found that at its core it’s a very creative game.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? I’m not quite sure I’ve figured that out yet. There’s always a sketchbook nearby for thoughts and I do bounce a lot of ideas off my wife or show her a layout to get a fresh perspective.
What product/gadget can you not live without? Sketchbook/iPhone.
What’s your favorite quote? “Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential.” —Winston Churchill
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Try to give yourself time to think before getting on the computer—a strong concept enables successful design—and of course give 100 percent on all projects/assignments.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? A supportive environment helps strong design flourish.