fanny krivoy

Fanny Krivoy has been creative director of Renegade Marketing Group for nearly two years, leading a talented team on diverse projects for a wide variety of clients, from Panasonic and Technics to Ravenswood and DoubleClick. Krivoy’s office is in Manhattan’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood, in what was once a Nabisco cookie factory. The building also houses the bustling Chelsea Market, ensuring that her trips to and from the office include a variety of tempting sights and smells, from fresh cut flowers to just-from-the-oven cookies. Before joining Renegade, Krivoy led the design group at Organic, where she was creative director for such clients as Reebok, Armani Exchange, the Tribeca Film Festival, the MONY Group and others. In Caracas, Venezuela, where she was born and raised, Krivoy had her own studio and taught design for five years at the prestigious Prodise o Design School, where she also headed the design department. She studied at the Neuman School of Design in Caracas before specializing in typographic design at the London College of Printing, where she graduated with honors. Her work has won several awards and has been published in Venezuela, the U.K. and the United States.

Do you feel hopeful about 2005?
I am always energized by new projects and clients, and I am fortunate that several particularly interesting challenges are on the horizon. Many friends and colleagues in the design industry seem to share my excitement, so I do feel optimistic.

How has graphic design changed since you started?
Some things have changed dramatically, but some things have not changed at all. Certainly, there is a new influx of people interested in graphic design as a career, and an increased interest in design among the general public, all of which contribute greatly to the field. Additionally, the intimate relationship we had with the shape and negative spaces of letters has been replaced by other relationships — for example, with technology and new means of expression. These changes in technology have not only affected the way we execute our ideas but seem to have expanded how we think about design. Now that we can translate more of what we can imagine into a visual representation that is very close to reality, our imaginations have the freedom to keep growing. But having been fortunate to work not just for a number of years but also in different countries and cultures, I believe that integrity of concept, good content and impeccable execution continue to remain the essence of what constitutes good design.

How and where do you find inspiration?
Because it is one of the things I enjoy the most, finding inspiration is part of everyday life for me. It is important to keep your eyes open and bring your curiosity with you everywhere. I like to stay on top of what is happening in the design world, but it is just as important to learn from other fields and from daily life. Books, music, theater, film and travel are all critical — as are my relationships with friends and family, because good design communicates and connects. One small example: Spending time with my two-year-old niece has given me fresh ways to see the world. A favorite video of hers even provided the inspiration for an internal Renegade project. To their credit, my team members overcame any initial skepticism they might have had and our project won accolades from our colleagues!

What do you do in your time away from work?
I’m always up for adventure, whether it is discovering a corner in New York, the jungle in Venezuela or scuba diving in Micronesia.

will burke

Will Burke, principal and creative director at Be Design, started his design career at the age of three. He explains, “Drawing cars and airplanes. I wanted to design sports cars. Pinifarina and Luigi Colani were my inspirations. By the time I was in junior high school, my interests were logos — airlines in particular, as I traveled a lot as a child –– and auto racing — I’m still a diehard Formula One fan. Then I ‘grew up’, studied physics, graduated with a B.S. and then went to business school for my M.B.A. Having decided that Wall Street was not for me, and yearning for a more creative outlet beyond my weekly cartoon strip, a schoolmate introduced me to Landor Associates. I walked in, and wow — what I did for fun these guys were getting paid to do. I started as an intern and had the pleasure to work with Walter Landor. After a time in New York, I came back to the left coast and met my eventual business partner, Eric Read. We started Be Design in 1997 out of my one bedroom apartment. Our first client was Armstrong Floors (thank you, Tom!). It has been seven years, we are now moving into our third space, are 10 times the staff, have won numerous awards and have a diverse, eclectic client base, from a small tea house to Hewlett-Packard. The best part is that we are still having fun!”

Do you feel hopeful about 2005?
“I do believe in fairies, I do, I do!” That is what my youngest daughter tells me, and I believe her. We are very hopeful about the 2005. We’ve always grown taking baby steps, only accepting projects where we could over deliver on strategy, creativity and client service. Internally, we call this “Balance, Simple, Team.” This belief has served us well. Going into the new year, we brought on a third principal, Dave Studeman. We look forward to new clients and delivering solutions while being true to our core values.

How has graphic design changed since you started?
I believe that graphic design has always been about communication. Art versus business? Why can’t it be both? Good design pleases the senses. It talks to you on many levels. The best design creates a dialog between company and customer — connects a brand with an audience’s lifestyle. Strategy connects art and business. Cool!

How and where do you find inspiration?
Playing make-believe with my two daughters, Jane and Emma (ages four and two); riding one of my vintage Italian motorcycles; shopping at the mall — just absorbing the experience — products, design, textures, people, sounds. Formula One.

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?
What I listen to varies almost daily with what my girls like — U2; Kookaburra’s song, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”; “Do Re Mi”; Robby Williams (from my friends in Germany); Texas. My reading is mostly magazines — Harper's Bazaar, Autoweek, Wallpaper, Dwell — motorcycle workshop manuals and Dr. Suess. I love my tv, and most of my favorite shows are now off the air — Buffy, The Office. I'm watching Star Trek Enterprise, Survivor, American Chopper and anything on IFC. I recently saw DIG on Sundance. Now I’m a Brian Jonestown Massacre fan.

What do you like to do in your time away from work?
I mostly like to play at home with my daughters and wife, Carissa. Traveling with them at least three to four weeks a year. Last year the family was in Mallora and then Athens for the Olympics. I purchased a new set of golf clubs over six months ago and still haven’t got out. Golf anyone?

zoa martinez

Zoa Martinez is an internationally renowned designer/director, multiple Emmy Award winner, and celebrated media artist and imagemaker. Expressive and original, Martinez is acclaimed for both her aggressive creative and business acumen, and is best known for strong branding concepts and innovative style. Martinez knows how to package and position a brand across all media, including tv, the web, in print and on the streets. She is currently president/ creative director of ZONA Design, a multidisciplinary design agency launched in 1999 with her partner Dennis Fluet, which specializes in the general, youth and Hispanic markets. Headquartered in the Empire State Building in Manhattan, the firm is known for bold geometries, moving messages and provocative concepts. The portfolio includes projects for Disney/ESPN Networks, AOL Time Warner Networks, 5Boro Skateboards, Discovery Communications, Encore Media Group, Rainbow Media Holdings, Chrysler, Dodge and the various A&E Networks, among others.

Do you feel hopeful about 2005?
Absolutely! I am very optimistic about the future. When I first knew I wanted a career in design, there were so many options to explore: fashion illustration, product development, advertising. By circumstance or design, one hones in on one aspect of the field and, God willing, succeeds in that arena. However, I never felt I had to limit myself to just one creative area. In addition to broadcast design and motion branding, I am an artist and have had many opportunities to design for brands in alternative mediums. I am also an established director. My passion for product development has led me to create skateboards and jackets, and to explore other opportunities in consumer goods, fashion and furnishings. For an artist who can take advantage of the myriad avenues, the design field offers exciting possibilities.

What is your workday like?
I am not an early riser. My internal clock works better late into the evening. As soon as I walk in the office door, I hit the ground running, fielding questions, handling creative or business issues or both. This is a fast paced and high energy environment. As the creative director, my team is always my first priority. Many things are happening at once and I find myself frequently running from one zone to another. It may seem chaotic, but we are very buttoned up; you have to be if you are to deliver great creative and service to your clients.

How and where do you find inspiration?
Usually, my inspiration is born out of chaos. When there is a need for problem solving, tight deadlines or a budget crunch, I get fired up and passionate and generate my most creative ideas. In contrast, I also find inspiration in the simple moments when I am sitting at the beach, analyzing the complexity of my ideas. This stillness allows me to create an action plan that I bring back to New York and the chaos once again.

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?
My iPod is loaded with Cuban music and The Cure. At the moment I am listening to Gwen Stefani, Interpol and Anna Cristina (a Latin cross-over artist who is also a family member). I surf the tv channels all the time. I have very little free time, but I do love tv, and it is exciting to see work I have done show up on screen. I pick up magazines; the range is broad — Paper, New York, Wallpaper, Eye, Graphic Design usa, Latina, People en Espanol, Crain’s New York Business, Adweek, Ad Age, Newsweek, Business Week, Fast Company, I.D., Tokion.

What do you like to do in your time away from work?
I become a beach bum in el sol de SoBe Miami and unwind with my family. When I can’t get to Miami, I am a cosmopolitan Latina. I take long, brisk walks in New York City with my camera, doing urban exploration. I ride my bike down the Hudson River Park, mix music and shop, shop, shop!