DAILEY CRAFTON

Dailey Crafton is founding partner and principal at live from bklyn :: visual communications. Founded in January 2009, the firm's creativity has already been tapped by companies and organizations like L'Oreal USA, Willoughby Partners, Wine Australia, Farrar Straus and Giroux, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Crafton lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, Michelle, daughter, Chloe, and newborn son (unborn and unnamed as of the writing of this interview). He loves Taco Bell and doesn't care who knows it.

Where were you born, where do you live, did this effect your design style or sensibilities? I was born in Memphis TN, and live in Brooklyn NY. Both affect my design, at least in as much as anything about us affects everything else about us, but my fascination with the architecture in Brooklyn, old and new, beautiful and ugly, has had an evident impact on my design.

If you were not a designer, what would you be? A musician. I love to play guitar and sing, but what I love most about music is how an idea can be expressed so much more powerfully and beautifully than it can if you just say it.

What is your design process, do you sketch first, go to the computer, take days off to get inspired? I make a list of objects or concepts that come to mind, and then do research online and in my environment. I sketch, trying to fill one page of an 11x14 sketch pad with concepts. I like to go out of the office to sketch. Favorite places include the roof and the park.

What is one thing you have done to help weather the economic downturn? Because we started our business during the downturn, all we've only ever known frugal business practices. We're a lean business with super-low overhead, so our business model keeps costs low anyway. I really can't say that we've taken any deliberate steps to weather the downturn.

What is your greatest strength and weakness as a designer? My greatest strength is my passion. I love what I do, so when I work, I'm not just doing a job, but I pour myself into it. My greatest weakness is difficulty receiving criticism. It's important to realize that valid criticism about my work will help me learn and grow.

YOUR DESIGN HERO?
Charles S. Anderson

WORST HABIT?
Body Drumming

FAVORITE COLOR?
Pantone 116, uncoated

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Currently, Archer

FAVORITE TV SHOWS?
Fringe

FAVORITE BOOKS?
The Bible, The Grammar of Ornament, Rolling Paper Graphics

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Unbreakable

FAVORITE MUSIC?
Currently, Vince Guaraldi Trio self-titled album

FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Marguerite Dailey Crafton (my grandmother, after whom I am named.)

FAVORITE GADGET?
iPhone (I have a feeling you'll be seeing this a lot.)

BOOKMARKED WEBSITES?
actionmethod.com, underconsideration.com/fpo, 8daysaweek.org

BEST GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
My family

ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?
See favorite gadget.

ONE THING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
God Almighty

TALENT YOU WISH YOU POSSESSED?
A nasty roundhouse kick.