Edan Esinly—fresh out of school has some serious talent! Originally from Israel and after studying at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design Jerusalem—Edans now managed to get his foot in the door at Pentagram NYC. Exciting times! Have a read over what sparked Edan's creative side, his design crushes at the moment and something naughty he did to get ahead
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
I really enjoyed scrapbooking when I was younger — choosing images from my family photo albums and putting text next to them. I didn’t exactly know back then what graphic design meant, but I was doing it unconsciously. I was also really into home design shows, I remember thinking I wanted to be an interior designer. I would rearrange the furniture in my room every other week. I loved changing things. I was also very drawn to magazines — the paper and the images. Fashion, interior design, cooking. I think now I can see that I was always interested in the structure of stories — the way magazines would use the same format to tell different stories each month. The way a story was being told was always more interesting to me than the story itself.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
I’m a graphic designer and I’m working at Pentagram’s New York office for partner Natasha Jen. I graduated from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem in the summer of 2017 and moved to NY about 6 months ago. I’m mainly working on identity projects.
Who are your top five design crushes right now?
What three naughty things have you done in your career to get ahead?
I sent direct emails to people I don’t know. More than three. Maybe 50. This is something I learnt from my friend who’s an animator, who emailed 200 different people before getting his internship at a New York studio. Emails to general inquiry addresses just never get answered.
I think now I can see that I was always interested in the structure of stories — the way magazines would use the same format to tell different stories each month. The way a story was being told was always more interesting to me than the story itself.
What role does digital design play in your studio in 2018, and how to you apply traditional graphic design skills in a digital age?
What used to be a your printed business card is now your Instagram feed. Changes in the medium requires continuously learning new skills (like animation, photography and 3D modeling), but also doing the “traditional” thing which is research. It helps creating something that lasts.
What advice would you give students starting out?
Be curious and meditate.
Where to find Edan Esinly online.
Instagram: @esinly
Website: esinly.com
