Kristel Posen, founder of Studio Posen, recently chatted to us about how studying as an architect influenced and shaped her graphic design style, growing a business out of side projects at a kitchen table, and how to create your own happiness at work.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied close to home, in Belgium. I finished my studies as an architect and afterwards started on my graphic design bachelor and masters. My first job actually started out in an architecture office. At the same time, I started up my own business as a sort of side-project, taking on every project that I could manage. I was working evenings and weekends at my kitchen table on different branding projects. The workload was pretty ok; I managed one project at a time, or two at most. After a while, I started getting more and more projects, which evolved in having my own studio today.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
We love to create visually compelling graphics for all types of brands, big and small. This ranges from guiding a start-up in creating their story and visuals, or shaping a brand identity for an existing company. It all revolves around the story of a brand; we like to look at the big picture. We are a one-stop graphic design agency — we design everything from beginning to end, from logo to website.
What are your three must-read design books, blogs or podcasts and why?
Podcast: The Future.
Learning from other creatives is the nicest way to learn. I love the way he shares his insights and experience in a practical way. If you want to start-up your own business, I would highly recommend listening to this podcast.
Book: Design As Art by Bruno Munari.
Must-read for every designer. It’s a glimpse into the creative mind. Bruno Munari sees the designer as the artist of today.
Book: Do/Design - Why Beauty Is Key To Everything.
It’s a great book to reflect on how and why you create things. Everything is designed and has the possibility to be beautiful and meaningful.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Create your own happiness. It’s all about living your life to the fullest and doing what you like. You spend so much time at work, it’s better to have a job that you really like. For me, this meant starting up my own studio where I could do my own thing. Creating beautiful visuals and stories for brands makes me happy straight to my core. The best perk of managing my own studio is meeting really enthusiastic, driven people that have great ideas. This makes it all worthwhile.
The best perk of managing my own studio is meeting really enthusiastic, driven people that have great ideas.
How did you develop your style and what tips would you have for others?
My style developed out of my studies in architecture, I guess. It’s typical for architects to be into fine lines, light fonts and geometrical shapes. I think this still guides me along the way, but I’m still developing and changing my style every day. Every new project asks for a fresh set of eyes and needs a blank page to start with. As a tip I would say that it’s always great to get inspiration from your own life, past, travels… Every life experience is something you can use in your work. My studies and jobs in architecture have shaped me into the person I am today. I think I would probably be a less-experienced graphic designer if I started with graphic design straight from college. Sometimes you just need some time to grow.
2019 for you in a sentence.
2019 was the most exciting and scariest year at the same time, as I started to work full time as a graphic designer and rented my first office in the most beautiful co-working space, Firma in Brussels.
Where to find Studio Posen online.
Website: studioposen.be
Instagram: @studioposen
