FEATURES
BY MEG FRANKLIN
In the past five or so years, Brooklyn-
Constraints usually make me think
make me think in a different way than I
based designer Damien Correll has seen
in a different way than I would maybe
would maybe naturally think,” he says. “I
his playful, ruggedly old school design
naturally think.
find they make the process a little more enjoyable and the final output is usually
sensibility attract an impressive number
something I’m more proud of.”
of heavy hitters—Nike, The New York
Often, he’ll take the idea even further, “If
Times Magazine, Nickelodeon, and
I’m at home, I will do it. Or if I’m [at the
Urban Outfitters have all enlisted his
studio], I will do it… the idea process and
If he could impart any of his knowledge
aesthetic expertise.While he can list his
the making process usually come hand in
to younger creatives, it would be this—
innate talent first in the recipe for those
hand or immediately following.” It’s no
“Know your heroes; know your references;
achievements, it’s certainly not the only
surprise then that Correll sees the passing
know your inspiration.” Correll, for
active ingredient. Second is a highly
of too much time between the idea phase
instance, is not only able to pinpoint his
action-oriented work ethic best described
and the final, tangible phase as a detriment
influences—early Sesame Street, modern
by the phrase “hit the ground running.” It’s
to his work. Accordingly, he prefers short
Dutch furniture and ornamentation, 50s
this ingredient, which solidifies ideas, that
deadlines, which ward off second-guessing
product logos, and folk art—he is able to
Correll met with us in his DUMBO studio
in favor of “relying on your gut feeling.”
rattle off a brief history lesson on each, if called upon. “I think it’s really, really
to discuss. Though Correll’s work may happen
important to know some design history.
The first piece in any design puzzle, of
quickly, it doesn’t happen magically;
You don’t have to know the whole thing,
course, is the idea. However, it’s nothing—
instead self-imposed constraints guide
but know what you’re interested in
Correll realizes—unless it’s remembered.
him along the route from intangible to
and know where it comes from and the
He explains, “Whenever I feel a thought or
tangible. He says, “I think if you’re given a
context, and know that everyone working
lightning strikes, I try to capitalize on that
clean, fresh palette, and you do whatever
now is derivative of something else that’s
as soon as possible because I know an idea
you want, it’s almost too much freedom,
come before it.”
can be fleeting, and also your will to see it
at least for me. And the way to combat
through isn’t always the most reliable.” To
that is to reel back.” His methods for
keep the idea present and capitalize on it,
“reeling back” include limiting a particular
Correll will, “jot down a note or do a quick
project’s color palette or imposing it with
sketch.”
his own deadlines. “Constraints usually
64
WAVE Magazine