Driven by Design

Design Studio

By Steve Carney, Carbon Wraps

Back in high school, I discovered my love for art and design using Photoshop 5. It all started with doodles and drawings as a kid, which eventually evolved into creating graphics in Microsoft Paint. As my skills grew, I went deeper into graphic design and the world of car wraps.

Movies like Fast and Furious were a huge inspiration for me. They sparked my interest in designing decals and graphics for cars, starting with personal customization projects.

My high school graphic arts teacher, Mr. Lovett, really pushed me to think creatively. He challenged my entry-level design skills to think outside the box and collect business cards. He then had me redesign the cards and supply them to the business owner. I was able to make several contacts this way. It also fueled my passion for helping business owners and clients stand out creatively. I'm proud to say we are still in contact.

After graduation, I landed a job at a local resort's sign production department. There, I learned everything from sign fabrication to large-format printing and vehicle wrapping. It wasn't long before I decided to start my own business, Carbon Wraps.

My Process:

I mainly use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on my trusty HP laptop because I like being able to work wherever creativity strikes. Each project starts with what the client wants.

My design process starts off with the client's ideas/interests as a foundation. For example, one of our clients wanted a 90's arcade-themed wrap, so we narrowed it down to Street Fighter II. With that as a launching point, I took a deep dive into the classic arcade game world focusing on Street Fighter II. My process is to learn as much about the subject in the hopes of achieving the same excitement as the creators of the game had.

I tend to think best at night, I will cast my design on the big screen at home aka the Dojo/ retro game room. Submersed in music and research I start with bringing in the elements that communicate the client's ideas best. Then get input from Jen and we work together to finalize.

The philosophy I have found that works best for me is to work on projects I am excited about.

I love the creativity and challenge of bringing a client's ideas to life. When I can match their energy about the project, I know we are going to have a super blast through the process. @carbonwraps

Working with Clients:

Communication is key. I keep clients updated throughout the process and make sure I'm fully prepared for each project. Before diving in, I create 3-5 quick mock-ups to get a feel for the client's expectations. Adding our logo watermark to designs helps protect our work and keeps things professional. I make sure to keep in contact with the client throughout the process in a timely fashion. I never accept a design job if I’m not ready for it.

Lessons Learned:

One lesson very quickly learned is to require a nonrefundable deposit before any design work is done. I charge for design time, not for artwork. Our designs/ artwork belongs to Carbon Wraps. The client pays for the end result but does not own the artwork. Selling the artwork is a separate price and is an available option. We also provide one-time designs. We let all of our clients know that their wrap will be the only one of its kind from us.

Takeaways:

You are a designer so think outside the box. It's fine to have inspiration, however, be sure to have your own style. Don't be afraid to lead the client. Often times they are not able

to picture or verbalize what they truly need. Some clients need a little pushing and some need a little reigning in, either way, be sure you are proud of the art that is out there.