Livvy Pierce
Place of Work: Turner Duckworth, San Francisco
Job Title: Intern
1. What is your design story so far? How did you get started in design?
When I came to the University of Arkansas I was deciding between majoring in art, English or physics! It makes me laugh now, but looking back it also makes sense; I enjoy story-telling as well as problem solving, and graphic design allows you to do both.
2. What is one thing you’ve learned in your career so far?
I have been learning how to trust myself. After graduating, it was daunting to be off of a timeline for the first time, ever. Then I realized it was the first time I really could do whatever I wanted. I moved to France to work a very unglamorous and non-design job, but it was exactly what I needed both personally and creatively. I was pretty burnt-out from undergrad, and I think if I had gone straight into a design job I would have felt lost there. Anyway, after making that first terrifying decision I’ve come to trust myself more, which I think has translated into the things I choose to pursue now.
3. What is one thing you wish someone would have told you?
It’s ok that you don’t know what you’re doing, because most people don’t really know either. Don’t count yourself out. Welcome to adulthood, here’s a W-4 form!
4. Have you learned anything about yourself/design that has surprised you?
I’m continually surprised by how broad the design world is. I’ve been listening to a podcast called Lecture in Progress where they interview people in different creative fields, and most of these jobs I didn’t know existed beforehand.
5. Where do you go for inspiration or advice?
AIGA’s Eye on Design and It’s Nice That are my go-to websites. I also love the online publications Man Repeller and Riposte because of their refreshing content.
6. Where would you like to see your career go from here?
Honestly, I’m not sure. It seems like a lot of designers are designers because they have too many interests, and I’m one of those. I know I’m very happy where I am now—it’s pretty exciting to be in an agency. I believe design is both a tool to connect humans in a genuine way, and to put good into the world by solving complex problems. So I’ll keep pursuing opportunities that allow me to do both of those things.
7. What are your favorite books, podcasts, blogs, etc?
The classic design podcasts like Design Matters and 99 Percent Invisible, but I also love Malcom Gladwell’s Revisionist History, Invisibilia, The Allusionist, On Being with Krista Tippett and My Favorite Murder. In the past year I’ve started listening to more current events podcasts like Today Explained and The Weeds. I’ve realized that as designers we have a responsibility for our own voices, so I’m trying to be more aware of what is happening around me.
8. What is your favorite project you’re currently working on?
Right now I’m starting a project that is dealing with memory. I’m interested in how we self-document ourselves, or how we are the subjects of documentation as we move through the world. Over the past year I’ve been alternating between using an old 35mm camera and disposable cameras, and I’ve kept a lot of random pieces of paper like receipts and metro tickets. I’m currently compiling these artifacts together, and the final form it will take is TBD.
9. What role do emerging designers have in our community?
I think emerging designers bring gumption and naivety to the table. They don’t know what they don’t know, so they’ll do it anyway. Being a young designer is this weird mix of feeling like you know nothing while simultaneously believing you can do anything if you just keep going. I’m blatantly aware of the first fact, and crossing my fingers for the second!
10. Where can we find your work?
My portfolio is livvypierce.com, and my visual journal that I forget to update is livpierce.tumblr.com.
About EMERGE
AIGA EMERGE is a national program series designed to empower, engage, and inspire emerging designers of different backgrounds and experiences as they grow their career. For more information about EMERGE, visit emerge.aiga.org.
EMERGE Awareness Week in Semptember 24 – October 3, 2018
