Oscar Toyco
Place of Work: Olivet International, Inc.
Job Title: Designer
1. What is your design story so far? How did you get started in design?
Since I was a kid, I was always interested in the visual arts and dabbled in graphic design here and there. However, I took design more seriously, in 2014, when I went back to school at the Northwest Arkansas Community College. There I graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Graphic Design in 2017 and was hired by Olivet International as a Designer/Product Developer, soon after.
2. What is one thing you’ve learned in your career so far?
So far I’ve learned that graphic design has a strong synergy with business objectives. Communication, collaboration, and trust are crucial to achieving mutual goals.
3. What is one thing you wish someone would have told you?
I wish I had more insight into the many moving pieces of team structures and the role designers play in a team’s hierarchy.
4. Have you learned anything about yourself/design that has surprised you?
Drawing can be used as a tool for quick diagrammatic assessment and planning to help solve complex problems.
5. Where do you go for inspiration or advice?
For inspiration, I look at popular trends in various fields such as fashion, music, Instagram, movies, video games, etc. For occasional advice, I visit my previous NWACC instructors.
6. Where would you like to see your career go from here?
Working in over 12 product categories in my first year has broadened my perspective on what design can achieve. From here, the sky is the limit. It’s a pretty exciting time to be a designer.
7. What are your favorite books, podcasts, blogs, etc?
My favorite books are “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, “How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer” By Debbie Millman, “Creative Confidence” by Tom Kelley & David Kelley. My favorite podcast is “Design Matters with Debbie Millman.”
8. What is your favorite project you’re currently working on?
There are a couple of favorite projects I am working on right now. One of them is an innovation-to-market luggage piece, and the second is a textile pattern design for multiple product applications.
9. What role do emerging designers have in our community?
Emerging designers play a significant role in the design community. Their hunger leads them to have fresh perspectives on design, with a strong focus in achieving them, and their willingness to learn gives them an excellent opportunity to play support for any design team.
10. Where can we find your work?
My Instagram, @otoyco.
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
