GROUP DESIGN DIRECTOR, DROGA5, NEW YORK NY
Annette Berry is a Group Design Director at Droga5 where she works across a variety of brands, including Chase, and is active in the agency’s diversity initiatives. Droga5 was recently named Adweek’s 2016 Agency of the Year. She has also been a designer at 3+ Collective and Annette Berry Design, and currently teaches at Parsons. She is equally at home managing large and complex projects or designing the right logo for a small startup, and has been recognized with awards from Communication Arts, Print Magazine, Sappi NA, and the US AD Review.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
New York, New York
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I went to Boston University and double majored in Graphic Design and Art History.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
I’m a morning person disguised as a night owl.
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
I couldn’t pick somebody so Buzzfeed’s Celebrity Spirit Guide quiz said that I’m Jennifer Lawrence.
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I have a great ear for music and I know a lot about it. I know a ton of facts about music. I would totally win Name That Tune.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
The Loveboat
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Girl on the Train
ANY PETS?
A guinea pig named Lana
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English. I can get by with French Favorite movies?
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Hannah and her Sisters, Amelie, Starship Troopers
FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Saul Steinberg, John Heartfield
FAVORITE CHARITY?
The New York Times Neediest Cases List
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Hanging out with my daughter and husband
WHAT’S THE LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
At our holiday party, someone said I was the reason why they joined Droga5
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I collect jewelry, especially necklaces
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Warm colors more than cool
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Helvetica Neue
DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Paul Rand, Fabien Baron
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
My strength is that I have pretty good taste. I really try and get to know or study the product that I’m designing for. As far as weaknesses go, I can sometimes get suckered by a pretty picture.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
While you’re young and don’t have a mortgage or kids or anything like that, don’t worry about money, just do the job that you really want to do.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Architect/interior designer
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Have low/reasonable expectations. Small steps win the day.
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