OWNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DSO CREATIVE, RIO RANCHO NM
DeAnn opened her design studio after honing her skills as Production Manager and Art Director at Central New Mexico Community College and Lead Designer at Santa Fe Community College. At dso creative she has collaborated with and created ideas for many ad agencies, independent clients and large corporations for over 15 years. She has developed brands and creative for New Mexico Appleseed, The Catholic Foundation, Spanish Colonial Arts Society, New Mexico Legal Aid, Natures Force Organics, New Mexico Heart Institute Foundation, Central New Mexico Community College, The Cadmus Group, American Cancer Society, Santa Fe Community College and New Mexico Kids Matter among others. DeAnn has been recognized with awards from the AAF New Mexico, GDUSA, the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations and PRSA. She was named a 2013 Albuquerque Business First Woman of Influence, has served as president of the AAF New Mexico, and is currently a board member. She also serves on the New Mexico Kids Matter Board of Directors.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in the Santa Fe aka The City Different. I now live in Rio Rancho but do most of my work for clients in Albuquerque and nationwide
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
The Graphic Design program at New Mexico State University
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
I’m a big-time night owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec. I identify with her vapid, unwavering optimism. Plus we are now both blondes
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
No musical talent
FAVORITE BOOK?
Cat’s Cradle and House of Leaves
FAVORITE MOVIE?
My all-time favorite movie is John Waters’ Crybaby
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
I tend to work late at night so I have binge watched pretty much everything, most recently Portlandia
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Hands down, its Instagram
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Francis Bacon
FAVORITE CHARITY?
I do work for a number of my favorite non-profits: New Mexico Appleseed, The Catholic Foundation, New Mexico Legal Aid, New Mexico Heart Institute Foundation, Central New Mexico Community College, Santa Fe Community College and New Mexico Kids Matter
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Travel and ultimate frisbee
COLLECT ANYTHING?
I have a collection of old dolls from all over the world which freaks out my daughter. I also have an impressive collection of Pez machines which freaks out my husband.
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
I go through phases. I just finished my orange phase and am now easing into my lime green phase
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Gotham, Gotham and more Gotham. Did I mention Gotham?
DOES PRINT HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR DESIGNS?
Yes. It seems that comprehensive campaigns still thrive and work in my market.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Milton Glaser, Margo Chase, Paula Scher
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
As a female, Hispanic, small business owner and a working mom, time management and problem solving are my strengths; weakness is my inability to say no
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Don’t expect perfection. Just make sure that it is good, compelling and purposeful
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A costume designer
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
No one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep
[php function=33]
