Kevin Cantrell

ART DIRECTOR, DESIGNER, LETTERING ARTISTKEVIN CANTRELL DESIGN, SALT LAKE CITY UT

Kevin Cantrell is an art director, designer and lettering artist. He recently opened his own studio in Salt Lake City UT which specializes in comprehensive brand identity, brand strategy, custom lettering, packaging and interactive applications. He has lived in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, New York and now Salt Lake. This diverse upbringing has helped him understand brand ethnographic influences. When crafting a brand, Kevin focuses on core principles, with an emphasis on typography, to strategically and elegantly communicate a story that resonates with the audience cross-culturally. Kevin earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Brigham Young University. He has worked with clients such as M&RL, Neenah Paper, Fetcham Park (UK), Harvard University, Princeton University, Phillips Exeter Academy and Cottonhouse Hotel (Barcelona). His work has been recognized by Communication Arts Design and Typography Annuals, Graphis, Type Directors Club, Print Regional Design Annual and the One Show. Kevin was recently named one of Print Magazine’s 20 under 30 New Visual Artists. In 2014, he was named an ADC Young Gun.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?

If you want to excel in design, a 9-5 day isn’t going to cut it. Find an area in design that you are passionate about and work on it in your spare time; if you would do it if no one paid you, that’s a great place to start.

HOW DOES WHERE YOU WERE BORN, GREW UP OR LIVE NOW EFFECT YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY OR STYLE?

I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Between two and now, I’ve lived in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Washington State, New York, and Utah. All these locations have influenced my design sensibilities. From the engineering and minimal brilliance of Germany, to the historic gaslight style of the pioneer days in Utah.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Red

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
One I haven’t designed yet

FAVORITE APP?
Instagram, BBC News

FAVORITE WEBSITES?
ESPN, Ids, mr-cup, designworklife, dictionary, CNN

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Downton Abbey before it went downhill.

FAVORITE BOOKS?
The Book of Mormon, Lord of the Rings, Lawrence of Arabia, anything by Jane Austen

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, And There Was Light, Les Miserables

FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
U2

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
No one living

GREATEST STRENGTH?
Attention to detail

WEAKNESS?
Attention to detail

TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Singing

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Fantasy writer

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Let your light so shine before men

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