PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
My name is Isabelle Tan and I am a Communication Design senior. I was born in Malaysia and was raised in Bangkok, Thailand ever since I was 2 months old. I am passionate about design, typography, and exploring the usage of type as an image. I believe typography is the very core of good design and that it has become a genuine art form in the world of graphic design. I make time to explore themes that I don’t fully understand in science, music, and fashion. I also love collecting books!
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
I get inspired to work by things that surround me such as books, music and sound, furniture, and textures (skin, hair, mold/decay, pixels). The form of my work takes a lot of inspiration from mathematical and scientific graphs, data, and musical notations.
WHAT AREA OR AREAS OF DESIGN ARE YOU HOPING TO WORK OR SPECIALIZE IN?
Right now, book/editorial or web design, hopefully within the field of arts, and anything that has a focus on typography and craft.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
I really look up to the works of Larissa Kasper, Rosario Florio, Samuel Baenziger, Olivier Hug, Tracy Ma, Damon Zucconi and also Tauer Auerbach. My professors also really inspire me!
WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR TIME IN DESIGN SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?
Being a student at Parsons has taught me a lot technically, how to design a brand system, typeset, and code, but most importantly I have honed in on my interests and discovered who I am and how to work with the topics I am passionate about and deeply fascinated by. I feel very lucky!
WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?
I have been slowly reading Caps Lock by Ruben Pater. I feel like it’s important to learn about how graphic design is linked to the outlook of our economy today. The music I listen to influences my work a lot! I love anything ambient, electronic, and experimental. A few of my favorite musicians include Four Tet, Biosphere, Fridge, Floating Points, and Uther Moads.
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