David Schwarz

CREATIVE PARTNER, HUSH, BROOKLYN NY

David Schwarz is an award-winning creative leader and founding partner of HUSH, a design agency. He’s spent over a decade spent working with brands to design valuable experiences using content, interactivity, architecture and technology. After graduating from Art Center College of Design, he worked for notable creative studios, interactive agencies and design firms on both coasts. Since founding HUSH, he has developed numerous projects across the sport, luxury, beauty, technology and entertainment categories, most notably: Nike, Sonos, Estee Lauder, Google, Ted Baker, Esquire, among others. Schwarz has been featured in publications like Creativity, AdWeek, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, FWA, The Hub and IdN. He’s spoken at conferences for AdWeek, AIGA, SEGD, FITC, SXSW, Styleframes, Seattle Interactive Conference, Event Design Summit, Thinking Creatively, Columbia School of Architecture, The One Show, Digital Dumbo, as well as judged numerous competitions.

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

Exposure. Pure talent can’t buy life experience. The best designers I’ve ever seen have pure talent, yes, but have constantly tried new things, switched gears, changed mediums, locations, styles, technologies. Conventional thinking is: refine your portfolio, focus on a practice, get in somewhere good, and hone your craft. It’s a very Adam Smith-ian way of thinking. Or Henry Ford-ian. Or, maybe Jiro Ono-ian. In any case, I’m more interested in broad thinkers, so the more exposure you can get the earlier on in your career, the faster you’ll find your true calling.

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

Born in New York City. Raised in New Jersey. Matured in California. Growing roots in Brooklyn. Location certainly affects anyone’s design point of view. But I’d suggest that it has more influence on LIFEstyle than style. Design is a frame of thinking – not a style or trend. The most impact New York has had on me is that of unrelenting motivation. There’s nothing like driving around LA during magic hour, but nothing can compare to the speed and opportunity found in a single day in New York.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Blue

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Franklin Gothic

FAVORITE APP?
Instagram

FAVORITE WEBSITES?
Artsy, Architizer, Hawlin, Co. Design, Colossal, CreativeApplications, Nowness

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
The Wire

FAVORITE BOOKS?
Einstein’s Dreams

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Zoolander, 2001, Eternal Sunshine, Medium Cool, The Royal Tenenbaums

FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
Steely Dan

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Sol Lewitt

GREATEST STRENGTH?
Motivation

WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Focus

TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Name recognition

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Psychiatrist

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Do it once, do it right

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