Kenny Gravillis

CO-FOUNDER + CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR, GRAVILLIS INC., LOS ANGELES CA

Kenny Gravillis was born and raised in East London. In 1987, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in graphic design. He quickly found his niche in the music industry and started out in the art department at Def Jam Records where he met his soon-to-be wife, DeAnna. He designed album packages for the likes of Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and Notorious B.I.G. After five successful years, he made his move to MCA Records where he quickly became Vice President of Creative Services after relocating to Los Angeles. In 2000, Kenny and his wife/business partner launched Gravillis Inc., a boutique graphic design studio that would seek to visually communicate challenging and thought-provoking ideas for the underestimated savvy consumer. With the state of the music industry declining in 2006, Kenny re-directed his focus towards theatrical and tv campaigns. Gravillis Inc. now predominately works on advertising campaigns for the entertainment industry. Clients include The Weinstein Company, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, Beats By Dre, HBO, Netflix, FX and more. Kenny makes time for his wife, two kids, and all things soccer.

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

Find an industry that you are passionate about and going all out for that. People will notice because desire and passion is a hot commodity. Don’t settle for designing restaurant menus if you want to be designing album covers.

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

Growing up in London and going to art school there affected my design sensibility. It is drilled into my psyche that concept is king. There are more options to find people that can execute a great idea but finding good thinkers always seems to be more of a challenge.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Blue

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk BE

FAVORITE APP?
Flixster

FAVORITE WEBSITES?
HBOGO.com

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
House of Cards, Veep

FAVORITE BOOKS?
How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy. Every designer should read it.

FAVORITE MOVIES?
The Shawshank Redemption

FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
The Roots/Wayne Shorter

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Jackson Pollock

GREATEST STRENGTH AS A DESIGNER?
I am open-minded about input from others. I believe there is a power in collaboration.

WEAKNESS?
Getting stuck on a typeface.

TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Speaking multiple languages

IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Soccer player

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
A good idea is worth fighting for

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