Martin Schott

DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, NEW YORK NY

Martin Schott is Director, Creative Services at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts where he is responsible for developing creative visual strategies to support Lincoln Center’s brand identity, including programming, fundraising and education. Prior to his current role, Martin worked at Christie’s, where he served as Vice President and Creative Director of the Americas, developing marketing initiatives for some of the most expensive fine art, jewelry, furniture and decorative arts ever sold at auction. He studied Communication Design at Art Center Europe in La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland and transferred to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA where he graduated with a BFA in Graphic and Packaging Design.

WHERE OR HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR DESIGN WORK?
The visualization and ideas for a project often come instantly. Otherwise I go through the obvious solutions at first, remaining alert to my environment “looking for visual clues” that pop up in unexpected places. I let the ideas “simmer” for a while to see if they still remain captivating and how to go beyond that first thought. I find inspiration in architecture, magazines, photography and travel.

HOW DOES WHERE YOU WERE BORN, GREW UP OR LIVE NOW AFFECT YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY OR STYLE?
Born in Basel, Switzerland I spent many summers of my youth at my grandparents’ house outside Warsaw, Poland. I was always drawn to American culture and lifestyle. 20 years ago I came to Pasadena, California and now live on Roosevelt Island in New York. I have been influenced by the simplicity of Swiss design and the iconography of Polish poster design. Less is more.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Red

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Univers

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Nashville

FAVORITE Book?
Paulo Coelho

FAVORITE MOVIES?
Breathless, Desperado, Rockstar

FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
Kiss, Rod Stewart, Lifehouse, Alicia Keys, Sia

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
Instagram

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Thomas Demand, Franz Kline, Julian Opie, Christoph Schrein

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Perfectionist

TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Play an instrument

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Work hard

IF NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Soccer Player

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Power of Flow

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