OWNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, 80EAST DESIGN, POUGHKEEPSIE NY
Trevor Messersmith is an award-winning photographer and graphic designer based in New York’s Hudson Valley. Trevor provides creative direction and visual services to a wide variety of online and print projects through 80east Design, a studio he started in 2002 in NYC. His work been featured in AIGA’s New York State of Design 2017, Print Magazine’s Typography and Lettering Awards and Regional Design Annual, the International Design Awards, and Creative Quarterly. Among other venues, Trevor’s work has been exhibited at the California Museum of Photography, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, the Morean Arts Center, the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, and SCOPE Miami. Publications include “Double Apollo,” “Objectives,” and “Fauxlaroids.”
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Kent OH. I currently live in Poughkeepsie NY.
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I studied Photography at Bard College and did additional design coursework at RISD.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Morning person
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Dorothy Zbornak
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Does impersonating Ethel Merman count?
FAVORITE BOOK?
Currently, Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Female Trouble
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Schitt’s Creek
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram
FAVORITE PODCAST?
Serial
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Jean Cocteau
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
ASPCA
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Reading
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Books, photography, vintage cameras
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
For my design practice, print.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Paula Scher
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Speed – it cuts both ways.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Say yes to everything.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Voice actor
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Discipline Is Liberation”
