SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
GAUGER + ASSOCIATES, SAN FRANCISCO CA
After receiving a degree in graphic design from San Jose State University, Lori Murphy began her career as a designer and head preparator at the San Jose Museum of Art. From there, she moved to San Francisco to became part of the creative team at Gauger + Associates. Lori has developed branding and identity systems, packaging, collateral materials, environmental graphics, websites, print, and online advertising for a broad range of clients, mostly within the natural food and building industries. She has received numerous industry awards, including Graphis, AIGA, GDUSA, Print, and The National Awards. Lori is a visual thinker and passionate about developing a unique visual language for each of her clients. Her secret strength is that she is nimble in both graphic design and fine art. Along the way, Murphy earned an MFA in sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute. When she isn’t working at her day, She is a practicing fine artist and has shown her work in museums and galleries.
THE FUTURE OF THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS?
I started in this business back in the days of traditional hand methods … before the digital revolution when print was king. Now everything is different. Today, graphic designers are called to work in an ever-changing environment where new tools and skills are continuously being introduced. The internet and digital marketing, combined with good content and user experience, has brought to the table something print never could; invaluable data from every user interaction. This is the new landscape but one thing is still the same — the need for bright, dedicated designers with innovative ideas, a passion for the creative process, and the desire to do great work. Good design has never mattered more.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
San Francisco, still live and work there, it’s home
A DESIGN HERO?
Paula Scher
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
Instagram
FAVORITE TELEVISION BINGE WATCH?
I don’t watch much tv, however, I have recently re-watched Mad Men, Peggy Olson captured my heart
FAVORITE PODCAST?
City Arts & Lectures, NPR
FAVORITE BOOK?
Collected Stories of Wallace Stegner, Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott
FAVORITE MOVIE?
The Red Balloon, Duel, My Neighbor Totoro, Edward Scissorhands
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Ross Bleckner, Punk Junko Oki, Barry McGee, Margaret Kilgallen, Heather Wilcoxon, Meg Hitchcock, Mark Bradford, Lisa Kokin …
FAVORITE CAUSE/CHARITY?
I was the volunteer art teacher for my daughter’s grade school class for eight years. With powerful imaginations, kids are natural innovators.
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Walking the streets of San Francisco, making art out of everyday materials, doing street murals on my favorite wall
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER?
A full-time fine artist
