Yaritsa is a talented graphic designer currently living in New York City. She runs PixieGirl Designs which specializes in packaging design, corporate identity and web design. Check out our 20 question interview with her below.

1. What is your hometown/nationality?
Originally from Fajardo, PR but currently living in NY

2. What are your favorite color combinations?
I’m really starting to love brown and teal together. I haven’t designed anything with this combo yet, but I plan to soon. I also really like lime green and reflex blue.

3. What languages do you speak?
English, Spanish and some French

4. What gets you inspired?
Inspiration is a strange little thing. You can be inspired by a leaf you found in the park or a dream you had or something a friend said. You can be inspired by something really beautiful that makes you want to create something similar or something really ugly that makes you want to make it better. It can be elusive when you’re looking for it and everywhere when you’re not. I’m generally most inspired by people who speak about what inspires them. That passion people have about their own projects makes me want to create my own.

5. How long have you been designing?
Growing up I was always interested in art in one manner or other, but it wasn’t until college that I was truly able to narrow my focus down to graphic design. This was about 11 years ago and I’ve been designing professionally for about 8.

6. What has been your biggest achievement so far?
I’ve always been proud that I’ve been able to do what I set myself to. When I was in high school in Puerto Rico, I knew I would come to the states for college and I always knew that I’d be able to get a job right out of college. In fact, I was already working part-time before I even graduated. I’ve been at my current job for a long time and have been able to grow to new levels quite quickly. I really feel my input is heard and appreciated and that’s always a great feeling. I also love that even with a full-time job I’ve had the opportunity create a business for myself, PixieGirl Designs, where I can take on projects that I have personal interest in.

7. What software or tools could you not live without?
Photoshop, Illustrator and DreamWeaver are the apps I use most, but there’s still much to be said about a plain ol’ pen and paper…

8. If you had 3 wishes, what would you ask for?
I know this is probably cliché but if I could wish the environment into better shape, that would be great! Imagine clear skies, clean water and green grass. I would also wish for people with integrity to be in power, rather than those who bribe most people. We have the power to make things better, but those in power seem to only want to look out for themselves. And on a more “selfish” level, I would wish to have the money to travel anywhere and often.

9. What did you make when you were a kid?
When I was little I used to love making little houses out of shoe boxes. I also went through a phase where I was fascinated by little foods. I would make cakes out of soda bottle caps and little treats with clay. I even made an entire Thanksgiving meal one day! Good times…

10. What three things could you not live without?
A book/magazine, my computer and comfortable shoes.

11. What do you do when you hit a creative block?
I go online and see what’s new in the design world.

12. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Telekinesis would be awesome! Although I think it might make me lazy…

13. What are three favorite quotes of yours?
That which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful. (I heard this one somewhere but I can’t remember where)
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. – John Lennon
This is my life and it is too short to design crap – Stephen Gates

14. What is your dream project or client?
Of course it’s always great to have a client with a big budget, but I think the clients that I enjoy working with most are those who really want and appreciate your help and input. Clients with startups where you can help them build or expand their brand or clients with projects with goals to better the world. That’s why it’s great to be able to work with non-profist or cause-based work. I love to feel that my design has had some impact in the world and not just my pocket.

15. Currently, what are your three favorite websites?
This is a hard one to answer because I have a new favorite site practically every week. As of today, these are my overall cool sites:
www.xerpi.com – helps me keep all my bookmarks in order, and accessible from anyplace with an internet connection
www.amazon.com – I’m always checking out the latest books online
www.logopond.com – they have really awesome logo designs, great when you need a bit of inspiration

16. What role do you think the designer has in society today?
Honestly, I think a lot of designers are undervalued. Think about it, a designer can make your product standout over a similar one on the shelf below or above it. A designer can take your presentation from ordinary to inspirational. Designers can bring extra traffic to your website by making it more appealing to your audience. However, if you consider how much designers do for branding and product sales, people are still more concerned with picking the lowest bid over talent or expertise. Designers have such a unique role in society because what they do for a living impacts what people pay attention to and what they overlook. There are so many designers out there that want to do good and want to  expand people’s views but are limited by what a client can spend on.

I’m currently working on a side project geared to non-profits that can’t afford graphic and web design services which will provide free or low-budget design. This is something that designers can contribute to society, they can help out those people who are trying to do good by getting them the exposure that they deserve and need. I think it’s great when designers can donate their time for a cause, and seeing others do this has inspired me to do the same.

17. What are your pet peeves in design?
Super condensed fonts. I’m not necessarily a font purist, I do condense fonts where needed, but I really don’t like seeing fonts that look squished together and start running into one another. I’m also not fond of effects for the sake of effects, traps upon traps upon traps bore me.

18. If not working in design, what would you be doing?
I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately, but honestly I don’t know! I really do love design and although I’m sure I would be doing something art related, I think graphic design would really be what brings me most joy.

19. Can you tell us a random fact about yourself?
If not for it sounding too much like my mother’s name, I would have been named Audrey.

20. Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring designers?
My design professor in college always stressed how important meeting deadlines was in the real world. I’ve always been a timely person, but it wasn’t until I had my first job that I realized exactly how important this is. People depend on you to get things delivered, and of course some people’s deadlines are more flexible than others, but meeting them makes you really dependable and trustworthy. You can create the most beautiful concert poster known to mankind, but if it doesn’t get printed until after the event, no one will have seen it! You wouldn’t want to miss out on a next project because your client can’t trust you to get it done in time, even if they know it will be beautifully designed.

To learn more about Yaritsa or view her design portfolio, please visit: http://pixiegirldesigns.com

Posted by Jessica Perilla  /  Filed under Design Interviews  /  Comments: 0