Our Crater X Cambrian College Graphic Design: Nick Caswell
We’ve had the chance to talk to some of Sudbury’s finest designers who are all graduates of Cambrian College’s Graphic Design program! Each designer in this series were born in raised right here in Sudbury, and have continued to grow their careers all over the world. Today’s designer is: Nick Caswell!
Name: Nick Caswell
School and program: Cambrian College – Graphic Design
Current Location and Profession: Toronto, Ontario- Graphic Designer
First things first: do you have a favourite memory from Cambrian College?
Cambrian started hosting RGD Lateral Thinkers events in my second year of the program. There are great designers giving talks via webcast. New York based graphic designer, Paul Sahre, was a speaker one year. His work ended up being a big inspiration for me down the road, so that’s a pretty great memory from my time there.
Why should other budding designers attend the school’s art and design programs?
The program is well curated and gets more and more refined each year. Ron Beltrame is a terrific coordinator and talent, and I always looked forward to his classes. The staff were all helpful, approachable people that can really fuel your excitement if you take advantage of your time there.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a designer?
Well, growing up I was constantly drawing. I’d get my hands on all kinds of magazines and comic books, and replicate the illustrations in them. I majored in fine arts through high school and was drawn to covers of albums I was listening to and that sort of thing, but didn’t have much insight as to who made these sorts of things, and what that world was all about. Around that time a friend of mine was working on a website and some illustrations for a local band and it started to click. At that point I kind of put it together and realized that was what I was looking for.
Graphic design is all about creativity and innovation; what do you feel makes your work stand out? What is unique about your style?
I can’t say I’m consciously aiming to develop a unique style, but I think that’s something that can start to happen over time as you start to compile a set of tools that you find yourself coming back to in solving different kinds of design problems. Eventually those consistencies start to become present in your work. People I’ve worked with have said they can spot my work, so I think overtime these patterns in my work start to show.
Where do you draw inspiration for your work?
I think reading a lot about design, past and present, is important in fuelling inspiration. Certain styles and attitudes resonate with me, and ultimately inspire my work. On a more abstract note, the most unrelated forms in everyday life can sometimes trigger a solution for a project’s problem circulating in your head.
Tell us about a favourite project or piece that you have created!
I worked with Sudbury based design firm Bureau on an identity for the Centre for Evolutionary Ecology and Ethical Conservation (CEEEC) a couple of years ago. CEEC is made up of some impressive people doing interesting, important work. We were all really happy with the end result, which went on to be a finalist at the Design Edge Canada Redgee Awards.
Where do you currently design, and do you have any upcoming projects that you are looking forward to?
I’m currently living in Toronto, working at the Toronto office of design firm Huge, and always have some freelance projects on the go. I recently started working with a local not-for-profit organization called Sistema, who provide free after-school music programs for children. They’ve been great to work with and it’s always nice to help develop a brand for something that resonates with you and is a big boost for the community.
Where can we stay up to date on your work and check out more of your designs?
Portfolio: nickcaswell.com
Behance: https://www.behance.net/nickcaswell
Adriana Nicolucci
Adriana Nicolucci is a Communications and Film Production graduate, fashion enthusiast, and patterned sock collector. She’s often spotted munching on the Eenie Meenie Grilled Zucchini Pizza at the Buddha. Danny Ocean is her spirit animal, except she’s planning a heist to steal your hearts (not a casino)
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