Q&A: JEFF GILLIGAN, KOCH RECORDS, NEW YORK CITY

After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in 1998,
Jeff Gilligan went straight to work for major fashion and
entertainment clients, record labels and corporations
such as Atlantic Records, Bad Boy Records, HBO, Sean
John, AT&T, Citibank, the American Cancer Society and
more. Currently an art director at KOCH Records,
Gilligan's first solo show of fine art is scheduled to
take place in NYC this September.

When did you realize you wanted to be a designer?
I think I've always wanted to be a designer, I just didn't
know what it was. Growing up I'd stare at record covers,
KISS posters, magazines/advertising, skateboards, etc.
and I wanted to create the art. At the same time, I had
a love of music. I figured out that I could use my artistic
talents helping bands and artists. It's been a great
balance working with music and art.

What kind of formal training do you have?
In 1998, I graduated from The School of Visual Arts
with a BFA in Graphic Design. S.V.A really gave me the
chance to get where I wanted to be in design. It was a
great experience, I hope to teach there someday.

What have you had to learn on your own?
Production, how to actually print the ideas you have.
In school it was all about creativity and ideas. I'd say
about half the day is dealing with printers/vendors,
production/sending jobs out etc. It's not just design
work to do. Luckily a few months after I graduated
I got a job at Atlantic Records. I learned very quickly.
It was like going to grad school. Also the ability to
handle clients and communicate your ideas to them.
Having the verbal skills to sell your designs. Sometimes
stubborn clients make really bad design choices, and
it's hard to peacefully talk them out of it.

What's your favorite thing(s) about your job right now?
The variety of projects. One day I can be designing a
CD cover for a jazz record, and the next week be
organizing a photo shoot for a hip hop artist. I think
I have a short attention span so I always like a new
challenge to keep me interested. With all the different
genres of music, there's always something new to work
on. I also enjoy the different aspects of art and design.
Some days I get to do some photography or illustration
work. There's even some days that I don't mind doing
some paperwork just to rest my brain a bit!

What's the best piece of advice you could offer
someone thinking about becoming a designer?
Go to medical school! Seriously, design is a great way
to make a living, but it's a lot of work. Go to school,
learn and enjoy life. Get an internship. I've worked my
way up in this industry and I feel that gave me a solid
foundation for my work ethic and design skills. I feel
paying your dues early on really help you to develop a
true sense of good design. Too many people who have
a computer and Photoshop are suddenly "designers."