Print magazine’s New Visual Artists Issue recognizes rising talent in the industry and is an opportunity to showcase exceptional work from these stars—all under the age of 30. This is not a competition. It’s a carefully curated selection fueled by nominations from industry pros—art directors, designers, critics and industry professionals—and thus it is an exciting representation of the future of design.
Below, you’ll find a selection of past NVA winners who went on to become some of the best visual artists out there today. Take a look and consider whether you know any young artists doing innovative work who deserve a nomination.
(This year’s deadline for NVA nominations is September 19, 2014.)
2011 NVA Jessica Walsh
Guest art directors for Print magazine’s 2011 New Visual Artists Issue, Michael Worthington and Yasmin Khan of Counterspace, decided to break down 2011’s group of artists into five separate style categories. Walsh was among those classified as self-initiators/critical practitioners and was called out for her meticulous craft.
Since being chosen as an NVA in 2011, Walsh has become a partner at Sagmeister & Walsh and continues to produce stunning work.
2011 work by Walsh: Show, RISD XYZ. Jessica Walsh, illustration and photography; Criswell Lappin, art director
Recent work: New York Festivals Trophy. Stefan Sagmeister, creative director; Jessica Walsh, art director/designer; Lorenzo Fanton, researcher; Ladies & Gentleman, promotional video and 3D rendering; Zak Mulligan, director of photography
New York Festivals Trophy. Stefan Sagmeister, creative director; Jessica Walsh, art director/designer; Lorenzo Fanton, researcher; Ladies & Gentleman, promotional video and 3D rendering; Zak Mulligan, director of photography
New York Festivals Trophy. Stefan Sagmeister, creative director; Jessica Walsh, art director/designer; Lorenzo Fanton, researcher; Ladies & Gentleman, promotional video and 3D rendering; Zak Mulligan, director of photography
2010 NVA Frank Chimero
Since being chosen as an NVA in 2010, Chimero has gone on to publish The Shape of Design, a design theory overview that focuses on storytelling, craft and interdependencyinstead of typography, grids or software.
“There’s almost no remnants of the career I had when I was selected an NVA. Most of the work in Print was editorial illustration with a few illustrative personal projects,” Chimero says. “I now work as a designer on editorial and web projects, while maintaining a large helping of publication-based personal work.”
Early work from Frank Chimero: Illustrations for “Manifest Hope,” an exhibition at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Recent work from Frank Chimero
Recent work from Frank Chimero
Recent work from Frank Chimero
Recent work from Frank Chimero
2010 NVA Always With Honor
Tyler Lang and Elsa Lang of Always With Honor (and dog Waldo) on a recent trip to Lava Lands National Park in Bend
Elsa and Tyler Lang of Always With Honor were NVA winners in 2010 during the first year of their studio’s launch; unsurprisingly, they’ve undergone many changes since then. “We’ve grown more comfortable and confident as a studio, more willing to hold out for projects that fit our interests and desires. Understanding that it’s those projects that bring out the best in us and our work,” the duo says.
Whereas they used to work mostly in editorial, they’re now exploring web, environmental, icon, branding, packaging and type design, in addition to teaching and holding ICONAUT icon-building workshops.
“We’re extremely thankful for the success we’ve had and the amazing clients we get to work with. (Our art college selves would surely be pinching us!)” the team says. “But we know how important it is to never get too comfortable, remain curious—never stop exploring.”
Early work from Always With Honor: Illustration for Monocle, Issue 25, 2009. Ken Leung, art director
Recent work from Always With Honor: A mark for Nike’s LeBron Elite XI packaging
2010 NVA Mikey Burton
Mikey Burton says that being chosen as an NVA in 2010 made him take himself a bit more seriously—and ultimately helped to give him the boost in confidence he needed to go out on his own.
“The same year I received my NVA, I was also named an ACD Young Gun, and both accolades put me in front of a lot of art directors that normally wouldn’t see my work,” Burton says. “At the time, I was at an agency and was strongly considering going out on my own. The main problem was I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.
“After receiving both of these awards I started getting more and more freelance work, and by the time 2011 rolled around I had to pick between staying at the agency or wandering into the wilds of freelance. Although I wasn’t ready (mentally, physically or financially for that matter), I took the leap and to my surprise started getting a lot of work. Almost four years later, I’m still freelancing and I’m very fulfilled with the work. I’m not planning on buying a yacht or anything, but I’m making a living on my own and getting to pick and choose my clients.”
Early work from Mikey Burton: “New Covers for Old Books” thesis project
Recent work from Mikey Burton
Recent work from Mikey Burton
Recent work from Mikey Burton
Recent work from Mikey Burton
2009 NVA Timothy Goodman
Photo by Bryan Dale
Early work from Goodman: Cover of Translucent Tree. Vertical Press, publisher; Timothy Goodman, designer; John Fulbrook, designer; Mark Stutzman, illustrator
Having previously worked at both Collins and Apple Inc., Timothy Goodman now runs his own studio and works on murals, installations, books, book jackets, logos and editorial illustrations for clients such as Airbnb, Ford, Google and The New Yorker.
“I also devote a significant amount of my time to personal projects that we author, curate and design,” Goodman says. In addition, he teaches at SVA and regularly speaks about his work.
Recent work: Jacket design for John Darnielle’s new book. Timothy Goodman, designer; Rodrigo Corral for FSG, art director
Recent work from Timothy Goodman; Co: Neon installation
Recent work from Timothy Goodman for Ace Hotel
Recent work from Timothy Goodman for Ace Hotel
Recent work from Timothy Goodman for Women’s Health
Last year’s New Visual Artists issue from Print Magazine features the top “20 Under 30”
visual artists and opens a window into the portfolios and minds of these emerging designers, illustrators and photographers. Also in this issue, find out what thought leadership means for designers, learn about the challenges in creating must-read lists, and more.