This is the third year we’ve run our New Visual Artists: 15 under 30 issue. What was once a highly edited list of 20 of the best and brightest young designers is now a deeper exploration of 15 of the most original talents working in visual communications today.
This issue of Print comes at an interesting time. This new group of designers, while undeniably adroit, is part of a generation fully proficient in the art of self-promotion in a digital age. Getting the word out about one’s work is now de rigueur. But at a time when new work is relentlessly blasted out on platforms where seemingly everyone in the room is shouting, is it really possible to break through the volume of voices all vying to captivate and capture attention? Moreover, in the Insta-culture of the early 21st century, how does one navigate through the metadata to find the meteoric? As in years past, that’s exactly what we’ve sought to do here. We’ve gone in quest of craft and cunning ideas and ideals. We’ve looked for substance and style and star-power. The list of Print’s New Visual Artists has become a who’s who of the industry’s leaders, and includes Scott Dadich, Eddie Opara, Alan Dye, Jessica Walsh, Jessica Hische, Frank Chimero and, more recently, Zipeng Zhu, Joe Hollier and Joey Cofone. This year’s 15 New Visual Artists are bold in name and in voice, and are bravely making new work in a new world.
“This piece speaks to the variety of disciplines that fall within the realm of art.”
Meet New Visual Artist Amber Vittoria
Age: 27.
From: Carmel, NY.
Current city: New York City.
Education: Boston University; BFA, graphic design.
Earliest creative memory: It was second grade, and we were drawing our self-portraits with crayon. The boy across from me stated, “Why do you make the arms and legs so long? That is wrong, you know.” I looked down at my masterpiece and back up at him and said, “That is how I see myself.”
Path that led you to design: It was the only path I felt OK with failing on.
Career thus far, in a nutshell: Unsolicited emails and a prayer for a response.
Current place of work: Freelance illustrator.
The key to good design: Putting yourself into the work (shout out to James Victore for teaching me that one).
Motto/design philosophy: Keep making.
Work of which you’re most proud: “Plant Goals,” as it was the first piece I allowed myself to put out there in the style I was most afraid of sharing for years.
Biggest influence: My brother.
How you would classify your style: Contemporary. Heavily inspired by modern events and perspectives on women, my pieces focus on femininity and the female form, leveraging physical traits such as body hair, overtly extended limbs and rounded features.
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Design hero: James Victore.
Favorite artist: Jenny Saville.
Favorite typographer: Jessica Hische.
Favorite writer: Miranda July.
Cause that means the most to you: Pushing intersectional feminism forward.
Biggest fear: Death.
What you want to accomplish before all is said and done: Run another marathon (preferably Boston, and while not nursing an injury).
Your idea of happiness: Content.
The future of design is: Social.
Website: ambervittoria.com
