Q&A with Denver Graphic Designer, Adrian Volz.

Denver Graphic Designer, Adrian Volz, has always considered himself to be an artist and creative thinker. He was born with an eye for artistic and design appreciation. Because graphic design just seemed like a natural fit, Adrian entered a ski pass cover contest in 5th grade. With such great feedback, it was recommended he look into a career as a graphic designer. He has since developed a “graphic” style with illustration work and typography. When college came around, he aspired to look into a career that implemented graphic art, color, typography, structure and theory, and chose to further study graphic design at Pratt Institute. I caught up with Adrian to learn more.

A: Artists, designers, and architects take pride in their individual aesthetic preferences and artistic processes. Perhaps my greatest strength is my aspiration to become a “total designer.” I admire every form of visual art and seek to utilize a variety of media. My architectural background has instilled in me a unique sensitivity to scale, line, and design. Drawing, painting and printmaking are part of my daily routine. A good balance of computer and hand-generated techniques is critical in order to understand art’s present and future potential as a means of communication. A “total designer” recognizes his or her role in society and must be intimately acquainted with the times in order to visualize them accurately.

Q: What project are you most proud of?

A: The Daily Poster Project has been my most demanding design challenge. It tested my creativity and endurance as a designer. Last year, I worked for an architecture firm in San Francisco and benefited from the city’s ever-changing inspiration. The series received national recognition from ‘The Denver Egotist’ and ‘HOW Magazine.’

Q: What is the biggest challenge in the business? And biggest reward?

A: Graphic design is a challenging field for many reasons: it is detail-oriented, fast-paced, and requires the designer’s ability to translate a client’s communication needs into pictures. Due to the consequences of the Internet age, graphic design’s role in society has increased. Distinguishing oneself from the crowd is one of the most challenging aspects for graphic designers of today. When you dare to do something different in the design world, you receive a profound sense of satisfaction.

Q: What do you most love about Colorado?

A: I grew up in Denver, Colorado and have always felt an affinity for the place. There is so much to do and see. It is also an ideal base for an artist or designer because of the surrounding natural beauty. The landscape is a mesmerizing zone of contrasts: light and shadow, trees, mountains, grasses, and wildlife. Furthermore, Denver and Boulder’s art and design scene has really taken off over the past decade due to the many museums, galleries, and design districts.

Q: What is something readers would be surprised to know about you or your business?

A: One factor that makes my work unique is my preference for a monochrome black-and-white palette. However, as a “total designer” I challenge myself to explore new combinations. I enjoy experimenting with color and making it central to select projects, like my Daily Poster Project. I love jazz music and play the saxophone and piano. I am just as experimental with music as I am with visual art. Some say that I can even pass for Sinatra!