David Wise, currently based in Aspen (CO), had his BFA in Painting and Digital Media at the University of Kentucky. Despite this he discovered fairly late his passion for graphic design. He was initially fascinated by the complementary disciplines that the graphic design world shares with architecture and fine arts, so he spent his senior year taking as much corse as he could to refine his knowledge about it, so to build his portfolio to present to the Cranbrook University, where he then had his MFA in Fine arts.
His work is now known for a yet harmonic mixture of texture, typography and imagery to create compelling and at times chaotic compositions.
He ensures that this is not for him a stylistic choice, rather an extension of his methodology and approach. We could say he is totally into exploring the multiple dispositions of text, to notice how it is edited or laid out on the page to finally create an unexpected message.
As for sources of inspiration, David mentions Assembling. Published in the 1970s, Assembling invited contributors to submit whatever they wanted, without limits to production method or content, only that they had to submit 1000 copies at US letter size. This focus on making, as opposed to the outcome, can be seen in David’s own working process. Other methods of production see the designer passing content multiple times through a printer or hacking laser-jet and Risographs. This enables him to explore how he can develop the surface of his work through a process that is typically seen as flat, creating “procedural residue” such as creases or excess toner.
Many of the projects posted to David’s Instagram are self-initiated or personal projects made in close collaboration with Daniel Kent and Clint Soren who he met while working as a designer at Urban Outfitters.
To view more of his work check is Instagram page.
