Designer Julia Marye’s signature aesthetic flows in visual rhythm, seamlessly blending sophistication with a touch of whimsy. The Savannah, Georgia native brings a tactile sensibility to her work that’s reflected in her gravitation to color, paper, textures and type. Always a hands-on designer, Marye strives to create work that evokes emotion and connects with people.
After earning a BFA in Illustration from SCAD, Marye sought to further expand her horizons. She set her sights on Atlanta, where she studied design at the Portfolio Center. A love for creative problem solving and bringing these different elements together (including her illustration background) to form solutions appropriate for clients and projects has been a key element in her artistic journey. An official Atlanta resident for nine years and counting, Marye currently works as an illustrator for Carter’s where she utilizes her multi-faceted approach to craft inviting prints for baby and children’s clothes.
We caught up with Marye to chat about the beauty of new experiences as welcome challenges, the excitement of seeing her work in the wild and discovering her latest artistic affinity for calligraphy.
CommonCreativ: How did you find your path as a designer?
Julia Marye: I’m not sure I’ve completely found my path yet—I went to school for illustration (which is what I’m currently doing at Carter’s), then went back to school for design, and am now really interested in calligraphy, so I think my path will continue to grow as I do. I tend to let my work and career go in the direction my interests take me.
CC: Could you describe your creative process?
JM: It varies depending on the project, but I usually start by making “mind maps” which help to get my ideas flowing. I create mood boards with colors, fonts, images and textures that inspire me. I try to look outside of the project realm for inspiration—I’m inspired by textiles, paper, fashion, books, interiors, blogs, travel and anything vintage. Next, I sketch, either by hand or on the computer. I usually try to work up a few different ideas before deciding on a final direction. After that is a lot of refining and pushing the work.
CC: Your style is clean and distinct, yet also warm and inviting. How did you develop your aesthetic?
JM: I think my aesthetic reflects the kind of design I’m naturally attracted to. I’m drawn to more clean and tactile designs. I think there’s a definite warmth to my work—it feels handmade but not unsophisticated or thrown together. I’m really interested in those small, human touches that help to create an experience between the product and the consumer.
CC: What have been some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on?
Julia Marye
JM: My favorite thing about the work I’ve done is that it’s all different. I find it hard to stay motivated when I’m doing the same thing all the time. I really enjoy packaging projects—I like the challenge of creating something that attracts the consumer’s diminishing attention span but also makes sense for the product. In school, I created a conceptual bridge design that I really enjoyed. It challenged me to think in a different way than I was used to—I could no longer rely on image and type in my design. I also ended up building the whole project by hand which turned into a true labor of love.
CC: You’ve worked with some big-name brands such as Carter’s, The Coca-Cola Company and OshKosh B’Gosh. How do you authentically promote yourself as an artist?
JM: I don’t have a formal website at the moment but I do have my work on a portfolio site which has definitely helped to get it noticed. I try to enter my work in competitions when I can and will often submit work to be featured on design blogs or websites I like. As far as working with some of the bigger-name brands, I find that I can still interject my personal style into a project while staying within the corporate confines.
CC: What are some of your favorite projects and who are some of your favorite artists in Atlanta?
JM: I love the calligraphy of Ashley Buzzy. I keep trying to convince myself that one day I’ll be that good. Ashley Meaders is another, she creates all sorts of beautiful, handmade props and installations for weddings and other events. Just looking at her work makes me happy! Mike Lowery draws some pretty adorable children’s illustrations. Also, the insanely talented Alvin Diec, the guy behind the branding for many of Ford Fry’s restaurants.
CC: Do you have any advice for designers who are starting out?
JM: Be flexible—don’t plan so much that you miss out on awesome opportunities around you. I never thought I’d be working at Carter’s, but the opportunity presented itself, and now I love what I’m doing.
CC: When you’re not creating, where do you spend your time in Atlanta?
JM: I try to get outside as much as possible—especially now that it’s starting to warm up. I’ll take the BeltLine to nearby bars and restaurants, do some shopping (and eating) at Ponce City Market, hang out at the park or go to festivals around town.
CC: What’s up next for you?
JM: Right now, I’m enjoying working at Carter’s, where I get to draw prints for baby and children’s clothes. I walked into Target the other day and saw some of my print designs on clothes for the first time, which was super exciting!
I’ve recently taken up calligraphy—I took my first class in August and have been hooked ever since. I’d love to eventually create custom calligraphy and stationery for weddings and other events.
You can check out more of Julia’s work on her portfolio site.
