Interview with GVP Logo Designer Neil Hubert

One of the most exciting and hands-on parts of building out the look and feel of the Green Valley Project was choosing (and helping to design) our logo. Huge shout out to our amazing logo designer, Neil Hubert (find him on Insta @designsbyneil), who was so helpful and encouraging and patient and enthusiastic that what could have felt like a big, stressful task, turned out to be super fun and really collaborative.

Neil is a senior designer at Patagonia, specializing in t-shirts that translate Patagonia’s adventurous outdoor spirit into fun and vibrant designs that you want to -- literally -- wear emblazoned across your chest.

We found Neil through Catchafire, an organization that pairs skilled creatives with nonprofit organizations, and we couldn’t recommend him more highly! 

After putting in several weeks of his time helping us brainstorm, design and lock in our beautiful logo, Neil took some more of his valuable time to answer some of our questions about his work, his philosophy and his experience working with the GVP Team.

1. How did you start working with nonprofit organizations through Catchafire, and why is it important to you to give back in that way?

When I was growing up, my parents set an example of donating resources, always trying to do the right thing, and helping others out whenever possible. I have vivid memories of driving around with my dad during the winter in Michigan and him pulling over so we could help push cars out of the snow whenever we saw someone stuck. 

So giving back in some way has always been a priority for me. When I started my career as a graphic designer, I was on the lookout for opportunities to donate my time & skill, and when I heard about Catchafire through fellow designer Geoff Holstad, and the folks at Patagonia Action Works I jumped on the platform right away. Catchafire makes the skilled volunteering process so much seamless and fruitful, in too many ways to describe here.

2. How is your work with nonprofit organizations different from working with businesses?

Honestly, the financial aspect of being a freelance designer is so hard to manage and figure out (especially if you have any humble or people-pleasing character traits – thanks midwest upbringing). Working with nonprofit orgs is oddly liberating as the transactional aspect is removed.  

3. What was your favorite part of working on the Green Valley Project logo?

Far and away it was working with the communications interns. I don't interact with very many folks of their age in my day to day, so their perspective was refreshing. Getting to know them each a bit, and having them become more and more involved throughout the process was very rewarding. They had smart and thoughtful feedback, and pushed the final mark in a great direction (that turtle "O"!).

Also, when the design brief starts with "make sure the logo looks cool enough on a t-shirt that an 18 year old would want to wear it" You know it's going to be a fun challenge.

 4. How did working with kids make this different from other projects you’ve done?

Haha, I felt like I had to draw them out a bit, and make sure they knew I wanted to hear their opinions! Normally clients are not shy at all about telling me exactly what they want or don't want.

5. Did working with GVP interns teach you anything new or give you a fresh perspective on your usual process?

Absolutely – like I said, I don't get direct feedback from folks in this age range very much (even though I do design products for them all the time at my day job making t-shirts for patagonia). So being able to collaborate and just listen was a great opportunity.

6. Is there any advice you can give to the budding designers out there, that you wish you had gotten when you were younger?

Totally!  

1) Try out lots of different kinds of design. There are so many specialties within the commercial art world, don't just settle on a career path in one facet of design since that was the first job you got. Try out animation, web / UX design, illustration, lettering, info graphics, logos etc.. 

2) Stay curious – keep learning new skills, reading new books, meeting new friends... This will help you avoid falling into a creative rut.

3) It’s OK to not have everything figured out right away. Go easy, be persistent, put one foot in front of the other.

Bonus: If you're going to try to be a freelancer, read this: https://neilhubert.com/Commandments