5 Rising Graphic Designers and What Sets Them Apart

In the graphic design industry, trends and techniques continue to change very quickly. Professionals need to follow the latest developments and adapt with time. To make a name in this field and build an impressive portfolio, it’s important for graphic designers to create logos, images, or illustrations that can last for years. Over the years, many people have managed to stand out in the industry with their work in logo design and brand building.

Graphic designers such as Paul Rand, Milton Glaser, and Carolyn Davidson established themselves as icons and are still remembered for their creativity in design and unique styles. Rand, for example, has worked with corporations like IBM and designed the logo for UPS. His work has been an inspiration for designers throughout the post-modern era. Similarly, there are quite a few professionals who have continued to experiment with various graphic elements such as icons, colors, typography, and text to produce timeless designs.

Today, with new tools and technology, graphic designers have more freedom to express their creativity and manipulate shapes, symbols, or lines. As the graphic design industry continues to change, new and talented designers are emerging and making their mark on the field. These rising designers bring fresh perspectives and innovation to their work, and they are helping to shape the future of graphic design.

Let’s take a closer look at five rising graphic designers who are making waves in the industry and explore what sets them apart from their peers.

1. Becca Clason

Becca Clason is a rising star in the world of graphic design. With a bold and colorful style, she has quickly made a name for herself in the industry. One of the things that set Becca apart is her use of negative space in her designs. She is known for creating striking contrast and visual balance with the use of ample space around different elements.

In addition to her design skills, Becca has also built a strong social media presence, particularly on Instagram. She frequently shares her work and provides insights into her design process, which has helped to build a loyal following. Becca has worked with several well-known brands, including Nike, Target, and Airbnb, and her work has been featured in various design publications. Clason is also recognized as a lettering designer and animator who has collaborated with Dunkin and Starbucks.

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2. Olimpia Zagnoli

Olimpia Zagnoli is a graphic designer and illustrator with a playful and quirky style. She is known for her use of geometric shapes and bright, bold colors, which give her work a unique and eye-catching quality. Olimpia has a diverse client list, including fashion brands like Prada and Dior, publications, and even a perfume company.

One of the things that set Olimpia apart is her ability to adapt her style to fit the needs of each project. Whether she’s creating illustrations for a fashion campaign or designing a book cover, she can bring a fresh and creative approach to every project. Olimpia has also received numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Italian design award.

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3. Tim Lahan

Based in San Francisco, California, Tim Lahan is an illustrator and designer who is known for his clever, quirky, and sometimes humorous illustrations. He has worked with a wide range of clients, from independent magazines and small startups to major brands like Google. Lahan’s work has been featured in publications like The New Yorker, Forbes, and Fast Company. What sets him apart is his ability to create illustrations that are not only visually appealing but also get people thinking and stay in memory for a long time.

Lahan is also a digital artist who works with different mediums that include paint and self-publishing. His unique hand-drawn style instantly catches the eye of the viewer and makes him stand out in the field of design as well. In an interview with Wrap Magazine, Lahan stated that he creates the design ‘by hand, by hand, with gouache paint on paper.’ Lahan’s experimental techniques have allowed him to highlight political and social themes in his work too.

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4. Sara Wong

Sara is a graphic designer based in Maryland, Baltimore, who is known for her bold, colorful, and often abstract designs. What sets her apart is her ability to take complex ideas and concepts and transform them into simple, elegant visual forms. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from startups to major brands, and her work has been featured in publications like Fast Company, Forbes, and The New York Times. Wong’s illustrations and artworks make her shine in the highly competitive industry of graphic design.

Over the last two years, Sara Wong has diversified her portfolio with art direction. Currently, she is involved with Meta as well. Another factor that sets her apart from others in the field is the use of emotions to connect with the viewers. Her illustrative designs can make a strong impact on the audience and have them thinking about it later on. Wong also uses a mix of dark and muted colors to draw focus to her message in the design. The psychology of color in graphic design is very important and influences Sara Wong’s work heavily.

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5. Dana Tanamachi

Dana Tanamachi is a graphic designer and illustrator who is known for her creative lettering and artistic influences in illustrations. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from small startups to major brands like Google and Nike. Tamachi gained recognition for her custom typography and chalk lettering which brought the attention of various clients. What sets her apart is her ability to create work that is both visually striking and emotionally impactful.

Tanamachi’s expertise is in lettering design, typography, and illustrations. She now has her own studio, Tamachi Studio, and works with a range of clients on branding campaigns and packaging as well. One other factor that set her apart includes the use of natural elements in illustrations. Tanamachi also stands out for her approach to design which she highlighted in a feature for Adobe Creative Cloud. She stated that her process is ‘quiet and pretty solitary’ and she likes to mainly ‘work with her hands’. Tamachi also draws inspiration from her family and her Japanese-American roots.

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Wrapping Up

These are some rising graphic designers that are making a positive impact in their field. Their unique and innovative styles set them apart from the others. Most of the professionals mentioned here have worked with big corporations or organizations on different campaigns for building brand recognition. They have impressive portfolios that feature a range of work including brand identity designs, product packaging, and social media artwork.