MANILA, Philippines - For a recent college grad, 21-year-old Kasey Albano sure has a lot of accomplishments under her belt. A member of design studio Create.ph, which is composed of the most dynamic young graphic designers and illustrators in the country, Kasey’s signature is her cute, retro-vintage feel. Here, she shares her various influences and her particular inspiration for the YStyle logo.
When you hear “YStyle,” what kind of images or ideas does your mind conjure?
Originality, individuality, and the willingness to push boundaries.
What was your concept for the new YStyle logo?
It’s my love letter to the rainy weather. It may be dreary outside, but I’m happiest when it rains!
Were you listening to music while you were designing it? What song? On purpose or on shuffle?
Yes, I always have music on while I work to get those creative juices flowing! My current playlist features Yuck, Beach House, The National, The Drums, and The Shins.
Who/what inspires your art?
Music, travel, French New Wave, and retro-vintage colors. I also really love looking through mid-20th century design. Saul Bass is a golden god!
Who/what inspires your personal fashion sense?
I listen to way too much Tegan & Sara for my own good, and I think I might’ve subconsciously picked up on some of their wardrobe choices. I’ve learned from Sara Quin that you can never have enough leather boots, skinny jeans, and cropped sweaters.
It’s the second half of the year –– how did you spend the first half?
I did a bit of traveling around Asia and went to my first international music festival. I’ve designed websites, illustrated for a bunch of magazines, steered the brand identity of a couple of start-ups, and worked with wonderful clients from the United States, Singapore, and Australia. I’ve also participated in my first art show in Los Angeles –– hopefully there’ll be many more to come!
What upcoming projects do you have for the next half and beyond?
I wish I could delve further, but the rest of 2012 is definitely going to be filled with some interesting projects. I’ve got some big plans brewing for the year after: more extensive travel, more personal projects, and maybe some post-graduate studies, too. As for the design studio I share (Create.ph), some of us will be speaking at Graphika Manila this August –– definitely stoked about that!