Raven Mo
How Chicago's creative scene shaped identity designer Raven Mo
Typography and logotype designer Raven Mo has Chicago to thank for the designer she is today; the city's grassroots spirit and community shaped her practice and sensibility more than any program or course could. People have led the way for Raven: "Everything I learned was shaped by someone who came before me," she explains. Below, Raven shares her tips for leading a career with agency and intentionality.
About my work
My creative practice
I'm a designer who builds enduring identity systems for evolving brands through a type-driven process. Typography and logotype design are my specialties. I believe that the careful use and manipulation of type brings clarity and staying power to a brand.
Influences and inspiration
Chicago shaped my core belief in how I carry myself in this industry; its grassroots spirit and welcoming community showed me kindness at a time when I knew little about who I was or where I wanted to be. I think about the lake often.
My training
I have a BFA and MFA in graphic design, but I'd attribute most of my formation to being immersed in Chicago's design scene early on and learning from the generous people there. Having a foundation from an acclaimed institution was a privilege, but it was the time I spent around people I looked up to that I return to most when I think about my student years.
My working relationships, my community, my heritage and my city shaped who I am. Everything I learned was shaped by someone who came before me.
Favourite recent project
I got to design the identity for Millburn Deli, a local sandwich institution in Millburn, New Jersey. Rich and Andrew, the owners, gave us tremendous trust and creative freedom, which meant I got to experiment with typefaces designed by some of my role models. Designing for a local business that carries history and personal memories is always an honor.
A day in the life
My ideal day and my actual day are very different things. Ideally: I read on the train to the office, stay locked in through the workday, go for a run to reset and come home tired but satisfied. The reality: I fall asleep on the train, work through lunch at my desk, listen to some gossip podcast on the run and come home tired with little memory of what I actually did. The ratio is about 1:2 at the moment.
A starter pack for my job:
These slimes and their respective promotional materials are the most addictive yet stress-relieving substances. Being an adult means I know how to play with extremely messy toys: I am simultaneously my own parent and child.
Identity for Good Egg, an independent worker cooperative
How I got here
Starting my creative journey
I was a very "sweaty" student (gaming slang meaning overachievers to the point of exhaustion). The art school I attended was expensive for most families, so getting to go felt like an obligation I owed to everyone who made it possible. I was always intellectually hungry, doing the most for every class and not leaving much room to feel anything. With the unwavering support of dear friends and family, an earth-shattering realization that I was not well and an adjustment of immigration status, I eventually found my footing.
“It's also okay to feel defeated, as long as you keep going.”
Landing my first few jobs, clients and/or commissions
I found my first full-time job on Working Not Working (RIP). What I found most useful during that search was staying sincere, open-minded and humble. What a job offers in reality is almost always different from what you imagined going in. It's also okay to feel defeated, as long as you keep going.
Biggest challenges along the way
I don’t really rank my challenges, but I notice the hardest ones are often the new ones. The first job hunt, the first client, the first time opening unfamiliar software — new experiences are daunting by nature. Every challenge can feel impossible the first time, but it gets better as you get stronger.
Everyday skills I’ve found helpful for my creative work:
Developing a discerning eye and the discipline to practice regularly.
My social media and self-promotion vibe is…
Honestly, I find social media exhausting, but you don’t need to know that! That aside, I have been putting more care into my captions lately. A well-written, direct caption does a lot of work in giving context to the visual. I've found that's often more effective than the image alone.
Three things I've found useful in my career:
- Library appointments: Librarians are among a designer's best resources, alongside lawyers and accountants. Seeing design artifacts in person is always better than seeing them on a screen.
- Running shoes: I find that design is a more interpersonal job than most people expect. Running or walking gives you space to step away from the work and reflect on the collaboration and the output.
- New England cemeteries: tactile, dimensional and where I'm completely at home in nature. Free.
My greatest learnings when it comes to making money and supporting myself as a creative:
Invest in your career intentionally: take classes, go to conferences and use those opportunities to build lasting working relationships.
“Especially now, when taking direction from AI feels so frictionless, it's worth staying alert to your own decision-making and agency.”
Advice
My most useful career tips
No matter what advice you receive, you have the final say in acting on it. You carry the consequences either way. Especially now, when taking direction from AI feels so frictionless, it's worth staying alert to your own decision-making and agency.
What's popular is not always what's right or good. Use your own judgment carefully.
Where I go to feel connected as a creative
My neighborhood, Bensonhurst. Green-Wood Cemetery. The Art Institute of Chicago. The Chinese bakery a block from my apartment. And my office – I LOVE going to the office.
What I'd say to someone looking to get into a similar role
Reach out to people you respect with questions that are specific and personal. You can also reach out to me!