Man in the Violet Suit, Jon Key

BFA Communication Design faculty Jon(athan) Key is an art director, designer, and writer. His collaborations have lead him to work with a diverse set of clients and institutions as designer, educator, and artist including HBO, Nickelodeon, IDEO, Grey Advertising, The Public Theater, MICA, American University in Beirut, Parsons and the Whitney Museum. His creative pursuits have allowed his work to be featured internationally in galleries, museums and collections in Boston, Toronto, NYC, London, and Ljubjana, Slovenia. He currently serves as a contributing art director to The Tenth Magazine a Black, queer arts and culture magazine and is the co-founder of Morcos Key, a Brooklyn based design studio with his partner Wael Morcos. He teaches Topics: Advertising at Parsons School of Design.

Slay Logo Animation, Jon Key

Jon is a co-founder and the design director of Codify Art, a Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist collective whose mission is to create, produce, and showcase work that foregrounds the voices of people of color, highlighting women and queer people of color. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where he received a Bachelors of Fine Art in Graphic Design.

The Tenth Magazine, Jon Key

How did you get into design? Was there a defining point in your career, and if so, how did it shape you as a designer?
I got into design when I was 10 years old because my mom gave me an HTML book (given to her by one of co-workers who thought I would like it). This is when I learned the power and FUN of visual language and how to create experiences for people to interact and share stories. Later while in high school, I discovered the word/industry “graphic design” and realized it encompassed everything I loved to create. Up until then I didn’t realize GD was real job or career path.

The Tenth Magazine, Jon Key

Outside of other design and illustration, what sorts of things inspire and influence your work?
I am also inspired by my community around me. So much of my time and energy is spent engaging with and developing events for the QTPOC community.

What tips would you give to anybody who is looking to get started in design?
Just keep making and making! Also surround yourself with friends and mentors who you bounce ideas off of and get support when needed.