Communication Design faculty, Greg Foley is a designer, author and illustrator. He is a contributing cover artist for The New Yorker, and the author of nine illustrated children’s books. He’s one of the founding members of Visionaire, V Magazine and VFiles. His latest book COOL: Style, Sound, and Subversion was recently published by Rizzoli. He has received Art Directors Club Gold and Silver awards, and was nominated for a Grammy for best album cover design for Pet Shop Boys Release. He received his BA from the Rhode Island School of Design. He teaches Publication Design at Parsons. 

COOL: Style, Sound, and Subversion (Rizzoli) by Greg Foley and Andrew Luecke features streamable playlists on Apple Music. For more visit coolthebook.com and @coolthebook on Instagram

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 guess I just fell into it because I’ve been a compulsive tinkerer ever since I was a kid. Thankfully, I’ve had the opportunity to work with people through internships and collaborations to learn new ways of doing things. While I was a student at RISD, I interned at the original Details magazine and became part of a family of friends and creatives that led me from Barcelona to London and Paris working with designers and image makers that ended up shaping contemporary culture.

The New Yorker featured Greg Foley’s artwork on the cover of the style issue, September 2015

Outside of other design and illustration, what sorts of things inspire and influence your work?

Stuff I experience in my daily life. New technologies and natural forces like light and shadow, temperature and the elements, plants, animals, different raw materials, music from all eras, and occasionally performance arts. But really I’m interested in the stories that time creates with any of these things.

Greg Foley’s work includes Visionaire, V Magazine, album cover design, and writing & illustrating children’s books

What tips would you give to anybody who is looking to get started in design?

Knowledge is power so ask questions, pay close attention and do your research. Creatives often have this notion of being “original”, but the more you see, the more you understand it’s as much about craft as it is about shaping a “new” approach.

Display typography featured in V Magazine (sampled from various issues)

For more follow @gregardless on Instagram.