I’m passionate about keeping art in the communication arts.
In 2014 I founded Yondr Studio with the mission to help artisanal brands communicate with the same level of craftsmanship that they invest into their products. Much of visual communication today has divorced the values of art from the sphere of commerce. Hardline marketing and propaganda techniques have become the norm. Yet for those who value great work, these methods do not invite nor build brand trust and loyalty.
Works of art and craftsmanship, on the other hand, stand apart from such methods in that they are labors of love; they are honest and eager (not scheming and desparate) invitations to share (not consume) the wonders and joys of life that inspired their making. I love what I do and am deeply grateful for the amazing clients who allow me to partner with them in their own labors of love.
There is still a place for things of beauty within the sphere of commerce. I’m here to contribute.
Capabilities
Communicating to your customers the value of your brand can take many forms. While I primarily focus on packaging and logo design, over the years I have worked in several other mediums and sectors as well.
Background
Nathan (that’s me) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1989 and raised in Pryor—a small town northeast of there. I have been drawing as far back as I can remember although in the 8th grade, an invitation to draw t-shirt designs for a local screen printer was my initiation into the world of graphic design.
After high school, I earned an AAS in graphic design from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and worked at a small branding agency in Tulsa for a time. While there, designing on a computer, I began longing for the days I had spent drawing with pencil in hand.
It was 2010 and the “hand-made” movement was well underway. Encouraged by many whom I saw integrating traditional media back into their work, I began pursuing hand lettering and illustration and sharing my work online. In 2013 that work was noticed by a startup clothing brand in Southern California who hired me as their lead artist. In 2014 I relocated to Portland, Oregon, and opened up shop as Yondr Studio. While there, I met my wonderful wife, Katherine, and in 2016 I relocated to the Seattle area where we now reside with our three children.
Today, I run Yondr Studio out of my home studio in Kingston, WA.
Process
While each job comes with its own particular set of needs every job can be broken down into four distinct phases; 1. Ideation; 2. Sketches; 3. Revisions; and 4. Finals. To get a glimpse into how I approach this process, I have assembled a brief case study which will walk you through each step…Continue reading ︎