Visions Only Grey
Hi there.
I wrote a mystery novel.
It’s called Tucson ’93.
It involves a mystery and takes place in Tucson during the summer of 1993.
And I’m excited for everyone to get a chance to read it.
This is the Artist.
As an independent author, one of the most exciting, yet daunting tasks is creating a great cover design. I’m barely a writer and I’m certainly not an artist, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish this task. Fortunately, I happen to know Ashley Harris, an incredible graphic artist. I met Ashley as a volunteer for the Great North Innocence Project (an amazing organization, please visit their website and learn all about their critical work). I’d seen a little bit of her work for GNIP (including a live painting at an event) and the Minnesota Vikings (her day job at the time) but had no idea whether she had done any cover designs before and if she would be interested in helping me out.
Fortunately, Ashley had experience working on books and is an avid reader. As I explained what Tucson ’93 was about, she didn’t hesitate to get involved. When I saw the first designs for the Tucson ’93 cover, I was completely blown away, and my excitement has only grown from there. Without any more rambling from me, here’s my interview with Ashley.
Tell me about your background?
I’ve always been a creative person, and my background is primarily in graphic design, photography, and brand storytelling. I studied graphic design and eventually worked my way into sports, where I spent time working with the Minnesota Vikings before moving into my current role with Forward Madison FC and Rally Madison FC. Now I oversee the brand direction for both clubs, which means I get to work across everything from campaigns and social content to photography, and the overall visual identity of the teams.
Were you always into art?
Yes, definitely. I was always drawing, making things, or finding some excuse to be creative growing up. I think what eventually drew me to graphic design was realizing that art could also be a way to communicate an idea or tell a story. I liked the combination of being creative but also having a problem to solve.
How did you get into sports marketing/branding?
That is a bit of a funny story, actually. When I went to school, I had every intention of becoming a biomedical illustrator, studying fine arts and biology. During my first semester, though, I got an internship with the Wisconsin Football team. That experience introduced me to sports marketing and branding, and I quickly realized how much I loved the combination of creativity, storytelling, and sports. From there, I just kind of followed that path into where I am today.
Why do you like working on books?
I love that books give you the opportunity to really immerse yourself in one story or idea. With a lot of the work I do in sports, you're constantly moving from one thing to the next, whereas a book gives you the chance to think about the entire experience, the cover, typography, imagery, and how everything works together. There’s something really satisfying about creating an object that someone can actually hold onto.
What was your approach to Tucson ’93?
For Tucson ’93, I really wanted the design to feel like it belonged to the era without feeling like a caricature of the ’90s. I spent a lot of time thinking about the visual language of that period, the typography, colors, photography, and overall sense of nostalgia, while also trying to create a feeling of mystery and intrigue. I wanted the cover to make you curious about the story and feel like there was something waiting to be uncovered.
Is there any music from the ’90s that you love?
Absolutely! I have a pretty wide range of ’90s music that I love. Wilco, Selena, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses, The Cranberries, Green Day, U2, Weezer, TLC, Hootie & the Blowfish, Semisonic, and Counting Crows are just a few that come to mind. That’s what I can think of off the top of my head, anyway.
What’s your favorite memory from the ‘90s?
I was born in September of ‘99. With that being said, I have a lot of nostalgia for the ’90s! Most of which I completely fabricated after the fact.
This interview is over…
The Cover…