It never ceases to amaze me how eerie the internet can be – sometimes I stumble upon the most perfect thing at any given time. In this case, I was exploring Pinterest and came across a vibrant image that resonated with me (being a Michigander and all!).
Unfortunately, the artist wasn't credited in the caption but with some research I found her website. First off, I noticed that she was based in one of my favorite Michigan cities (Ann Arbor) and after skimming through her portfolio realized that she had done some work for an old colleague/friend of mine, Detroit-based artist Scott Hocking (check it out here). Small world!
The artist's name is Amanda Jane Jones and she is the primary designer forKinfolk Magazine, a niche publication which focuses primarily on the beauty of entertaining and small gatherings. Amanda's crisp, clean design aesthetic is apparent throughout the magazine's lovely pages.
Kinfolk's website offers a host of lovely videos encompassing everything from cooking to beekeeping.
I’m always interested in how an artist settles into their particular field, so that was the focus for this short Q&A with Amanda.
Q: How did you get your start in graphic design and letterpress?
A: We were lucky enough to find an old letterpress for sale in a creepy shop in Downtown Detroit. It was full of old machines and when we saw the Vandercook we knew it needed to come home with us. The owners didn’t even know how to use it, so it was a pretty lucky find.
Q: What’s the single most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time in the field
A: Oh man, I’m still learning. But I suppose I’d say at this point in my life, make sure you leave time for personal design projects. Sometimes I get so busy with client work that I forget to take a day or two to just design for fun and see where it takes me.
Q: What’s your favorite campaign to date that you’ve created and/or been a part of?
A: I love ‘em all.
Q: How did you get involved with Kinfolk?
A: Nathan, the editor, sent me an email before the magazine began to see if I’d be up for being the designer. I’m forever grateful he did! Kinfolk is a wonderful project to be a part of.
Q: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
A: Books, books, books. Old and new, big and small. I’ve got more than I can count!
Amanda's online portfolio showcases her diverse body of work. I'm particularly smitten with her thoughtful end-of-year and birthday card designs.
All photos via Amanda Jane Jones.