Conrad Garner Interview – 50 States (Florida)

Conrad Garner – “Living in Florida for almost 4 years now has inspired and completely changed my life”

This week Creative Chair is working on its tan in Tampa, Florida where we’re talking to illustrator/designer Conrad Garner.

Conrad seems to be the go-to guy for alcohol packaging, and his projects show a real talent for relaying the personality of a brand through his unique illustrative style. We find out more this, the 13th edition of our 50 States series.

You can see more from Conrad Garner on his website.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself and what you do

I am an illustrator and designer currently living and working in Tampa, Florida. I specialise in illustration and package design. I do a lot of gig posters, beer, liquor, and wine label design, as well as some fashion and branding design.

I love working all night and sleeping in. I enjoy short walks on the beach to the nearest cantina. I love BBQ. I hate when people drive slow in the left lane and I f*ckining love cats.

How has your state influenced the work that you do?

I was born in Florida, raised in Idaho, and would visit Florida frequently on summer trips with my family. I loved it. I crave the sun and warm weather and any excuse to play outside.

There is bit of nostalgia I add into my personal work and style. Maybe living in cold Idaho winters and daydreaming of Florida made me a bit nostalgic. Living in Florida for almost 4 years now has inspired and completely changed my life.

I have had some incredible opportunities and I am grateful to be able to work and collaborate with a lot of people in my community and around the world that are working hard in their industries. Being around a vibrant community not only inspires me creatively but also to work hard.

Of your own work, what is your favourite project and why?

That’s a tough one. I really enjoy what I do and feel very grateful I get to make a living out of it but the project I am most proud of has to be the Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial Season Ticket Package.

It was a tremendous honour to work on such an incredible project with a fantastic internal team. It was also a very massive project and I put so much work and hours into it in a relatively short amount of time so it was challenging creatively as well as physically.

It was well received and won a few awards and features. It just won a gold clio soI. I’m very excited about that.

And finally, if you died and got reincarnated as a song, what would that song be?

Refused – The Deadly Rhythm

It’s been a fight to get to where I am at in my career today and it reminds me to never settle, never give up despite the opposition, and it’s up to you to make it happen so go do it!