Matt Ganser

I'm a Chicago brand designer exploring the fundamental relationship between gestural lines and essential shapes. The graphic nature of my work is inspired by the Bauhaus aesthetic that prioritizes abstract shapes with intentionally applied color.

I value craftsmanship and the handcrafted aesthetic in the work of 1950s graphic artists and draftsmen whose connection to their work was visible in every brushstroke, line, and illustration. I begin each of my composites by drawing in simple Field Notes memo books, where I enjoy the restriction of working in a minimal utilitarian format. The pages are scanned at high resolution and enlarged, highlighting each ink stroke's nuance and unintentional beauty. I then use design software to combine my pen lines with bold graphic shapes. My composites value hierarchy and white space.

I sign each composite with a small stamp as a nod to maker's marks and industrial ephemera. More than a simple signature, this small graphic device adds a level of depth that finishes off each composite in the same way a period finishes a sentence. As a designer, this graphic approach feels natural.

As a brand designer and creative director, I've created, evolved, and activated many brands throughout my car...

Ball State University