Art Director Inspired: Rob Story
Associate Creative Director, Rob Story sheds some light on what keeps his creative juices flowing, what keeps him fulfilled and how he’s continuing to master his craft.
Associate Creative Director
Proof Advertising - Austin, Texas
Current Clients: San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau (primary), Columbia College, ERA Realty (as needed).
What inspires you daily?
Art in general. I am a very sick man when it comes to living, breathing, eating, sleeping and collecting art. I would say that I spend about 85% of everyday thinking about paintings, drawings, photographs, doodles, sketches, etc. It’s something that just comes naturally to me and is as necessary to my happiness and well-being as air and water. I come from a long line of artists and art collectors on both sides of my family, so somehow it’s ingrained in my blood.
As a result of my vice, I see A LOT of art on a daily basis. Whether it’s via my never-ending search for 16th-20th century paintings and drawings (for my collection) or by way of my quest for new, young calligraphers, illustrators, street artists and photographers to collaborate with on work projects, I’m looking at art. Art, art, art. Never stops.
As far as the world I work in, though, typography has been a true love since my days as a poster/fanzine artist in high school. Poster artists like Art Chantry, Günther Kieser and Micael Priest and album cover artists like Hipgnosis and Reid Miles were incredible sources of inspiration. Music was (and is still) a big part of my life, so music-related art was what I looked to when I began finding my way as an artist. When I became a professional, I continued to refer to the work of my “music art” heroes, but my universe expanded a bit. What inspired me as a young advertising Art Director came in the form of work by editorial Art Directors like Fred Woodward and DJ Stout. One thing I learned pretty quickly was that when budgets are low (or there isn’t any budget at all), type is your savior. It’s free, and if you’re skilled enough, it can become the art. Nobody exhibited this talent for making art out of type better than DJ and Fred. I mention my history because it’s still relevant. The best way to answer the question (what inspires me daily) is to mention these types of designers. I still look to their work, as well as to the newcomers in these genres, for inspiration.
Illustrators old and new are also sources of inspiration. I have always had an incredible amount of respect for the way a great illustrator can describe a concept visually, and how they are able to pull the viewer in and create a compelling argument as to why one should buy a magazine or a book, go see a movie or buy a toy. Of course they are liars. The best in the business. More often than not, the contents of the book or magazine, or the excitement of a movie or toy, isn’t nearly as interesting as the picture on the cover, poster or box promised it would be. But that’s the game. I’ve known it since I was a kid, and I admire it. These days, the world of illustration has become a mish-mash of retouching, photography, and old-fashioned “handcrafted” drawing and painting. But it’s still the same beautiful lie. And when I see the best examples of this craft, I become inspired to be the best liar I can be.
How do you stay inspired?
I do the work. I don’t just “manage” the work. I don’t just “go to meetings about” the work. I do the work. I design. I draw. I concept. I don’t let that knife edge get dull. It’s a funny business, advertising. An art director might climb the ladder of success and then look behind at their skill set (what made them famous) lying in the mud at the bottom of the ladder. Forgotten. We sometimes forget that becoming a creative director (what we all aspire to be, right?), takes us further and further away from what we’re good at. I’ve always felt that I wanted to keep my hands on the wheel and do the work until I simply couldn’t anymore. Through this exercise, I will (theoretically) become better and better and more and more knowledgeable. As an art director, I don’t get better at my craft by going to meetings. Curiosity, exploration and knowledge of what’s going on around me inspire me daily. As far as I see it, that’s the only way I will be fulfilled and master my work.
