Todays interview is a quick chat with New York resident and designer Lisa Llanes. If you read to the end, you’ll even get the scoop on the best ramen in NYC - perfect for your next trip to the big apple!

CB: You went to college for Public Relations, graduated and then went back and got a graphic design degree a few years later, what prompted the switch?

LL: In the very last semester of undergrad, my PR curriculum included a visual communications class. This immediately sparked my interest in visual design. I was always that kid that messed around in bootleg copies of the Creative Suite software and took notice in layout design and fonts, etc. so I’m not sure why it wasn’t evident to me before. After graduating I took some design classes at the local community college to increase my technical knowledge of the software, which led me to working at a small PR/marketing/design firm in my college town. After working there for a bit as a production designer, I decided that I really wanted to be more on the creative side and decided to go back to school!

CB: That’s awesome! It kind of gives you the benefit of knowing both sides of the business, how to design and how what you design will be used for marketing purposes. Do you have projects you work on outside of work? A creative outlet for the ideas that aren’t useful for work?

LL: Yes I do. I try to have small personal projects going on to keep me motivated and inspired. Sometimes it’s things like Tacocat - fun little doodles that turn into shirts. I’ve more recently been exploring hand lettering and calligraphy.

CB: What made you decide to try out hand-lettering and calligraphy?

LL: I’ve always been interested, but recently started practicing more. I’ve always been intrigued with how beautiful the letterforms are and the different styles. It’s nice to work with my hands away from the computer.

CB: It’s definitely great to have projects outside of work, keeps the mind fresh! What other stuff do you like to do in your free time? Got any fun hobbies?

LL: Living in New York, there is always a new or new-to-me restaurant to try. I love trying all different kinds of foods which goes hand in hand with my love for traveling. I’m also big reader of fictional novels and memoirs and enjoy going to see live music. More recently, I’ve been trying to become more outdoorsy and have taken up hiking!

CB: The best thing about visiting NYC is all the good food to eat! Do you have a favorite restaurant? What has been your favorite place to travel to?

LL: A favorite restaurant in NY?!?! That’s so hard. I will say, I love ramen. I’m slowing eating my way through all of New York’s ramen joints. My favorites so far have been Mu Ramen and Totto Ramen.

As far as travel - my favorite place so far has been Iceland. Sometimes, I felt like I was on another planet!! It has such a cool and beautiful, diverse terrain. The glaciers and waterfalls were incredibly breathtaking.

You can see more of Lisa’s work on her website or keep up with her on twitter, instagram, or dribbble.

Designer and illustrator, Alana Lyons moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Austin, TX almost a year ago. We caught up with her to learn about how she’s liking ATX so far, and how she’s keeping busy now that she’s all settled in. Read on to learn more about Alana.

CB: How’s Austin treating you so far?

AL: Austin is an amazing city. I moved here with no prior visit or friends in town and after 9 months or so, I already have good folks to rely on, secret fishing spots, and way too many options for breakfast tacos. I can’t complain.

Growing up in the peach state of Georgia, I became accustomed to ‘yes m'am’s and 'how do you do’s but I have to say the Southern hospitality I’ve felt in Austin is as real as it gets. People are genuinely nice; more so than in any other Southern state I’ve visited, aka all of them.

I had grown used to taking long drives just to experience a decent hike or crucial view, but in less than 15 minutes I can find myself in a place like McKinney Falls or Longhorn Dam and still be inside the city. I know there are far more of these places that I haven’t even discovered yet.

Out of the three major cities I’ve lived in, Austin has been the first where I can clearly see constellations at night. It’s true that the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.

CB: The greenbelts were always a favorite place for me to go and grab some inspiration when I lived there. Are you finding that the creative community there has welcomed you in? Any opportunities you’ve enjoyed there that wouldn’t have been possible back in the 'Burg?

AL: The creative community in Austin is an opportunity in itself. There are so many studios in the city and probably way more that I don’t know about. It’s almost unreal how close I live to studios that I followed during art school - something I did not experience while in Pittsburgh. And again, people are so fucking nice. Just recently I had lunch with Brad Woodard / Brave the Woods who is not only an amazing illustrator but also such a nice dude.

CB: That’s awesome! Brad had a shirt on our site over the summer - he’s such a great illustrator. How are you keeping yourself busy outside of work? Anything special you’re working on in your free time?

AL: During office hours, I work as a visual and interaction designer. So, after hours, I enjoy creating apps with friends to help myself improve at my day job, but I have also been taking on freelance projects that are primarily illustrative or print-based. These types of projects are refreshing and are sort of a mental break for me. Most recently, though, I’ve been doing a lot of weird collaborations with Colin Miller - including a shirt for Cotton Bureau that just got approved!

Oh, and I draw a lot of wolves.

CB: We’re stoked on the new design you and Colin came up with! Can’t wait to see it in the flesh. How does collaborating with someone change your work style?

AL: I think what I love about doing collaborations is that each person has to be malleable to the others’ styles. I’ve never experienced a colllab where each contributor puts together what currently exists and then the project is done. There’s always some sort of process of ensuring that whatever is incorporated is flexible towards each other so it doesn’t look like a weird mixture of completely separate directions. Oh, and I also like to use collaborations as an excuse to try new things. Always DTC (down to collab).

CB: If you could collaborate with anyone (living) in the world on something, who would it be and what would you like to collaborate on?

AL: If I could collaborate with anyone in the world it would be with Daniel Romano. I could imagine us covering 'Deep in The Heart of Texas’ by George Strait (with him on lead vocals and guitar, me as backup vocals and bass), pressing our single on splatter vinyl - maybe 100 copies and thats it, and designing the record sleeve together.

CB: Wow! That sounds amazing. Are you a singer or musician as well?

AL: Haha not really. I am attempting to learn bass though!

CB: Learning a new skill is great, even if it’s just going to be a hobby. Have you learned to play any songs yet?

AL: After two lessons, I have played 'All Too Well’ by Taylor Swift, 'Old White Lincoln’ by Gaslight Anthem, and 'Dammit’ by Blink 182. I am still a rookie.

CB: That’s pretty good after only two lessons! Thanks for chatting with us, Alana.

You can find Alana on twitter, dribbble, and tumblr, or check out her portfolio here. To request a reprint of her Wolves tee, sign up here. (Artist profile photo courtesy of Woven Magazine.)

Noah Jacobus is a graphic designer located in Lexington, KY. He spends his days as Brand Manager for Southland Christian Church and his nights making beautiful themes for slackhq (we’re currently using Alto Lux). Read on to find out which designer Noah would most like to have over for pizza.

CB: What does it mean to be a “Brand Manager”? What does your day to day look like?

NJ: Being the brand manager is just a fancy way of saying I’m responsible for how most things at Southland look and sound. That entails everything from sermon series visuals to little illustrated cards that are handed out in children’s ministry. For the size of organization it is, our Communications Team is pretty small-only 5 people. Because of that, my day-to-day ranges through the creation of all manner of print, web, and venue screen content. Just today, I worked on title slides for a new video series, wayfinding signage, and a promotional card for a local medical clinic with which we partner.

CB: Doing something different every day has got to keep your creative juices flowing! Where do you find inspiration for all of these different tasks?

NJ: A lot of it comes directly from the creative momentum of freelance and personal projects I do outside Southland. As varied as it is one day to the next, my job involves a lot of recurring projects; so harnessing that energy to revitalize my full-time work really comes in handy.

CB: Speaking of personal projects, anything you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?

NJ: Creating and fostering local culture is something that’s been on mind for the last year and change, so I’ve been working with some friends on Made in Lex-promoting the Athens of the West, Lexington KY. Nothing official’s happened with it yet, but I’m excited to keep fleshing it out behind the scenes and hopefully launch later this year.

Also, I really like these hands. I’ve got a couple plans in the works for using those down the road, too.

CB: Made in Lex sounds like an ambitious undertaking, but something that will be quite rewarding! You mentioned on the site that you were home-schooled. Do you think that type of educational system contributed to your interest in a creative field?

NJ: I definitely think so, because my parents were big proponents of letting us choose some of the curriculum ourselves as we got older. I was interested in weird stuff like REALbasic and the Iconfactory’s now-defunct Pixelpalooza contest, so I worked on those alongside core subjects. And without all the normal school bureaucracy, my brother and I would be done by 11am each day-which left a lot of time for playing with Legos and running around outside.

CB: Ha! That’s great that they let you choose some of what you got to learn about; keeps the learning fun and interesting. If you could sit down with anyone currently working in graphic design right now, for a two hour dinner, who would it be?

NJ: I’d like to have pizza with Mattox Shuler of Fort Foundry. We’ve got some mutual friends and have chatted briefly via Twitter, but never at length about the biz or design in general.

Type design has always fascinated me, but Mattox has been able to turn that interest into a viable career. And the faces he makes are fantastic! Seriously, go buy a couple.

CB: Can’t go wrong with a chat about design over pizza, sounds like it’d be a good time! Thanks for chatting with me Noah!

To keep up with all things Noah, you can follow him on twitter, instagram, and dribbble.

Jenny Tiffany is a freelance illustrator and designer living and working in Portland, OR. Her design style is whimsical, retro, minimalist, and happy. You can’t look at her work without smiling. Read on to learn more about Jenny and her inspirations away from the computer.

CB: You have a very distinctive style, kind of dreamy and retro, with a lot of soft colors that seem to be inspired by nature. Where does this aesthetic come from? What inspires you to create this way?

JT: I’m absolutely in love and inspired by mid century design, colors, and aesthetic. I love mixing and matching pastels and saturated colors and finding pairings that are exciting. I usually start a piece by putting shapes and colors together that I like. My favorite art has always been landscapes. The natural world is endlessly fascinating and inspiring so I usually end up representing some aspect of it. I just try to have fun and make something that I want to look at and then it’s great if other people like looking at it too!

CB: Seems like a lot of people like looking at what you make! How long have you been working in graphic design & Illustration?

JT: Thanks! I’ve been doing graphic design related work for the last 13 years. I’ve been drawing and creating art since I was a kid. During my high school and college years I would do paintings for fun or for commissions. I love making art in a digital format and I feel like it’s enabled me to really focus my career and find my true calling.

CB: That’s awesome! Is work enough of a creative outlet for you? Or do you have so many ideas you do other projects just for fun?

JT: Good question! Work is not enough of a creative outlet for me. I definitely wish there were more hours in everyday because I have a lot of other projects I’m doing or want to do! I love creating new art prints to sell in my own shops and I try to work on a graphic storybook I’m doing with my brother when I get the chance. I love playing music (guitar and bass) with friends or by myself whenever I can. I also love building things out of wood and have a bunch of projects and things around the house I’m always doing.

CB: sounds like you stay really busy! What do you do to relax and keep your imagination fresh?

JT: I love gardening and hanging out with my five bantam hens. It’s super relaxing watching the chickens go about their chicken business. They’re so funny and entertaining that they instantly put you in a good mood.

I also love to just veg out and watch TV or listen to records.

CB: I can only imagine how cute they are. Quick, top five TV shows!

JT: Hmmm, top five shows currently I would have to say Broad City, Bob’s Burgers, The Goldbergs, Parks and Rec, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I have a soft spot for cheesy sitcoms and I’m not ashamed to say that I often find myself watching late night reruns of King of Queens.

CB: Anyone who doesn’t have a soft spot for cheesy sitcoms takes life too seriously. Top five records currently?

JT: It’s true, cheesy sitcoms are great! Top five records I’ve been listening to a lot lately would be Sun Structures - Temples, Bazaar - Wampire, Hi-Fi In Focus - Chet Atkins, Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, and Big Band Bossa Nova - Enoch Light.

CB: Thanks for chatting with us, Jenny!

To learn more about Jenny’s work, check out her website, etsy shop, or follow her on twitter and instagram.

Ben Stafford is a graphic designer living and working in Columbus, Ohio. We spoke with him to get the scoop on what it’s like to work with your spouse, from home, with a small child underfoot. Read on to learn more about Ben and the designers he’d like to chat with over steak and cheesecake.

CB: You opened your design studio, Foxmeadow Creative, with your wife Beth about four years ago. How did that come about? Had you guys worked together before?

BS: I can’t believe it’s already been four years! At the time, we were Art Directors at different marketing agencies here in Columbus, Ohio. We had been doing freelance work on the side since graduating from college but never made it “official” until 2011. Beth left the agency world and pioneered the frontier of owning our own business. I didn’t join her full-time until November 2013.

We’ve heard working with your spouse isn’t for everybody. But for us (without sounding mushy), we really do love each other and are best friends. We have similar tastes, design sense and agree on a lot of business-y things. Our design strengths compliment each other well and we couldn’t feel more blessed to have this rare opportunity.

CB: That’s great! It’s a pleasure to work with people you respect and like so it’s gotta be doubly great to have your life partner be your business partner as well. You guys do a lot of work for ministries and nonprofits; did these types of projects fall into your lap, so to speak, or did you seek them out?

BS: Both, actually! We have always wanted to use our skills and abilities to help make a difference. Over the years we’ve teamed up with many different organizations and ministries that are near to our hearts. Just knowing we’ve played a small part in furthering these causes/missions is an honor and joy.

CB: Do you guys work out of your home? If so, how do you balance having your daughter at home with you while you’re working?

BS: Yep! We’ve got a space in our home dedicated to our office/studio. I get out occasionally for a different perspective, but most of the time, we’re in there together.

As for…<changes baby’s diaper then returns>…taking care of a small child while managing your own company, it has its challenges. We take full advantage of her nap time like nobody’s business. I’m sure it will get harder as she grows, but there have been continual adjustments and we seem to adapt. At the end of the day, I’m thankful for how much time I get to spend with my leading ladies while being a full-time designer/illustrator.

CB: Ha! That’s exactly what I was wondering about. You’ve gone four for five with your designs for CB, where do you find inspiration for this type of “personal” work?

BS: I wish I could say tangrams! I haven’t played with any in years but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some subconscious influence. Staying inspired is partly due to the fact that I’m constantly doodling in my sketchbook. It’s rare that an idea (good or bad) goes undocumented. I love working with simple shapes and practicing restraint with my illustrations/designs. As far as who I’m inspired by, the older legends like Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff, and the amazing Charley Harper are never-ending resources. The work Ty Wilkins, Mike Bruner, and Luke Bott are producing these days is top shelf and definitely makes me strive to be better and think differently!

CB: If you could sit down to dinner with Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff, and Charley Harper what would you ask them?

BS: During cocktails, I’d ask them to share some of the stuff that didn’t make the final cut or some of their personal work that was never shared. In our line of work, sometimes we have to “kill our darlings” and let go of some good concepts. So based on a hunch, I’m sure they have treasure chests full of unseen sketches.

While we’re dining on steak, I’d ask them to share their biggest source of inspiration. My guess is that it wouldn’t be the internet.

After we’ve finished our cheesecake and have moved onto coffee, I’d ask them for their autographs and a quick pic for Instagram. Because, “pics or it didn’t happen,” am I right?

CB: Yes, pics or it didn’t happen! That sounds A) like a pretty great dinner and B) like some great questions. Thanks for chatting with us Ben!

Keep up with everything Ben has going on, follow him on twitter, tumblr, and dribbble. Sign up here to be notified anytime Ben has a new design up at Cotton Bureau!