What is your full name?
Darryl Wesley Sharp Jr.
Year:
Junior
Major:
Interior Design
Hometown:
Alexandria, VA
What do you plan to use your major for?
Hopefully I can get involved in designing retail spaces such as clothing, shoe, or even toy stores. I’m hoping that that can cross over to more marketing aspects of the spaces and even graphic design!!
Do you have any major interior design inspirations?
Well, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work is what attracted me to the major. I really enjoy the way that he interacts with nature with the spaces he creates, especially with Falling Water. Karim Rashid is also a favorite of mine. I like his frequent use of organic shapes and bright colors that make a space both unique and futuristic.
Around campus you are increasingly becoming involved in graphic design, can you briefly describe how you first decided to start?
To be honest, it just kind of just ….happened. I’ve always loved doing graphic arts because I have been doing it since 10th grade. I knew a few members from Her Campus VCU and they were looking for graphic designers so I joined the organization. I liked doing it so much as a hobby from interior design work that it kind of snowballed into me creating works for other organizations around campus as well.
What organizations and businesses have you created designs for thus far?
So far I have made fliers, and sometimes t-shirts, for VCU organizations such as Stop the Hunger VCU, Circle K International at VCU, Relay for Life at VCU, the Student Hip-Hop Organization at VCU, the Activities Programming Board at VCU, and of course, Her Campus VCU!! As an intern for Her Campus nationally I have made banners and fliers for schools such as UGA and Stetson University. Time to time I will even do work on fliers for my friend’s church, the Remnant Christian Center. If I’m not doing that I am helping friends of mine with their clothing line or just making some crazy idea that has popped in my head.
Right now you are the Graphic Design Chair for Her Campus VCU and an intern for the national office! How would you describe your overall experience working with Her Campus?
It’s a friendly environment that is very determined and I like that so much. They strive for so much and have achieved so much and I don’t see them going nowhere but UP!! They are always “on their game” with catching the attention of college students and I am glad to be a part of something so exciting and……fresh!
As a male, Her Campus tends to pretty feminine, has that posed as a problem when trying to create designs?
No I wouldn’t say so. If anything it has helped to make my designs and process thinking more universal for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
Is there a type of graphic design or style that you enjoy most?
Because I have been doing so much Photoshop with fliers lately, I’m going to say that I like doing vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator. I really like making vector portraits of people (when I have the time). I like also combining my sketches with vector stuff so that it turns out to be something really cool. The only time I really get to do that is when I am making a cool sticker/button for rappers I really like or if I am helping out friends with their t-shirt designs. I also kind of wish that I could be more involved in making mixtape covers for people. That would be really cool and an honor to make!!
Do you think that you plan to pursue a career in graphic design now that you are becoming so involved in it? Oh, yes definitely!! Right now I am trying to get both a graphic design AND interior design internship this summer. The interior design one is mandatory for graduation but a graphic design one would be nice so I can keep my skills sharp!!
What would you consider your biggest breaks?
Probably getting the job as Graphic Designer for APB at VCU. It’s the first time where I am actually getting paid serious money for the work I create. Plus, it is a great feeling seeing fliers that I created around campus!! My Her Campus internship was also a big one because not too many people get a chance to make banners that are viewed nationally and I am grateful for that.
Who would you consider your inspirations are?
I can’t really say that there is a specific artist that inspires my work completely. I just really like to make stuff that I think is pretty eye catching or out-of the-box and I just go with that. But some artists that I do follow are Sam Spratt and Brandon Breaux for their illustration styles. I am also a big fan of Lesean Thomas! I got to meet him at the New York Comic Con in 2008 and he signed my sketchbook!!!
In the future, what is your ideal career and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It would be nice to be in New York working for a graphic design firm, more specifically one revolved music or entertainment. I’m always thinking of cool slogans or sayings so a marketing firm would be fun too! In general, I just want to be around a fun, creative bunch that just wants to make the world better visually and catch people’s attention!
Is there anything you would like to share with other students about yourself and work?
I am just an artist trying to get involved as much as I can and get better with time!! Check out my portfolio atwww.darrylsharp.portfoliobox.