Member Spotlight: Walker Carney

Tell us a little about yourself and your work.

I am an art director and printmaker based in Atlanta, working with businesses all over the globe. In addition to my in-house position, I create art prints and various goods for markets, my online store, and various collaborations.

What do you geek out about?

I got into design thanks to video games, particularly their typography. As soon as I figured out who “the Designers Republic” was, I was hooked. Fonts will always be my passion, but through my ongoing projects, I’ve developed a respect for all the elements of design that make a project whole. I find editorial design particularly fascinating. The process of layout, consideration of white space, hierarchy, visual tension, and the grid working to organize all the information is fascinating to me.

What brought you to Atlanta, and how long have you lived here?

I moved to the United States in 2004 from the U.S. Virgin Islands to pursue a Graphic Design education at SCAD in Savannah. I studied there for 3-years and finished my degree here in Atlanta in 2007 and have been here ever since.

Why did you join AIGA?

I joined AIGA as part of my commitment to engage other colleagues in the industry as well as be part of a network of my peers and role models. AIGA has been a constant during my studies at SCAD and throughout my career here in Atlanta.

What inspires you to do the work you do?

As a visual communicator, I feel it is necessary for me to be able to help others find a voice but also maintain the ability to express my own. Having a self-directed creative practice helps keep me grounded as I manage my “in-house” office work. There is tension between my daily professional creative responsibilities and my practice as a maker. But, this delicate balance continues to help me evolve as an artist.

What design trends do you love?

The sharing of knowledge and process transparency in the industry pushes me to want to be better and to help others to grow past any limitations they may face. The last few conferences I attended blew my mind in terms of honest insight and blunt advice. The guest speakers were refreshing and challenging at the same time. It’s hard to say that I really love any trends, but type design is a field that I believe has the potential to move the design world forward—and to keep design new & exciting.

Where should we go to see your work?

I post as much of my work as I can on Instagram and my personal website. I also have a selection of prints and goods with Press Shop in Summerhill, Atlanta.