Intro
I don’t usually do intros for these things but I feel that it was necessary for Mr. Jonathan Ball. To be honest maybe I should be doing this for all my guests because I feel very similarly about them all.
I found Jon (I hope he’s ok with me calling him Jon) while being a total creeper on Instagram. Worming my way from one designer’s profile to another. Until I was stopped dead in my tracks on his. Then saying to myself “What a shit head!” This was out of complete love and jealousy for his craft. His style, colour selection and use of shapes is a force to be reckoned with. That combined with his knack for setting up a shot makes him Instragram gold. I hope you all enjoy these short but fun set of questions with Jonathan Ball and be sure to check out his instagram feed.
For those who don’t know you. Who the hell are you?
My name is Jonathan Ball. I’m a typographic designer and letterer based in sunny Seattle, Washington. I went to school for graphic design and left with an obsession for all things that involve letters.
What are you working on?
I create custom, illustrative lettering for everything from apparel to brand logos. I strive to tell stories with letterforms and type. I believe that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a picture of words is invaluable. Mostly because the math is impossible to do.
What’s a tip you’d give to people? Something you’ve picked up along the way.
Be nice to everyone, but be skeptical of everything. Question the status quo!
What are you into. Or something that recently inspired you? (Doesn’t have to be illustration or design related)
I love to make things. Just about everything in fact. I’ve dabbled in many forms of making, but most recently electronics and programming. I also enjoy web design (as a hobby). It’s incredibly challenging, but also very rewarding to create something interactive and dynamic as opposed to static and absolute.
Disney or Nickelodeon?
As much as I love the ever growing mountain of properties (both physical and intellectual) that Disney owns, for me it’s Nickelodeon. Being a 90’s kid, there’s a special place in my heart for Nicktoons like Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren & Stimpy, and of course Spongebob. Nickelodeon was always a little crazier, but somehow managed to teach me everything I needed to know growing up—crude, “Modern Life” lessons that Disney just ignored. However, I haven’t watched Nickelodeon in years though so it could be shit now for all I know. I guess my answer is either old Nick or the new Disney brigade.
Social Media plug time!
Portfolio: http://jonathanballdesign.com
Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/JonathanBall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloftheabove/
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If you enjoy these posts, check out the 5 Not so Creative Questions for Creatives directory.