Four Eyes Graphic Designer Spotlight: Clay Howard

Oct 15

***Clay Howard, Four Eye’s Lead Graphic Designer***

Clay Howard is a past lead graphic designer of the Beacon Quarterly team. Putting his creative quirk and expression within the Four Eyes issue, you will see how his passion for art and design really do speak through to the audience. Despite being just 23 years old, Clay showcases a great maturity in his flair and artistic attitude. Currently located in NYC, Clay is pulling out all the stops when it comes to getting his art out there. Owning an art business called Slippery Dirt, Clay is definitely showing New York that he means business!

1. Could you introduce our readers with a little bit about who you are and what being a graphic designer and visual artist means to you?

I am 23 and live in Brooklyn, I moved to NY after Beacon to explore the publishing world more and worked at The Aperture Foundation. My real passion and what I have put all of my energy into since moving is painting and growing my art business Slippery Dirt.

2. It goes without question that since you were the graphic lead for Four Eyes, what does the term Four Eyes actually mean for you?

Four Eyes is a very iconic phrase. When I hear four eyes I immediately think of a nerdy kid from the 70’s wearing giant framed glasses. In the context of Beacon, it took on the of meaning of multiple ways of looking at the same thing.

3. What strengths do you think you brought to the Four Eyes issue?

I’m more of an artist than a graphic designer so it was very cool that everyone at Beacon was so open to me basically doing whatever I wanted creatively.

4. What did you find challenging when starting your role within Beacon and how did you manage to get past it?

Typography. I hate text. That was the hardest thing. I don’t think I ever managed to get past it. I just messed with layout until something didn’t look like trash.

5. What was your favorite design component that you contributed to Four Eyes?

Being able to bring my friend Blake Ashby into Beacon and designing his page was very fun.

6. What design process did you go through within Four Eyes and how has it changed since your time with Beacon?

Learning InDesign saved my life when I started my next internship, and has also been an integral part of my painting process.

7. How have you applied your Beacon journey towards your career path and what did you learn from your overall experience?

Follow your passion and just do the things that make you happy. Graphic design at Beacon is way different that graphic design at another magazine. Try both and decide which you like more, personally I would choose Beacon over another publisher any day.

8. Is there anything you would have done differently, perhaps for a particular design that you did not resonate to?

I would have done a lot differently, but that is what is so cool about Beacon, it is an art project as much as it is a magazine so it is constantly evolving and taking new forms. Mistakes are just part of that process.

Do not forget to check out all of Clay’s work in the Four Eyes Issue, which is currently available to preview online!

You can also find Clay on his Instagram: @slipperydirt