We love learning about the creative individuals who have attended In/Visible Talks events over the past couple of years, so we reached out to several members of our community and invited them to step into the spotlight. Today we hear from Creative Director and Designer David William Scott.

David’s first encounter with In/Visible Talks was at a salon co-founder Dava Guthmiller moderated, an event held in part to build anticipation for the inaugural conference in January 2018. David has since gotten inspiration from In/Visible Talks’ diverse speakers and panels from a variety of arts and design communities, including 2018 speakers Heather Day, Brian Singer, Jenny O’dell, Jesse Genet, and Kelli Anderson, and 2019 speakers Christina Amini, Ivy Ross, and Laurie Rosenwald. “In/Visible Talks creates interesting dialogue and thought-provoking ideas,” he says, “and really celebrates thinkers, makers, and do’ers.” That’s exactly what we strive to do.

Check out David’s work at David Scott Design Office, and read on for his answers to our questions about his creative life.

What is your relationship to the creative process?

“For me, it’s going into the unknown to the known and back again, from dark to light, dim to bright—every day. I tackle this process by being a consummate problem-solver open to all avenues, paths, roads, twists/turns, and perspectives. As a visual storyteller, I navigate it, embrace it, and guide it effectively.”

How or where do you find inspiration?

“Inspiration is everywhere, all around us, if you’re open to thinking of new ideas. I’ve learned to train my mind to always be thinking of ideas, concepts, stories, or treatments. The only challenge is to capture them all without losing a single morsel.”  

What is something you learned in the last year that you wish you knew when you started your career?

“Work to find your fit in your profession, where you want to design and what you like to make. And be honest with yourself about what you like and what you don’t. For example, in-house vs. agency. Square pegs can be hard to fit into round holes as you get more senior.”

What are you working on right now?

“I’ve been tackling quite a few broad-reaching global brand design projects. The work usually errs on the conceptual side of design, painting a vision for the brand that speaks to what the company’s about and presented to diverse audiences. After the big (visual) idea gets designed, it sets the tone for all design that comes after.”

Who should we be paying attention to right now? Anyone you want to shout out or elevate?

“I’ve enjoyed keeping an eye on startups popping up in the health/wellness services space. Design for this category has never been this awesome. Check out Hims and Hers, Care Of, Keeps, Beam, Candid, Methodology, and Thistle.”

Anything else you’d like to share with the In/Visible Talks community?

“Dava and Arianna Orland are wonderful curators, educators, and entrepreneurial woman. Let’s support them as creative leaders for all they contribute to the Bay Area design community and beyond. Go, D & A!”