Rapid Fire Questions:
Danny Finocchio

“I’ve learned that not only do you need to be skilled you need to be confident in your skill set. ”

Danny Finocchio is an experienced design professional currently working in Boston, MA, USA. Danny spoke to us about his roles as both an in house designer for Reebok and a Creative / Co-founder for his own design practice, Freebridge Design Co. Read on to hear Danny’s thoughts on how the role of a designer fits into a wider commercial team.

You can also view more of Danny’s portfolio in Pictoria Volume.1, The Best Contemporary Illustrators Worldwide.

Who are you and what do you do?

Hi, I'm Danny Finocchio. I'm a Designer at Reebok in Boston, MA, and also co-founder/creative for my own project, Freebridge Design Co.

How would you describe your work?

In my role as an in-house designer I try to be as versatile as possible; experimenting with different styles/techniques that fit the project at hand. In my personal work I gravitate toward hand-lettered type-focused works.

How do you go about creating your artwork? Do you prefer to work digitally or with traditional media?

I like to make a lot of small sketches either in my gridded book or even on sticky notes. Then I'll scale them up and take them into the computer to convert to vector art. Sometimes I work exclusively in the computer.

What are you working on at the moment?

I design graphic tees at Reebok -- And for own project, I'm working on branding concepts for a new company. I just finished making a block print for a gift last night too!

Who or what are the top five inspirations for your work?

Music. History. Sport. Cartography. Local Community.

What's one resource every artist, illustrator or designer should know about?

Having an understanding of Art History.

What is the most valuable lesson you've learned during your time working in the creative industries?

Having a career in Design doesn't just mean being a skilled designer. As an in-house designer, I've learned that not only do you need to be skilled you need to be confident in your skill set. You need to be a collaborative, willing partner. You need be able to articulate your vision to those with or without design backgrounds. In the freelance world, I've learned that you have to know your worth, and be able to sell yourself.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

I'm currently experiencing my hardest challenge as I've recently moved from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA for a new opportunity. I'll let you know how it goes on the next follow-up!

What are your professional goals for the next year?

Be successful with my new job opportunity all the while expanding clientele in my freelance work.