A mom/designer chats with us about the balance of font choice and branding over hang time with her sweet little gal. If only all our lives could be so clear of intention.
Who: Nerissa Goco
Where: Tsawwassen, BC
What: Mom and Designer
Believes: in living where work, life and inspiration are all integrated. Inspire & Be Inspired.
Q: The New Domestic is one of my favourite on-line shops- how do you find time to do all that you do being a mom?
A: I've been asked this question many times especially when Luna was just an infant. I really believe that if there is something you love to do, you will find the time to do it. Even with a toddler in tow, I just continue doing all the things I've always loved to do. Luna goes to daycare a couple times a week so I have two full days to myself to work. So when I have Luna, the days are more laid back and I just squeeze in some work time while she naps. I really love being able to spend a lot of time with Luna watching her grow without sacrificing my creative endeavours.
Q: Where do you go for unconventional design inspiration?
A: I love driving around farmlands and being surrounded by nature. There's something about abandoned barns, rolling green hills & so much open sky that just makes me happy. I also love perusing thrift stores, going to our favourite places to eat, watching a good film and surrounding myself with people I love and admire. I really take inspiration from life itself and all the adventures it brings.
Q: You do some freelance graphic design work (thank you nesting re-brand!) who are your fave types of clients to work with?
A: I've worked with such amazing people who are so passionate about what they do. Branding is about giving products personality and telling stories visually. The common thread with my favourite clients is they have great stories to tell. My job is to capture it and reflect it back.
Q: Current Projects that have excited you?
A: Two in particular. I have truly enjoyed working with is Rosie Daykin of Butter Baked Goods. Butter has a strong brand that makes you fall in love with it immediately and brings you back to your childhood eating old fashioned sweets. Rosie approached me to re-brand a new product line which is totally separate from the Butter brand. It's been fun working with Rosie creating a brand from ground bottom
and coming up with fun ideas for it's packaging, presentation and messaging.
Heather Cameron of Missing Goat Farms is also one of my favourite clients. Heather and I met during the photoshoot of our home for Anthology Magazine issue #3. We hit it off right away and a few months later, I was re-designing her delicious Missing Goat jams. Heather wanted to capture the look of country homemade jams but with a modern, whimsical, sophisticated twist. The classy script used in the logo mixed in with a handwritten typeface gives it an old and new world look. The design is confident with a lot of personality – sophisticated, but not stuffy & boring. It has a homemade feel- Like every bottle is made with love.
Q: I know you like typography- is there a font you are currently loving?
A: My current favourite is Eames Century Modern which I use for The New Domestic brand. But there isn't one typeface for everything, each one has it's own form and personality so it's all about finding the right typeface for each individual project.
Q: How do you define good design?
A: Honest. Beautiful. Communicates. Makes our lives better.
Q: Your home has been feature in many on-line publications (anthology, design sponge, bloesom kids, apartment therapy and poppytalk), what room is your biggest design challenge and why?
A: If I have to choose the most challenging room in the house, I think it would have to be the living room. Perhaps it's because we've set it up as a formal space. Therefore, it's the space in the house we spend the least time in. We are thinking of re-decorating it by moving furniture around, maybe painting some walls and making it a more inviting space for us to gather as a family everyday.
Q: Your little Luna is too cute for words- how does she help shape what your home is about?
A: We haven't actually had to change much in our house since Luna was born except for moving dangerous objects. The challenge of having kids at home is being able to blend in their toys and play space and still keep the home looking like it belongs to the family and not solely to the kid. What has worked out for us is storing Luna's collection of toys in felt boxes, Ikea baskets and gorgeous handmade baskets from Ghana. It works out really well while doing double-duty as a decorative objects.
We also typically just buy pieces that are minimal and with a nice splash of colour. This way, her things will grow with her and they blend nicely with everything else we have in our home. For example, for Luna's first birthday party, I made her bunting flags that we hung in the dining room. We've left it up there since then as we love the festive look of it. In our studio/workshop room, we have a mobile hanging from the ceiling showcasing all her artwork. It's all about celebrating life and growing together as a family.
Q: What is your go-to birthday gift for a kids party?
A: I'm all for cute wooden toys but as much as I can, I love giving kids presents that captures their imagination and are also productive. For our friends girls' birthday, I created an artist kit. I filled a personalized wooden box with all sorts of art materials then bundled a little white canvas and wrapped it with bakers twine. It was so fun putting it together and also know that an amazing piece of art from 3 year olds will come out of it!
Q: When you are not designing you are...?
A: Going for long nature walks with my family, eating at our favourite spots, baking or trying out a new recipe, going for long scenic drives in the countryside or simply watching reruns of Jamie Oliver and Anthony Bourdain.
