Loren Crosier is a multi-disciplinary designer and art director based in New York. She specializes in collage and film photography and is influenced by textiles, fashion, print design and other found artifacts.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I work full time as a freelance graphic designer and art director in New York City, specifically working with fashion brands. I’m interested in all areas of fashion, design and photography and also have an art practice that pulls from all of these areas. My work is primarily collage and mixed media.
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? I’m currently working on a new collage series that has derived from specific textile pieces I’ve collected and photographed. I’m also working on making a print collection for a design concept shop which I’m hoping to launch early 2016 (!).
What is one of the bigger challenges you and/or other designers are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing? I feel like one of the personal challenges I’ve had, as well as other designers in my circle, is combating this constant glorification of busy. By this I mean the idea that being “busy” is a good thing, and quantity of work produced is driven by the ego instead of actual quality. It’s the act of doing emails all day and maintaining social media, being completely busy, and overworked, with nothing to show for it besides exhaustion, stress, and the inability to talk about anything else. There is so much more to life than work, like relationships and self-care, and I for one am still am trying to overcome this mentality in an effort to be more present and less “busy.”
How did your interest in art or design begin? I’ve always been a quiet and observant person who takes comfort in visual aesthetics. Since I was little I’ve immersed myself in magazines and fashion photography which has undoubtedly shaped the lens in which I see things and my work. I’ve spent most of my life as an appreciator of visuals, never considering myself an artist or designer. It wasn’t until about four years ago, after pursuing a completely different career I began to dabble in design. I still feel like I’m at the early stages of my career and practice and am not entirely sure where it will take me.
What products or companies are you interested in right now? I’m very excited by boutiques and designers that embrace slow fashion, quality styles, that aren’t mass produced. Notably, Lisa Says Gah, Paloma Wool, Kindred Black, Ali Golden, Elizabeth Suzann and Sincerely, Tommy.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? I use a mix of paper, printouts found in magazines or from photos I take, film or digital photography, and then my computer. Sometimes I’ll start on the computer and print out something and collage it with other materials and textiles and sometimes I’ll start with something I’ve found, photograph it, and manipulate it entirely on the computer. I’m mostly drawn to things based on light, color, texture, and movement.
What artists or designers are you interested in right now? Photographers such as Clement Pascal and Charlie Schuck. Editorial director, Ashley Helvey and designer/illustrator, Lotta Nieminen.
What is your beverage of choice when working in your studio? Hot tea (green or mint) — I go through a few glasses in one sitting.
What are you really excited about right now? I’m excited about the launch of my new design concept shop next year. It’s going to be a place where all of my interests, editorial direction, photography, design, and art combine with some really great collaborators.
Favorite place to shop? I prefer online shopping at stores like Need Supply and Totokaelo and the rest of the time thrift stores.
