Tyson Phipps: Put the Time In
Graphic Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|03 Apr 2024
Tyson Phipps, Graphic Designer and Unofficial Amateur Board Game Enthusiast at Perforce Software, has one personal and powerful guiding philosophy. “I believe in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” he says. Phipps also believes in taking time with your portfolio, especially if you’re an aspiring designer. “Spend a month or two developing one portfolio piece at a time,” he says. “It takes a lot of little steps to grow your work. Make up your own brands or clients that you want to see in the world, and create designs for them. Don’t forget to find ways to create that are really fun for you.”
Phipps spent his childhood between Turkiye and Wisconsin before eventually moving to Minnesota. “I was heavily influenced and inspired by the beautiful pattern work in Turkish rugs and artwork from an early age,” he says. His love of design crystallized in middle school, and an older, cool friend showed him the basics. “My friend was talented in typography and design,” Phipps says. “He graciously showed me how to use Photoshop at a coffee shop one day, and design has been top of mind ever since.”
This early introduction to the basics of Photoshop led to Phipps dabbling in logo design on his iPad and then enrolling in Graphic Design at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. “I had five design-related internships before landing my first full-time design job,” he says. Phipps balances his strong drive with some smart boundaries and time management skills. “I can manage several different projects at once without getting burned out by prioritizing immediate responsibilities and taking action on those first,” he says. “Also, saying ‘no’ is always an option.” Additionally, when stress mode kicks in, Phipps finds it helpful to take a quick break. “I get away from the computer and doodle or concept by hand for a few minutes,” he says.
"Gliffy Collaboration Feature Launch Campaign", Perforce Software
His design approach relies on a foundation of research and asking the right questions, followed by concept sketches and then finalizing and developing the final product. “The most important aspect of a design for me is that it be technically well done and polished,” he says. “If not, I’m immediately distracted by how it could be improved. I’d rather have a basic or simple concept that’s well done than a poorly executed ‘cutting-edge’ idea.”
While Phipps develops rapid rapport with his clients through a strong portfolio and plenty of transparent communication, there are sometimes disagreements and bumps in the road. He responds to harsh criticism with a simple three-step process. “I ask if the person criticizing me is someone whose judgment I respect,” he says. “If the answer is yes, I pay attention and look for ways to pivot and improve. If the answer is no, I search for any nuggets of insights and then let it roll off my back.”
Phipps is driven by his desire to love people and spend time with his friends. “We were made for community, and I try to be intentional in my local sphere of humans,” he says. He also has some fascinating personal goals. “I want to release an album, create a card game, and design stained glass for my home,” he says.
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