Interview With Brian Hoff of The Design Cubicle

Brian Hoff: I run a full time independent design studio in Philadelphia, while also speaking at events, writing for a few upcoming publications, and teaching part-time at a local college — all on the subject of design. I am also am the writer of the design blog, The Design Cubicle, which aims to help, educate and inspire other designers and those looking to hire design services.

I grew up from a young age with a love for drawing and painting. Coupled with my love and admiration of technology, graphic design was the obvious choice as a career (although when I was little I wanted to be a cartoonist). My work now mostly focuses on creating websites and brand identities for a variety of different companies across the globe.

Brian Hoff: My curiousity has always led to my learning, so school really didn’t teach me much as far as technical skills are concerned. However, creatively, yes it was worthwhile. School taught me how to better prepare, analyze, look at things, organize and other key elements on how to be a successful person, in addition to a successful designer. I do wish it focused more on the business end of design though.

I always told myself that if I had the chance to do it all over again I would let my passion and curiousity educate my career and study business in school. I’ve learned so much stumbling through my first year of business, and still have so much to learn. Could have saved me some time.

Brian Hoff: I do love me some good ol’ typography! As far as learning about type offline (and there are many great online resources as well) I read a lot of books and look at many examples of type and layout. I analyze what makes it successful or not.

Here are a few quality books on typography that I’ve read and recommend: Recommended Reading from Brian Hoff. My favorite being The Elements of Typographic Style. It will change your world and they way you perceive and understand type. Honestly I read it two and a half times.

Brian Hoff: Know the history of typography. Many typefaces were created with a reason and use in mind—not just to look pretty. For example, certain serif fonts were made with large x-heights which help to improve readability of small(er) body copy.

In addition to analyzing the typeface also look at how the space around the type is used. Improved typography can be small difference of adjusting the line-height, for example.

Brian Hoff: I worked as a software trainer for Apple, and during that time helped non-techical-folk use software and websites. It really helped me gain a better understanding of user experience and how the less technical savvy users interact with things online and on their computers. Many of the things I’ve learned during that time help when building websites for my clients.

Brian Hoff: To be honest, The Design Cubicle started as a side project of mine. I wanted to help inspire and educate others and really didn’t consider the success it is today. Had I thought differently it would be a part of my main site, BrianHoff.net.

The new Behoff.com, is more of a “ramble”, more personal blog, which is eventually (working on a redesign now of BrianHoff.net) going to be apart of BrianHoff.net. Again, not thinking when considering my web presence.

On the plus side of things, all three sites make it more possible for people to find me in different ways…. I guess. Also, the more personal blog, behoff.com, separates the more business-like Design Cubicle. Some of those who follow me enjoy only the tips and tricks, while others actually seem interested in what I’m doing or who I’m working with, in addition to hearing me ramble a bit.

Brian Hoff: Use your resources. Its amazing how many young people don’t use the internet to its fullest ability. I have a younger sister who can code up her MySpace page in a flash, however calls me to ask a homework question when the internet is right in front of her with millions of people and forums to get answers from.

Set up a good looking website. Start a blog to share your passion. Friend and follow people on Twitter. Use Facebook for more than looking at your friends party pictures. One thing about social networking to remember is that it’s no different than networking in the real world. Build relationships online. Help people. Excite people. Interact with them and don’t just “follow” people. And always: be kind.