Crafting stunning visual designs to draw in and set the scene for listeners, VCD alum Ariel VanNatter 鈥�15 is the face behind a number of audiobook cover designs for Spotify.
VanNatter freelances for a range of clients but was approached by Spotify to design cover art for historical romance books and one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen. After her first design, Spotify was impressed and wanted her to create more.
鈥淛ane Austen is my favorite author and that was the first one I got to do because of my passion behind it,鈥� VanNatter said.
Each audiobook cover design is different but follows a streamlined process. During the lengthy research stage, VanNatter listens to each audiobook to get a sense of the story and watches a movie adaptation if it is accurate to the book.
鈥淚 watch the movie adaptation to also look at the fashion that was made,鈥� VanNatter said.
After the research process, VanNatter works to provide at least two sketches for the client and whichever one they approve will get chosen. Shortly after, the invoice comes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to freelance because I have more freedom to negotiate prices,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have a contract with them, so I have more wiggle room to do what I believe is best.鈥�
In addition to freelancing, VanNatter is a product designer and hand lettering artist for American Greetings, working with buyers and product managers to design stickers, greeting cards and stationery.
Working in both corporate and freelance environments, VanNatter has understood the importance of listening and collaborating with individuals.
鈥淢y strategy is to listen to everyone鈥檚 words and then I start to fill in my suggestions,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 visual communication, I have to listen to their communication of what they want and achieve the visual.鈥�
Collaboration also helps designers understand how to mesh with different personalities in the workplace, VanNatter added.
鈥淵ou have to fold to other people鈥檚 personalities, and you don鈥檛 want to burn bridges,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l realize that some people are flexible with deadlines, and some are not, so you will have to surrender to that.鈥�
During this process, it is important that designers listen to fulfill clients' and managers' visions, while also staying true to their design work and keeping up with trends, VanNatter mentioned.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e moving at such a fast pace and trying to keep up with trends, which just keep moving faster and faster,鈥� VanNatter said.
As a result, VanNatter says that it is difficult to find inspiration as a professional in a fast-paced environment. Despite this, she remains driven in all aspects of her work.
鈥淢y motivation is staying on deadlines because I am a perfectionist and don鈥檛 like to be late,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淎nyone starting out may feel overwhelmed, but that鈥檚 normal and it will slow down.鈥�
With countless trends in design, VanNatter consistently stays updated on social media platforms such as Instagram. More specifically, she pays attention to fashion and interior design trends that reflect what she wants in her work.
鈥淚t鈥檚 natural for most people in the creative world to memorize various trends,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淚 like to look out for fabric or color trends.鈥�
When she first entered the real world, VanNatter often dwelled on criticism from others regarding her work. Learning from her mistake, she encourages students interested in the creative field to accept and learn from criticism.
鈥淐hanges are always going to happen,鈥� VanNatter said. 鈥淩ealize that鈥檚 normal, it doesn鈥檛 make you any less of a person and accept that change.鈥�
