Name, Location, Occupation
Cassie Pyle
St. Louis, Missouri (soon to be Denver)
Graphic Designer & Photo Stylist, Owner of Veda House
Please describe your workspace:
My workspace is all over the place. The days when I'm at my computer designing, photo editing or doing admin work, I'm in my little office nook that's in my living room. It's a tiny 300 sq. foot space filled with lots of personality and a big window. On the days when I'm doing photo styling, I'll all over the house. I actually photograph things in my guest bedroom because it has the best light in the house. I'll be moving to Denver, Colorado this summer and I'll be gaining a dedicated space to call my "studio". It comes complete with a really great mid-century vibe and an amazing outdoor space/patio. Can't wait to get settled in.
What are you working on right now?
Honestly, right now my schedule is out of this world crazy. I'm currently finalizing all the details for my wedding in may as well as trying to wrap up a few really big client projects and product launches. Since the start of the new year I've been lucky enough to work with The Savvy Home (website just launched), Commodity Goods, and The Citizenry (which I'm most excited about). For these brands I'm doing everything from full brand build outs to website design, to photography & product styling. It's been a great mix!
What has been your most rewarding project to date?
The most rewarding projects seem to be the ones that include a lot of "firsts" and take me down unexpected routes. They are usually a bit more fly-by-the-seat of your pants and that is what makes everything so exciting. Right now, I'm working with a brand that is filled with passion and that burning desire to get their company up and running so they can spread the word. Again, it's that mix of all media's that make this particular project rewarding; branding work, web design, marketing strategies, product development, photography and styling.
Which designers and artists inspire you?
I think I've realized that I'm most inspired by creatives in different fields than my own. I have also found it hard to get fully inspired by those doing the same kind of work without jealously slipping in from time to time. I'm really inspired by small business owners who sell handmade art or products, as well as photographers, fine artists, and people who make things with their hands (textiles, pottery, etc.).
Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
I'm not sure I'll ever know what I want to do for a living. All I DO know is that I can craft my professional career into whatever I want it to be. There was a time about a year and a half ago where I firmly decided that I would no longer work full time for someone else and that I most likely will never hold a desk job again. I hope my career, passions and skill sets are ever-changing and evolving as time goes on. Right now, I'm in a place where I know that getting my "one-man-band" design studio up and running successfully is taking most of my time. I just passed my one year mark as a freelance business owner and spent most of my days working on branding, photography and styling. I'm definitely enjoying this sense of freedom to keep exploring.
What do you think is the most difficult aspect of working in design?
This is a great question and I'm sure everyone answers this question differently depending on where they are in their career. For me I think the most difficult aspect is keeping a balanced mindset; one that isn't driven by envy of other's successes. It's really easy to be sucked into the world of pinterest (and other blogs/inspiration sites) and NOT feel like you're falling behind or producing inferior work. Its easy to forget that there is beauty in imperfection and most things on the internet are not as glamourous as they appear.
I recently heard Gabrielle Bernstein quote "Live your most authentic life and the universe will conspire with you". That quote really struck a cord with me.
What are you reading at the moment?
This is going to sound a bit silly but I don't do a lot of reading because it makes me tired. Haha. I do however read MANY blogs and enjoy reading blogs unrelated to design. A few of my favorites are Elephantine (Fiction Friday), And Kathleen, and Ohdeardrea. Also, this Must vs. Should post was genius!
What websites do you visit for inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere on the internet and can be a time consuming adventure to soak it all in. I believe I follow some 500 blogs and get daily updates to all of them...I know....geez. I do however sift through them as quickly as possible, choosing the most fitting inspiration for the day. These past couple months I've been visiting Miss Moss daily, the lovely blog of photographer Olivia Rae James, blog by Dabito (photographer & vintage curator) called Old Brand New, and of course, Pinterest.
What are your simplest daily pleasures?
My simplest daily pleasures are watering my plants during the day, an afternoon sweet tooth snack, walking the pup with my fiancé in the evenings and then watching a guilty pleasure television series before heading to bed. Was, rinse, and repeat.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It’s hard to predict the future and I usually get laughed at when I try to plan too far in advance, but I envision being a working mom who pursues any creative endeavor that sparks something in me. I can’t say I’ll be doing the same thing I am today, because I know I’ll constantly be evolving over the next 10 years. That’s what I love about a where my career is now…if it changes, its usually for the better.
