Chats with Daymark designer Thomas Casey

Thomas is our silent assassin. With an intellectual approach to design he listens carefully to clients and thinks deeply about their needs. Don’t be fooled though, he’s not just a design square (although he does have a thing for right angles); what Thomas lacks in volume he more than makes up for with sharp wit and some serious zingers. Thomas has a knack for generating clever designs that relate to the right people and cut to the chase, efficiently communicating brand personality with quiet comedic value. We sat down for 5 to ask him some designary questions:

What led you into design?

Honestly, a practical choice, at the time it seemed like the best area where art and commerce might exist together. I don't have money, but I'm glad I chose it as I do love what I do.

How do you stay inspired? Who are your greatest design influences at the moment?

Always be looking is my approach. Whether you're doom scrolling or looking at some trashy packaging in the supermarket, there's always something new to see. The wider you cast the net the more likely you'll catch something interesting. Influences, I think Christopher Doyle & Co never seem to miss, always beautiful work. <bites-link>Parker<bites-link> as well.

What is your favourite part of the design process and why?

A cop-out, but it is probably the whole Process™. Strategy and concept, because you're learning something new and trying to create something from that. Development and execution, because it's a chance to see the work come to life.

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What's it like living and designing in Kirikiriroa?

Technically, despite studying here a long time ago, I've only been living here for just over a year so it is still a little raw. I like the position we're in as slight underdogs, I think we get away with a lot more creatively then, say, Auckland or Wellington and there's so much development happening here at the moment it seems like there are more opportunities to do good work. The city of the future.

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Who would be your dream client to collab with?

A cinema or something film-related has always been a dream project. Hopefully something coming up in that space. Failing that, anything packaging-related.

Fav colour, typeface, song, movie at the moment?

Colour, recent work would probably suggest red, but let's go with yellow.Typeface, a cruel question, would love to find a home for something from Bastarda or a more elaborate script like Carta Nueva or Leopardo. Or a chunky Sabbath-y looking thing like Ozik.Song, recently on the chiller side of things Six Organs of Admittance – My Familiar. On the less-chill side, Full of Hell – Doors to Mental Agony. Movie, last trip to the cinema was for Wim Wenders' Perfect Days. Great, great movie.

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