NIGEL ZEFF

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Who is Nigel Zeff, both personally and professionally?
I’m a very laid-back person in all aspects of my life. I don’t like over complication in life or as a designer. I tend to look for the most practical solutions or problem solving methods. I’m a focused person and have a deep need for simplicity and discipline.

Think back to your childhood. What did you hope to become as an adult?
It was always in the cards for me to do what I do as an adult. I remember being a kid and studying the books, magazines, and records in the house. I was always trying to figure out how these magical objects were made. Opening up CD booklets, vinyl record gatefolds, books, and magazines was an immersive experience for me as a kid. I still remember what they smelled like back then as I sat there reading every line in the lyrics and liner notes. I would stare at the fonts and try to figure out why the fonts on our Apple computer were different than the ones on these objects. I used to make my own magazines with white printer paper about whatever topics I was interested in at the time and make collages on each page using other magazines or things I would draw and write. I wish I still had those!

Tell me about your educational background and training in terms of your career path.
I went to Otis College of Art  and Design in Los Angeles for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts (Graphic Design) and a minor in art history. I didn’t really expect to study graphic design when I got there because I didn’t even really know what graphic design was, but once I saw samples of the students’ work who were in the classes above me, I knew that was the missing key.

How would you describe your personality?
Relaxed, determined, silly, and I love to laugh.

Tell me about a couple of the roles you held prior to joining BASIC Magazine and how you ended up joining the team.
When I graduated college, I felt the need to explore a bit, so I moved by myself to New York City and got my first design job working at a studio called GB65. I worked on campaigns for major fashion brands like Versace and Dsquared2. I also got to work on a few projects for Madonna, one of my absolute favorite artists. I actually got to make one of my dreams come true as a 20-something having just graduated from college, which is really bizarre, but in the best way. I then got offered a job working at Flaunt Magazine here in Los Angeles. Though I liked my job in New York, I didn’t really love the city life and I always wanted to work at a magazine so I took the offer and moved back. After working there for a few years, I got a position at World of Wonder Productions (the company that produces RuPaul’s Drag Race) and met RuPaul who hired me to work with him as a freelancer doing design and photo retouching. Since I was a freelancer at that point, I took another job working for Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s company, and have been working as a freelancer with both of them ever since. I have a habit of going to newsstands and bookstores to look at publications and discovered BASIC on  one of my routine trips. When I got home with the issue, I discovered that the production was happening in Los Angeles so I searched around to find out who was behind the beautiful magazine. That’s when I found out they were looking to hire a designer. I sent an email to Viktorija, the editor-in-chief, and to my luck, she asked me to meet with her. This was in 2018 and we’ve been working together ever since.

What in your personal life has influenced you to choose your career and what people and/or things inspire your creative efforts?
I tend to find inspiration in horror movies, fashion shows, video games, and music. When I see creativity that blows my mind, it inspires me to think outside the box and break more rules in design.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I’m such a fan of art and design that when I step outside and look at other things people have created, it makes me really excited to produce work.  But more straightforwardly, the colors, textures, and feelings that are created through design work is what keeps me excited to make it. The question of wanting to know what something has the potential to be is the most exciting thing—sometimes even more exciting than the actual finished product.

Tell me about your experience working for BASIC and how your role as a graphic designer has pushed your career forward. What have been some of your favorite moments and/or challenges?
I love working with interesting content and that happens every time I sit down to work on a layout or editorial with BASIC. I am such a fan of the photography and the work the team creates. It’s extremely inspiring for me to be working so closely with such creative people and content.

What do you hope to achieve moving forward at BASIC? I’d like to push myself more to learn and practice different things that I wouldn’t be able to imagine at this moment.

Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned?
Personally, I believe everybody has creativity in them—even in areas of life that don’t seem to require creativity. There’s always a creative way to problem solve, but I also think people are easily overwhelmed by the idea of creativity, and as a result, we doubt ourselves or second guess whether or not our ideas are worthy. It can be tough to overcome that, but if you think of some of the most creative things you admire, eventually you realize that they all started as bat-shit crazy ideas that perhaps more traditionally–thinking people probably would have shot down. It really takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to share your ideas, stand by them, and see them through. I really admire people who do that.

When reflecting on the past issues, what have been two of your favorite spreads?
Oh, this is tough! If I had to choose two, they’d be: the Megan Fox cover story because it’s just so classic and iconic. And second: the Circus Paradox spread photographed by Viktorija. I had so much fun working with her on that layout and it’s my favorite spread to look at.

Tell me about what it was like being in front of the camera this time, rather than behind the scenes.
I was much more at ease in front of the camera than I expected I would be. I thought I’d be nervous and awkward, but once I got up there, I felt completely fine. I attribute that to Viktorija’s ability to direct a shoot!

When you are not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
If I’m not working, I’m either at the gym or outside with my German Shepherd.

What are your words of wisdom for someone starting out in your field?
This might not be the flashiest answer, but the most important thing to learn besides design skills are business management and how to build a brand for yourself. After that, practice effective communication so that you don’t waste yours (or the client’s) time. Build relationships because people are more likely to hire you if they like working with you as opposed to the person who has better skills, but isn’t much of a team player.

Tell me one interesting fact about yourself that not a lot of people know.
I’m crazy about dinosaurs! Actually, I’m sure everyone who knows me knows that.

Name the last three songs you listened to on your Spotify.
“Wasted Angels” by Post Malone, “Liability” by Drake, and “The Roof” by Mariah Carey.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi!

What are your top three fashion brands?
Issey Miyake, NIKE, and Maison Margiela.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People with bad gym etiquette.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Listen more than you speak.

What’s your drink of choice?
Beer.

What is your favorite book or what are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte for the second time. It’s an incredibly written history book about dinosaurs. My favorite book ever though, is Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I have a green thumb.

What TV show can you watch over and over again without getting tired of it?
Dragon Ball Z.

How would you describe your job in one word?
Lucky.

How would you describe your boss in three words?
Creative, talented, and kind.

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