Tyra Douyon - April 18, 2023
We are excited to have Designer Kaylee Shuler as part of our Rearview Advertising team!
Kaylee’s love for logos, typography, and branding are just a few of the interests she fosters. At Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) she studied Advertising with a focus on Art Direction. She enjoyed brainstorming campaigns and creating designs and copy with an intended message. She also focused on researching market competitors, target audiences, and client needs, with the intent to bring her ideas to life across different platforms. She excelled at mastering the basics of modern design principles in visual culture, digital communication, and color theory/application which she applies to her role at Rearview every day.
Aside from academics, Kaylee is also an avid traveler who loves adventure and trying new things. She had a short career as a flight attendant and was also a custom jewelry designer, both professions allowed her to use her amazing presentation skills and personable attitude to focus on the safety and needs of her passengers and clients.
When she’s not chatting online with her typography design friends, creating logos, or analyzing new marketing trends, you can find her exploring art museums and galleries, practicing calligraphy and hand lettering, hiking, and learning more about gemology. Kaylee sat down with Digital Content Editor, Ty Douyon, to tell us more about her favorites outside of the office.
KS: Okay, there’s two ways to take this.
TD: (laughs) I’m scared.
(Both laughing)
KS: There’s this website called Flyhyer.
TD: Okay, I’m going to go on it.
[Ty proceeds to type in the web address]
TD: Personalized aviation?
KS: Yes! There’s an air-suspended airplane.
TD: Oh, it’s moving. That’s cool!
KS: Yeah, it works as a very strong visual cue of what the services are and what is offered. And I just feel like the layout is very clean and modern.
[Ty moves her cursor down on the website and watches the plane take off across the screen.]
TD: Oh wow!
KS: Yes! There’s a good flow to the website.
TD: Did you happen upon this website randomly?
KS: I will randomly search award-winning website design and that was one I stumbled on and it stuck with me.
TD: I love that! I’ve never seen that on a website. Okay, so you said you have two websites. What was the second one?
KS: Huh? Oh, I said there are two ways to take it. I didn’t know if you meant like that or my favorite website to be on. (laughs)
TD: You can tell me both!
KS: Hmm, that’s why I went with web design. (laughs) I feel like I use more apps than official websites.
TD: True, that makes sense. I would say mine is YouTube though. It’s becoming a little addicting with the shorts. (laughs)
KS: I feel like I have some nostalgia for YouTube because I didn’t know any of the Adobe programs when I started at SCAD. It’s kinda expected that you already know all that.
TD: From high school?
KS: High school I guess.
TD: Okay? (laughs) What high school would have you learn Adobe?!
KS: At SCAD they don’t teach you how to use programs. They expect you to already know it.
TD: From where?
KS: A lot of people worked on Yearbook and stuff like that so they had some experience that way. I was very involved in high school, but that wasn’t one of the things I was in. But yeah, actually Youtube was how I taught myself how to use them. Either that or going on [the Adobe programs], troubleshooting, and figuring it out.
TD: That’s weird that they don’t just offer a class for that. Like a certificate…just one beginner class… an overview of Adobe?
KS: They gave us a class on website design because they knew none of us were familiar with coding.
TD: Interesting SCAD.
KS: Having studied advertising that’s a very hard question for me. But one that stands out is the #LikeAGirlCampaign.
TD: Is that from Playtex or…
Together: Always.
KS: Yes! To me, it’s a simple phrase that started an empowering movement… having young women showcase different stereotypes and how they could break them and how wrong they are.
TD: I remember that one and all the commercials that came out. When I was in high school, I was in dance. I wasn’t super sporty, but I had a lot of friends who were and they’d hear some stereotypical comments.
KS: Even when I was at SCAD, I took a sculpture class and a packaging design class. We had to get wood chop certified and I had one professor who didn’t think I could get certified.
TD: Because you are a woman.
KS: Yes. And because of how I dressed apparently. I was a fashion marketing major at the time, so I would go to classes dressed up with nice clothing and accessories…jewelry, scarves, hats. (laughs) My professor underestimated me.
TS: Wow! The fact that she is a woman surprises me. I expected you to say it was a male professor.
KS: I know right!? But, she told my project partner, who was a guy to help me with everything. What’s funny is I actually had to help him… there was math involved. What my professor assumed really bothered me because when people question me and my abilities it just motivates me even more. I made sure that during class time to always show I was doing the woodworking skills and no one had to help me.
Another notable mention is the Absolute Vodka campaign. The one that lasted for 25 years. It would always showcase the silhouette of the bottle and because of that, it became one of the most recognizable bottles in the world. I mean the fact that that had legs to last 25 years too. I don’t know for sure, but that’s probably one of the top campaigns for as long as it lasted.
TS: Were these commercials just showing the shape of the bottle and the shadows?
KS: There were different variations, but it was all in print.
TS: Okay, that’s impressive!
KS: Yeah! One of my projects in school was to create off of that campaign and so we all had to create our own print ad for it.
TS: Oh okay! I like that!
KS: Yeah. (smiles)
KS: Ooo. Ummm, I feel like I could say this for each category. (laughs)
TD: I mean hey, do it! I’m a foodie too so I have a few. (laughs) I love Thai and sushi the most.
KS: Oh yeah! Thai and Indian and sushi are my top three. There’s actually an Indian restaurant in Decatur. Let me look it up.
[Kaylee starts typing on her laptop.]
KS: I haven’t been there in a year. I hope it hasn’t closed. My sister went to Emory and it’s right around the corner. Oh, Cafe Bombay, that’s it!
TD: I’ve heard of that.
KS: It is so so so good! (smiles)
TD: I’ve got to put that on my list for sure.
KS: I actually learned how to cook Indian food from one of my friends in college. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m picky but I’m kind of picky about the Indian restaurants I like to eat at. (laughs) Also, there is another restaurant. I’m not sure how to pronounce it.
TD: Another Indian restaurant?
KS: No, it’s sushi. It’s B-I-S-H-O-K-U. It’s SO good.
TD: Okay, I’m going to check that out too! There’s this new Korean fried chicken place that you might have heard of I think in Alpharetta or something.
[Note: Ty was referring to the restaurant, Kimchi Red.]
KS: Yes! Yes!
TD: The food looks so good. I’ve got to go.
KS: I will eat all the food. I love trying new restaurants. When I would travel I always had to know where to go to eat! (laughs)
TD: Yes, it’s important! (smiles)
KS: One of my favorite movies is called About Time.
TD: With Rachel McAdams?
KS: Yes. I like the lesson behind it, pay attention to the small details and the importance of staying present… because that is something I struggle with. I always want to think ahead. It’s a touching movie.
My favorite feel-good movie would probably be Crazy Stupid Love—
TD: I love that one! I’ve seen it so many times.
(Both laughing)
KS: Or The Holiday—
TD: I’ve also seen that many times. (laughs)
KS: I loved it. I will watch it year-round.
TD: It’s so sweet and I like Jack Black in it. He’s hilarious and awesome, but he’s not the “typical-looking” romantic lead I guess is what people say.
KS: But you fall in love with his character.
TD: Yeah, I love him…he can play anything! He’s great in that movie. I’m a huge Rachel McAdams fan and I like her time-traveling movies. If you loved her in About Time you’re going to love her in The Time Traveler’s Wife.
KS: Seen it! Yes! (laughs)
TD: It’s so good. My sister even has it on DVD. (laughs)
KS: I went through a huge phase with watching Criminal Minds.
TD: I have a friend who’s a die-hard SVU fan.
KS: I like a little bit of the…
TD: Suspense.
KS: Yeah (smiles). I also thought Schitt’s Creek was really good.
TD: I didn’t finish it.
KS: Some of my friends and I have inside jokes based off that show.
TD: I’ve got to find it again because a lot of people [say it’s the] best comedy. I’ll watch a drama, but if you recommend a comedy I’ll give it a try every time. Have you ever seen Modern Family?
KS: Love it! (laughs)
TD: I’m watching it now on Peacock.
KS: I haven’t watched the last season yet.
TD: I love Modern Family because everyone, even the kids, every single person carries the show. There’s always a throwaway character, someone who can leave and you wouldn’t really notice, but on Modern Family, you would notice if someone wasn’t there and that’s what I love about it.
KS: Another one of my favorites is Parks and Rec.
TD: Oh my gosh, I love that show. (laughs)
KS: The fact that Chris Pratt wasn’t a regular on the show originally and now I can’t imagine the show without him? Crazy. (laughs)
KS: I’m from Georgia, South of Atlanta, so Atlanta sports teams are definitely my thing. I wish we still had a hockey team.
TD: Wasn’t it called Blaze?
KS: We had two different ones. It was Atlanta Flames and then the Thrashers.
TD: Oh okay, maybe the Blaze was the lacrosse team.
KS: I also like going to the Atlanta Braves games. My dad’s a huge baseball fan so I grew up going to a lot of games.
TD: Oh yeah, the season just started so you gotta get over there. I am going to an Atlanta United game for my dad’s birthday and I’m really excited. People go crazy at these games. (laughs)
KS: Cool, I’ve been to one of their games. Yeah, there are some die-hard fans!
TD: I heard it’s a good time. (smiles)
KS: Recently it’s been Hulu.
TD: Yeah.
KS: I’m in a phase of watching old shows.
TD: Netflix is losing people.
KS: It’s a hit or miss. (smiles)
KS: I have to stick with dogs. I like cats though, but they are more of an elusive roommate versus a dog where you get greeted by them.
TD: Would you want to get a dog one day?
KS: Oh absolutely!
KS: It’s hard to choose because I love quite a few designs I’ve created. I’m proud of some of the videos and logos I’ve created, but I’ve been able to have fun with some of our social media clients. The Elevation Chophouse social graphics stand out to me. I’ve been able to create some fun designs and even learned how to edit food photography!
TD: This is great! I love the ones you do for Elevation and they definitely stand out for me when I see them. There’s a fun, fresh vibe to them for sure!
KS: Thank you!
KS: I’m a bit of a typography snob– (laughs)– but probably Bodoni. It was actually designed by a printer who pulled from the typeface Baskerville and it has vertical stress and emphasis, and unbracketed hairline serifs. The contrast of thick and thin lines gives it a bold presence and a sense of elegance. I just love it! (laughs)
TD: These aren’t the right words, but I like the caps on top of the letters. You just don’t see that regularly on most things.
KS: Yes, it’s the variance of the lines that makes it striking.
TD: The one logo I’ll always know is Coca-Cola. It’s so unique no one else could even rip that off. That would be cool if one day you could create an iconic logo for a large company.
KS: Oh yeah! One day I’m going to create an official typeface. I’ve been pretty close, but I’ve never actually submitted it anywhere.
TD: You should do it. That’s a really great thing to put on your bucket list and then check off. You can brag about that. (laughs)
KS: Yes! (laughs)
TD: Okay, hear me out, but I’d love to show some of your designs for this interview. (smiles)
KS: (laughs) Okay, let me see…
[Kaylee starts searching on her phone].
KS: Here are a few things I’ve designed.
TD: Kaylee! These are amazing. I can’t believe you did all this by hand!
KS: This is one I love as well. It shows the progression of a design.
TD: So you can draw too. (smiles)
KS: Yeah, kind of.
TD: (laughs) You can draw. Look at that portrait in the middle!
KS: You know actually some people have asked me to draw their tattoos.
TD: You know what? Most of my tattoos are words. I’m looking into getting some designs next, but I’m really particular about who I get to draw them. You may get a call from me soon!
(Both laughing)
KS: Instagram. I don’t know how to describe why I like Instagram. It’s just my go-to.
TD: It’s not as chaotic as Tik Tok. It’s not as old as Facebook.
KS: Yes, because I never get on Facebook. (laughs)
TD: I never got on Tik Tok because I can’t handle the rotating videos. (laughs)
KS: You lose track of time.
TD: Yes, so much. I like Instagram because it feels like a scrapbook to me.
KS: When I was doing hand lettering I also got inspiration from it. I would get recommendations about a new ink to try and things like that. It was very helpful for me and it helped me grow to become better at hand lettering.
TD: I like that part of Instagram too. When I was a teacher, I was on teacher Instagram. I followed all the big accounts and I got ideas from them. A lot of the teacher influencers would sell on teacherspayteachers.com or their own websites and you can buy a lesson plan and worksheets. It was a whole community in and of itself and some teachers would team up and create conferences and workshops. I like that part of Instagram too where you can learn from it.
KS: It also got me into fountain pens! (laughs)
KS: It’s probably still not a dollar. (laughs)
TD: I know… nothing is a dollar anymore. Not even at the dollar store!
(Both laughing)
KS: There was a time in New York City when you could get a dollar slice of pizza.
TD: Yes, there was a place called one dollar slices or something like that. Hmmm, let me think of the name. 2 Bros Pizza!
KS: Uh huh, I know what you’re talking about.
TD: So you had it? Was it good?
KS: I mean I also enjoy pizza like all foods. (laughs) I would rather get food for a dollar, but I have such a sweet tooth. Any candy that’s not chocolate is also a favorite.
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