We were lucky to catch up with Suzsea B recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Suzsea, thanks for joining us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?
Innovation, while maintaining the craft of the work, is always at the forefront of my mind when I begin designing. I aim to create solutions that address challenges and bring fresh, meaningful perspectives to the table. To achieve this, I start by researching what I call “in-house references”—design solutions successfully applied to similar project types. This approach provides a solid foundation of proven strategies.
Next, I explore “outside references,” drawing inspiration from anything that resonates with the brand’s mission, story, or project goals. These references can be as diverse as an old photograph, a piece of architecture, or even a personal experience. While they might seem unrelated at first glance, I’ve found that connecting seemingly disparate ideas often leads to the most engaging and innovative solutions.
By merging structured research with free-flowing exploration, I create mood boards that tell a unique story that feels authentic, exciting, and perfectly tailored to the project at hand. This balance between craft and creativity is the guiding principle of my design process, helping me push boundaries while staying true to the essence of the work.
When I was creative directing the visual identity and rollout for Gogo Studioz, a creative studio specializing in podcast and audio production, I developed a comprehensive branding system. This included designing the logo, visual identity, and typography system and building a website highlighting the studio’s mission, services, and client roster.
A standout element of this project was the dynamic logo animation I created for the website’s homepage and social media platforms. This animation enhanced the studio’s online presence and added a modern, engaging touch to its branding. I also researched and developed reference boards for promotional photoshoots, focusing on set design, styling, and photography to ensure the visuals aligned seamlessly with the brand identity.
One of the design’s most innovative aspects was using raw, colored-pencil typography. This tactile, handcrafted element added a unique and personal touch, reflecting Gogo Studioz’s creative process and commitment to authenticity. By pairing these organic textures with sleek, contemporary design elements, I crafted a branding system that balanced artistry with professionalism, perfectly capturing the studio’s dual commitment to storytelling and innovation within the podcasting industry.
The final deliverables—a cohesive visual identity, logo animation, and branding framework—gave Gogo Studioz a distinctive and versatile identity. It allowed them to stand out in a competitive market while staying true to their creative ethos.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in East Bay, CA, and currently based in New York, NY. My creative practice is a vibrant exploration of digital and analog mediums, spanning various forms, including graphic design, creative direction, website design, works on paper, and video art. Each of these forms reflects a unique facet of my artistic vision.
A dynamic interplay between meticulous craft and experimental play defines my artistic process. My work often embraces a dreamlike quality, evoking emotional depth to transport viewers into otherworldly realms. Whether through the tactile nature of works on paper or the immersive experiences of video art, I aim to create pieces that invite contemplation and connection.
I aim to conjure visuals that transcend the ordinary and speak to the viewer’s imagination. Every project is an opportunity to blend technical precision with storytelling, crafting work that feels intentional yet transformative. My work ethic is rooted in the desire to create thoughtful, impactful design solutions across various mediums.
My passion for design was sparked at fifteen during an apartment reorganization. My mother and aunt—both creative influences—recognized my eye for design and encouraged me to explore this interest further. This led me to connect with a local interior designer, and by sixteen, I was offered an interior design assistant position. That early experience taught me the value of creative expression and gave me the foundation to build my identity as a designer.
My time at the School of Visual Arts further refined my work ethic and solidified my creative practice. College was filled with all-nighters, learning curves, and challenges, but I embraced them with gratitude. It taught me to lead with purpose, set clear goals, and build healthy work practices and boundaries while pushing myself to deliver strong, creative results.
A key aspect of my growth has been the practice of reflection. I continuously ask myself deep questions about my work’s positive and negative outcomes. Receiving feedback is crucial to my process, allowing me to stay agile and open-minded. By assessing feedback objectively, incorporating it where needed, and moving forward with clarity, I refine my approach and continue to evolve as a creator.
Mentorship has also played a pivotal role in shaping my work ethic. Connecting with older and younger generations allows me to contribute to the broader creative community. I’ve had the privilege of meeting inspiring individuals whose wisdom has enriched my practice, and I’ve also experienced the joy of mentoring others. As a teen arts mentor with Free Arts NYC, I helped young people build confidence and creativity, pushing my work in new directions as I did so.
Ultimately, my work ethic is driven by gratitude, a love for experimentation, and a desire to have a positive impact. My goal is to leave people inspired and curious and to continually refine my practice by learning from both my successes and setbacks.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Design Communities and Mentorship – Early access to design-focused communities, either online or in-person, could have accelerated my learning and helped me connect with mentors who shared valuable industry insights and feedback. Being a part of creative groups or forums allows you to grow by collaborating and receiving constructive critiques.
Design Business and Branding Resources – As someone who has worked in creative roles, learning about personal branding, business practices, and financial management for freelancers or small business owners would have been invaluable in structuring my own creative projects and future ventures.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Several books, essays, and resources have significantly impacted my design and entrepreneurial thinking. They have shaped how I approach creativity, leadership, and navigating the business side of creative work. I posted a RECAP on my LinkedIn page, which stands for Read, Environment, Community, Art, and Play. Here are some of my favorite resources I have compiled over the years.
https://lnkd.in/guWYDTE4
The People’s Graphic Design Archive
The People’s Graphic Design Archive is a crowd-sourced virtual archive of inclusive graphic design history. The Archive includes everything from finished projects to processes, photos, correspondence, oral histories, anecdotes, articles, essays, and other supporting material. You’ll find all sorts of information and links to other relevant archives.
https://lnkd.in/g7npPSQx
VolunteerMatch
The VolunteerMatch website allows nonprofits and volunteers to connect. Bringing people and communities together through service VolunteerMatch recruiting solutions for nonprofits.
https://lnkd.in/gDAdB_hv
Surrealism-Plays
Surrealism-Plays is a site devoted to the history and creative works of the Surrealist Movement and the anti-tradition of avant-garde theatre.
https://www.deformal.com/
Deformal
An artist-run platform dedicated to promoting critical conversations in contemporary art. Conducting artist interviews, curating online and offline exhibitions, and hosting monthly virtual residencies.
https://www.criterion.com/
Criterion Collection
Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been dedicated to publishing influential classic and contemporary films worldwide in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements.
https://lnkd.in/guZhyC6d
World Hope Forum
This platform aims to federate to bring together the major players who have developed new industrial, economic, and more virtuous processes, where the center is people.
The World Hope Forum’s primary goal is to create a holistic global platform for exchanging and expanding knowledge innovation. They conduct fascinating studies on countries and their respective Indigenous practices
Able Journal
Able Journal is an image-based journal at the intersection of art, design, and sciences, responding to the complexities of today’s society.
https://www.domestika.org/en
Domestika
Domestika is the fastest-growing creative community where the best creative experts share their knowledge and skills through professionally produced online in several languages.
https://readings.design/#home
Design Readings
A collection of recommended texts, both historical and contemporary, about and around graphic design: curated and edited by Jarrett Fuller. This site is a free library of introductory essays, books, and texts on graphic design theory, criticism, practice, and related fields like cultural criticism, photography, and architecture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suzsea.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzsea____/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susiebush/
Image Credits
Darin Cooper for the personal images.