Heather Rieder shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Heather, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to start my day with movement — usually yoga, a walk, or a quick workout, to wake up my body and clear my mind. From there, I assess the creative projects I’m working on, and organize priorities for the day.
I shift into a creative headspace through creative warm-ups, ideation, and gathering visual inspiration. This often involves building moodboards, sketching studies, exploring composition and color, and creating collages.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a full-time Visual Designer, as well as an Artist and Illustrator. I design and develop visual design systems and creative materials for responsive websites, landing pages, ad campaigns, web assets, social content, branding, packaging design, print publications and marketing collateral.
My art practice is constantly evolving and changing. I primarily work with acrylic, gouache, and oil pastel, exploring themes rooted in storytelling, myth, symbolism, and dreams.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a creative person with a vivid imagination, I’ve always had a unique perspective. I’m naturally curious and inquisitive, but studying art taught me to slow down and really observe what I see and experience in my surroundings. Seeing through the lens of light, value, color, form, line, and composition, allowed me to experience the world in a new way.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep going. Persevere through the challenges and setbacks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; failure leads to growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I’ve often noticed tension between fine art and graphic design. The idea among some fine artists that creating commercial art is selling out, and that working within constraints compromises the integrity of the work. Graphic designers typically work within the constraints of client briefs, project goals, and brand guidelines, which can be seen as limiting their creative freedom. Working within constraints is often where innovation happens, and historically, artists have worked for patrons and by commission from collectors, kings, and churches.
Commercial art and art reproductions are sometimes seen by traditionalists as inauthentic compared to selling only original artwork, but reproductions have value as well. They help create income sustainability, and they’re more accessible, allowing people who can’t afford originals to still support your work. Quality prints also take skill and require thoughtful reproduction, design, color correction, and materials selection.
The worlds of fine art and graphic design have long intersected, and the lines are increasingly blurring. They can inform, challenge, and inspire each other in meaningful ways. Regardless of the purpose, both fine art and graphic design require vision, intention, skill, and creative thinking.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I have a healthy work/life balance and the freedom to flow through my day without pressure. When I’m working on a variety of creative projects that inspire me, while also allowing space for rest and reflection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heatherriederstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherriederstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherrieder/
- Other: https://heatherrieder.com
