TK Staff Profile: Janet Faust

Janet Faust is the Creative Director and Designer for TK Business Magazine. She is the former Sr. Marketing Manager at Pepsi and the current owner of House of Big Prints LLC.

How do you stay ‘on brand’ with the projects you are assigned?

I always start with an open mind. First I read the writer’s complete submitted article to understand the message it is telling and then I view submitted visuals. Usually while I’m reading the article, I start to imagine how I can communicate the intended message. Admittedly, there are times when I’m brain dead, but a good discussion with the publisher or editor can help guide the way too.

How did you begin designing?

Does drawing with crayons and pencils before I could write words count for when I began designing? I went to college for journalism and loaded up on hours in advertising, marketing and graphic design. I’ve been fortunate that my career opportunities kept me in that lane. 

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m constantly looking for inspiration from anything and everything. I draw from colors, textures or objects in nature to images, coordinated colors, layouts and fonts in printed or electronic materials and anything in between. If a visual makes me stop and look twice, then I’m absorbing it and thinking how I can adapt that design element in what I do. It may be something as simple as a poster in a retailer’s window or a throwaway junk mail brochure but I’m always looking for inspiration.

Who is an artist you look up to?

While in college, I was fascinated with Van Gogh’s style of painting. I tried to create my version of his famous sunflower painting. When finished, mine looked like it came from a paint-by-number kit so I quickly eliminated painting as a medium I would pursue.
Today, I have great admiration for Rollin Karg, a Kansan who is nationally and an internationally-known for his magnificent blown glass and metal art sculptures. His forms, his color usage, his variety of shapes and objects leave you contemplating your own personal interpretation and that just “wows" me. 

What is your favorite story that you have designed for TK? Why?

Actually, my favorite is a magazine, rather than a story. The Fall 2016 issue, which celebrated 10 years in publication, was also the debut of a new look. While the new design was a collaboration of staff input, I loved bringing it to life.