Embracing the Challenge of Change with Craig Franke March 27, 2014
The March 20, 2014 Lunch with a Visionary focused on the topic of change, and how to embrace it, rather than fear it. Speaking to a packed table, Craig Franke, Principal and Creative Director of Franke+Fiorella, related how change had impacted his life as a creative, and how it continues to affect us as designers.
Craig recounted how artists like Braque, Picasso, and Cézanne (themselves agents of change in their time) influenced his early work as a painter and collagist. He talked about the incredible technological advances that have occurred during his design career, with an example of how the fax machine was a huge innovation when it first appeared, and yet now, even email is considered “old tech” by the Millennials.
And although we must accept and adapt to new tools and the speed of current workflow and deadlines, Craig reminded us that some things never change: the importance of communication, craftsmanship, and developing lasting relationships.
Summary by Brad Norr, photos by Jay Larson
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He started his own design studio, Oryx & Moth, doing branding, art direction and design for clients big and small. Meanwhile he was the chair of the Solopreneurs Committee for AIGA MN (2022-2023) and served on the Design Student & Alumni Board at the University of Minnesota (2010-2013). Prior to that he worked at TSG, a design agency in Robbinsdale, for clients including: Target, HealthPartners and Crate & Barrel. He's also had a short stint designing for financial institutions (PNC Bank, Citibank and BBVA Compass). He started out designing and art directing photo shoots for multiple national salon chains throughout the US and Canada. And has had mediocre hairstyles since.
His interests vary widely with the season but he always willing to chat about DIY projects, soccer, LEGO, minimalism, FIRE, AI, technology, saunas, traveling, camping, parenting, etc.