artoberVA Spotlight: Paddy Hams

We are so excited to introduce you to the designer who created artoberVA’s 10th anniversary logo: Paddy Hams! He is a Richmond-based graphic designer and illustrator who specializes in thoughtful brand identity, apparel design, and simple, clever illustrations.

CultureWorks: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey as a designer?

PH: My name is Patrick, but I go by Paddy Hams. It's a nickname given to me by friends that's just stuck with me throughout the years (plus it helps with searchability as an artist). I've always been interested in art and illustration – it started with me trying to draw my favorite cartoons and skateboard graphics from CCS catalogs on elementary school book covers – but I never pursued it. I took 1 or 2 art courses at the University of Richmond, but graduated with a major in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law before becoming a project manager at a software company. I thought I'd continue to do art as a hobby, but then I started getting requests from friends to do a poster for their band, make a logo for their new business, or create some artwork for their house. Thankfully there's a ton of great YouTube videos and podcasts out there, because that's how I learned how to use Adobe products and about the business side of being creative. I eventually built up a portfolio and got a job at WORK Labs as a graphic designer. I worked there for a few years, gaining the invaluable experience of designing full time for a broad range of clients. After a few years at WORK Labs, I left to go into the exciting, and sometimes a bit scary, world of freelancing and I've been doing this as Paddy Hams full time for over 4 years now.

CultureWorks: What inspires your work, and how would you describe your creative style?

PH: My work is inspired in part by a million different everyday things from the wonky, hand drawn business card of a local tire shop to the vintage tobacco tin I use as my pencil holder, but I think the biggest inspiration for my work goes back to those weird, fun illustrations printed on skateboards that I saw as a Tony Hawk Pro Skater obsessed little kid. It all felt so foreign and cool to me as a kid in southwest Virginia. My creative style is a reflection of my interest in vintage designs, hand-made things, and screen printed graphics and the result is bold, simplified, and clever design. My favorite kind of art has always been something that makes me stop and think, "I could draw that," but also has some kind of twist that I wouldn't have thought of. I hope my style brings that same feeling to others.

CultureWorks: What was your initial reaction when you were asked to design the artoberVA 10-year anniversary logo?

PH: I was surprised! I've been following CultureWorks and artoberVA for years now and had no clue I was on your radar so it was a surprise when you all reached out. I'm very honored to be trusted with the 10-year anniversary logo. I love creating things for local businesses and organizations, especially when they also give back to the community so it was a big privilege to be involved in this project.

CultureWorks: Were there any specific visual elements or messages that you felt were essential to include in the final logo?

PH: A decade doing anything is a big deal so I knew we had to push that 10 up to front and center stage for the logo; it couldn't be a tagline under the logo or some small reference. We tried a few variations, but I'm glad we landed on the logo that most clearly communicates and celebrates 10 years of artoberVA (I also love the secondary festive, party version of the logo wearing a hat and surrounded by confetti). 

CultureWorks: What’s next for you creatively? Are there any projects, exhibitions, or collaborations you’re excited about?

PH: I'll be participating in "Hello My Name Is...," the upcoming international sticker exhibition presented by Little Giant Society at Gallery 5 on September 5th. I'm in the very early stages of branding and label design for a NA beer startup that I'm very excited about. I think it'll give me a chance to create some really fun illustrations and it's always exciting to help shape a business' visual identity from scratch. I just dropped off an illustration I created for an exhibition at Bird Girl Bottle Shop in Newport News, which reminded me how much I love creating physical artwork so I'm hoping to do more of that soon. It's always freeing to create something without the goal of marketing/messaging/client interaction in mind. 

CultureWorks: How can people follow your work or get in touch with you?

PH: People can follow me on Instagram @paddyhams and they can see more of my work and get in touch with me through my website, paddyhams.com