Meet our New Art Director: Reva Graves!
Meet Reva, our new, insanely talented, Art Director! Reva has been here for only a few short months but is already kicking it out of the park! She is great with coming up with new ideas, designing, and her positive attitude makes her a joy to be around! Get to know Reva more below!
Name: Reva Graves
College: Bellevue University, Southeast Tech
Hometown: Frederick, SD
Role: Art Director
Birthday: August 14
Instagram handle: @revagraves
Coffee Drink of choice: Caramel Latte w/ Almond Milk
HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT TSH AND WHAT DREW YOU TO US?
I’ve been following The Sampson House since they opened their doors. I have always been impressed by the modern and sophisticated way they market their clients. Their design aesthetic has always been different and eye catching and the way they have embraced digital mediums (web and social) and are still able to create creative content has been innovative for our area. I was excited to see that they were hiring an Art Director and I jumped at the chance to join the team.
WHAT ARE 3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE SAMPSON HOUSE?
Creative, Chic, Modern.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? AND WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SO FAR?
I am currently working on a website for a canned wine distributing company called “Belly Dragger” and am excited to put together a more user friendly solution for their website.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WAKE UP AND GO TO WORK?
My family and producing work our clients can be proud of.
WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK?
When I’m not working, I am spending time with my son, volunteering as a board member of Falls Area Singletrack (FAST), or riding and racing my bikes.
WHEN DID YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN ART, DESIGN AND MARKETING?
I’ve always had the creative bug. From a young age I have always enjoyed art projects of any sort. When I was in high school I took a graphic communication class where I taught myself design software that was available at the time (photoshop, quark) and also leaned how to develop layouts by hand and burn single color plates to run on an old school AB dick printing press. From that moment on I was pretty much hooked.
WHAT’S A CURRENT ART/DESIGN TREND YOU SEE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
⁃ Socially-conscious design the creates culture and shapes company values.
⁃ Diversity - more campaigns that are culturally broad, inclusive and represent all types of identities, cultures and ethnicities.
⁃ Sustainable packaging and environmentally conscious brands.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CLIENT TO WORK ON AND WHY?
I’ve always wanted to design a line of product packaging for a craft beer company. Cans, boxes, point of sale displays, tap room design, etc.
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Never quit learning.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS -
Creative, Resourceful, Adventurous.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR POSITION?
I love the variety of client work and the ability to take my time to be thoughtful about how and why I propose a design solution for each individual project and client. I also enjoy the creative challenges I have been able to be involved in so far. I've really been able to flex my "creative muscle" since starting my position at TSH.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE BUCKET-LIST TRAVEL DESTINATION?
⁃ I’d like to visit:
⁃ Every national park in the US.
⁃ The Pacific Northwest.
⁃ Bentonville - for the mountain biking.
⁃ Hawaii or any tropical paradise.
⁃ California - all parts.
⁃ Europe.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I’d like to sit down and talk to my dad one more time.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
22Ten.
3 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT YOU:
⁃ I enjoy being outdoor more than indoors.
⁃ I am not very good at just relaxing, I always have to be busy with an activity or doing something productive.
⁃ I enjoy drawing and illustrating and manage a website/Instagram called A Doodle Daily. (@adoodledaily, adoodledaily.com)
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO ON YOUR PLAYLIST?
I am a fan of 90s grunge like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. so that is always my go to when I can’t decide what to listen to. Otherwise I am a fan of just about every genre ranging from top hits to country.
GO-TO TV SHOW?
⁃ New Girl.
⁃ How I Met Your Mother.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
My definition of success is definitely different when it comes to my personal and professional life, but I would say professionally, that at the end of the day if you created your best work and presented your client with a creative solution for their project that they are excited about, that is a win. Personally, I think success is something that always changes as you grow as a person, but the most important thing is to always be true to yourself, be a decent human and do and create things that bring you joy.
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE HERE AT TSH?
⁃ Experience, I’ve been in the design/marketing industry for over 15 years.
⁃ I started my career in printing so I have extensive knowledge about the printing process.
⁃ I pride myself in being a lifelong learner and am willing to learn and try anything new that comes along.
⁃ I feel like I am a well rounded designer and can jump from any medium with ease, whether its print, digital, web or other.
