Rafael Esquer

As the founder of Alfalfa Studio’s, Rafael Esquer promotes diversity. He encourages diversity in their design capabilities; virtually every graphic medium is represented in their project portfolio, from print and web to motion graphics and environmental design. He seeks diversity in their clients; doing work for Björk, The New York Times Magazine and Museo del Barrio. And perhaps most importantly, he promotes the diversity of graphic designers. Rafael currently sits on the Advisory Board for AIGA’s Diversity Archives as a curator for the first exhibition of contemporary and twentieth-century work by minority graphic designers. See what else this talented creative is up to in his 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Human, surprising, playful.

2. Who is your creative role model?
Eiko Ishioka. Her art and vision knows no boundaries.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Play with my cats.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
New York City … there is nothing like it.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
A good singer because everyone at home everyone can sing except me (really, not even in Karaoke!).

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I’m not much of a homemaker. But, I like to save interesting pieces of paper (with weird peculiar imagery) that I later use to wrap presents.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
My first edition books.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“I’m not genius, I’m disciplined.”

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
For inspiration I mainly turn to literature. But, if I have to pick a site, it’d be Nobelprize.org. Getting to know about these extraordinary men and women (specially in medicine, literature and peace) and their journeys is inspiring.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
“I never finish anything, I’m just forced to stop working on it” (quoting my friend Kathy Fredrickson from Studio Blue).