A Little About How I Work…

I like to make the complex seem simple. When something is designed poorly, it’s frustrating to use or understand. When something is designed well, you may not notice that it’s been designed at all. I get under the hood of a project to understand all the moving pieces, and then I tinker until I’ve optimized functionality. I know I’ve succeeded when I hold the finished product in my hands and I can’t imagine why it was ever so difficult because the form seems inherent.

Then I make it lavish. After I’m done with left-brain strategy, I am extravagant with my creative effort to make its every appearance enjoyable. While the muscles and skeleton of a design should move without your knowledge, I want its skin to dazzle and delight you.

…And Where I’ve Been

I started working when I was thirteen, and I’ve never had a job I didn’t like. I’ve always worked with smart, interesting, talented people. I’m just lucky I guess. This site represents work I’ve done as Design Director (Gift division) at Chronicle Books and Creative Director at Storey Publishing (an imprint of Workman).

Visit me at commonthreadstudios.com to learn about my services as an editor and book packager.

alethea@commonthreadstudios.com