Twitter Influencer: James Victore

James Victore is a self-taught independent artist, designer, teacher, author and self-described ass-kicker. His Brooklyn-based independent design studio is hell-bent on world domination as he aims to make work that is sexy, strong and memorable. Given his iconic status in the design industry, we’d say he hits his mark on a daily basis.

In addition to an impressive client list, Victore’s posters have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and are in the permanent collections of the Palais du Louvre in Paris, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, the Design Museum in Zurich and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Victore lectures and teaches regularly around the globe and is a professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His first book, Victore or, Who Died and Made You Boss? came out is 2010. On twitter, he is inspiring and lively, sharing interesting bits of art, design and articles, bon mots and egging his followers on in the quest to always reach their creative potential.

August 16, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Lotta Nieminen

Lotta Nieminen is an illustrator, graphic designer and art director from Helsinki, Finland. She has studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Rhode Island School of Design, and has worked as a freelancer in both fields since 2006. After working for fashion magazine Trendi, Pentagram Design and RoAndCo Studio, Lotta is now a full-time freelancer based in New York City with an impressive client list that includes the likes of Hermès, New York Times, Volkswagen, United Airlines, International Herald Tribune, Monocle, Newsweek, Wired UK and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Since striking out on her own, she’s been earning awards, speaking at events around the world and has had her work in exhibitions, book and magazines. Her rising design star status can only be amplified by her lovely twitter feed. Expertly utilizing the medium, her friendly, cheerful personality and gracious manner shines as she shares her work, travels and thoughts with friends.

August 9, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Eda Akaltun

Eda is a London-based illustrator and printmaker from Istanbul whose work is a fantastic, eye-catching mix of traditional print-making and collage. She developed a love for both mediums while studying illustration at Central Saint Martins, and began collecting paper ephemera, 50s fashion catalogues and old family photos to populate her increasingly detailed compositions. After obtaining an MA in Communication Design in 2010, she joined Heart Agency who represented her for both the UK and the US.

She has since worked for a wide and impressive range of clients including The Telegraph, Harvard Business Review, Faber and Faber and Bafta among others – as well as taking part in a variety of exhibitions internationally. Eda is also a founding contributor to Nobrow and is one third of Butter Collective. We think her colorful, quirky and witty work is delightful and love her twitter feed for staying abreast of all of her projects. There her personality shines alongside her work as she documents her artistic processes, travels and daily life.

August 3, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Kali Ciesemier

Kali Ciesemier is a freelance illustrator who grew up in the Midwest and headed east to receive a BFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art (where she is now adjunct faculty in the Illustration department). Despite looking hand-drawn, Kali’s wonderful illustrations are done digitally. With an apt skill for creating a lively sense of texture and light, as well as a striking sense of color, it’s easy to see how she’s excelled in her field.

Her growing roster of clients include The New Yorker, Harper Collins, Amtrak, LA Times, and the Boston Globe. Ciesemier previously worked as a concept artist for Big Huge Games. Already popular on twitter, Kali’s friendly and fun personality shines as she chats amiably with friends and followers about work and the details of life. Clearly, in-tune with the design community, Kali happily gives props to her fellow creatives, and shares in the background, process and thoughts on her projects.

July 27, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter influencer: Christopher Bettig

Christopher Bettig is an L.A. based artist and designer with a body of work stretching from fine art to design, hitting many mediums and genres along the way. For seven years he worked as an Art Director at Urban Outfitters, developing product and fascinating store installations. He’s currently an Art Director at Google, shifting seamlessly between the tactile and the digital. It’s probably safe to say he’s created many of the design elements you interact with on a daily basis.

His art has appeared in solo shows around the globe and also sits in several permanent installations, books, magazines and blogs. On twitter, he lets his personality shine as brightly as his work, quipping left and right and engaging in friendly conversations across the twitterverse. Of course, it’s also a great place to stay abreast of his many projects and travels.

July 12, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Juan Carlos Pagan

Juan Carlos Pagan is a Designer, Typographer, and Art Director living and working in New York City. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2006 with a B.F.A in Communication Design he worked on a variety projects ranging from identity and typeface design to exhibition and book design. He recently graduated as part of the inaugural class of Type@Cooper, the Postgraduate Typeface Design Certification Program at The Cooper Union. Employed previously at G2 Branding & Design and MTV, Juan is currently a designer at DDB and a Partner at the Brooklyn based Type foundry Pagan & Sharp.

Collaborating with design industry favorites, including Pinterest’s now famous logo and brand identity, it’s no wonder that Pagan’s star is so steadily rising. His twitter feed is a great place to connect with the friendly and inclusive designer, who not only shares his own work and quips, but those of his design colleagues and friends.

June 22, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik