Club Notes Profile: Steve Habersang

In the inaugural version of our Club Notes newsletter, we asked Steve Habersang, Senior Art Director at Taylor Design, a few questions about his life and his career. You can check out Steve’s design work on his personal website, and his illustration on Instagram @habby_art.

CADC: When did you realize you wanted to go into a creative field? Tell us about that moment.

SH: I never had a lightbulb moment. For as long I can remember, I’ve always loved to draw and be creative. When I was in high school starting to think about my future, I knew I wanted to make a living pursuing those passions. Graphic design presented that opportunity.

CADC: What do you consider your first serious opportunity in your career? Looking back on it, how did it go?

SH: My internship with Taylor Design in Stamford when I was a junior in college. That experience confirmed that graphic design was the right path for me, and that I really enjoyed the small studio environment. The internship went so well that I was offered a job once I graduated. Almost 20 years later, and I’m still there.

CADC: Comparing that first opportunity to what you’re doing now; how have you evolved?

SH: I’ve been lucky enough to work for a great design studio all these years, and grow my career within the company. Starting off as an intern and over time moving up to senior art director. While I have come a long way, I’ve never stopped learning and strive to become a better designer every day.

CADC: If you had to share one project that you feel most proud of, what is it? Tell us about it.

SH: There are so many projects I’ve enjoyed, but one in particular was for Ideal Fish, a land-based, saltwater fish farm that opened in Waterbury, CT. Being a new local company, it was exciting to help them build a brand from scratch. Over the course of a year I designed their brand identity, marketing materials, signage, website, food packaging, and other items. Since then their company has grown quickly and they have been really successful. You can now find Ideal Fish sold in many of high-end restaurants and stores in the Northeast.

CADC: Throughout the course of your career, what has been the most important lesson you’ve learned?

SH: Stay curious. Ask questions. Learn new things. It’s the best way to fuel creativity.

CADC: Are there any current designers or creatives that you admire?

SH: The excellent work done by Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, and others at Pentagram always inspires me.

CADC: If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice when you were just getting started, what would it be, and why?

SH: I would have told myself to keep drawing and painting as another creative outlet outside of graphic design. I recently got back into drawing a couple years ago, and I realized how much I missed doing it. It’s opened up a lot of new opportunities for me, and we’ll see where it takes me in the future.

Club Notes Profile