Dominic Maglio
Q What do you do?
“I am a designer working in digital and physical realms.”
I focus my design practice mostly on typography, identities, and rendering.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Growing up I was fascinated by graffiti as my uncle was a writer in Queens, NY. This gave me a great understanding of typographical structure at a young age, and unknowingly this led to my interests in graphic design. I started my college career studying Engineering, but felt like I was missing too much of the creative side, and enrolled in design classes at Parsons. I enjoyed it a lot and then officially started my studies at School of Visual Arts, and I recently graduated from their BFA Design program in May 2024.
While in school, I started my freelance practice and have been actively working with clients since then.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out compared to others because I have a strong knowledge of typography and being able to properly use a typeface for what the designer intended is crucial. I believe each font has its own unique purpose, usage, and feeling, so it's important to understand that so one doesn't end up misusing type. Also, I've tended to stay away from trends, or finding inspo in places like instagrams explore page, and doing so allows me to create more unique feeling work.
Q What are you working on right now?
Currently I am working with a skate collective creating their identity system, and I'm doing merch designs for another brand alongside my own projects. Another cool project that I am wrapping up this summer is a video game featuring a full 3D roam-able environment! It contains its own little branding/visual system.
Q What’s your style?
My style of design is rooted in juxtaposing and contrasting typography and visuals which reflect myself. I like to let the type drive and speak for itself, and I think a great example of this is a recent post of mine and the skate collective identity mentioned above, which is project #4 on my website. Project #2 on my website is a great example of all my skills combined into one. (3D, custom typeface, branding, packaging)
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I wish I received more type design only projects, e.g. creating a font for a client or creating word marks. Additionally, I wish I could focus more around the fine arts realm.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I find myself spending too much time on projects for other people, and wish I prioritized my own projects a bit more, because those ones are usually what keeps me the happiest.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Organizing my daily scheduling, or maybe a personal chef from time to time. I love to cook, but sometimes after designing all day I am simply too tired :(
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
To trust the process and stick with your gut! When switching from engineering to design I had some self doubts, and I would also add in to start learning + researching design by reading more books.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would want to seek insight or advice for how to attain larger clients for freelancing in the future. Not only that, I would be curious how realistic of a field type design can be? I know that in NYC there aren't too many type design specific studios, and I'm sure it would be a bit difficult getting a gig there.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I am seeking freelance work or jobs in the branding industry.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I like a client that will trust my vision even if it may not be what they first expected. I worked with a client for their personal branding system, and he didn't like the first direction I showed him, so we worked for two months trying to find something very different which he had in mind, but he ended up choosing the first direction I ever showed, which may or may not have been a slight waste of those two months.
Q: What is your rate?
I believe that my rate varies on what the project is, but a standard branding package including edit rounds, standard guidelines for type/logo usage, mockups, and final deliverables would start at $750-$1250. The cost would go up depending on how long the project takes. Non-profit or people in need are most certainly at discounts! I often do work for free, or very little money if I really like the vision, or if it is for something community based.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Please check out my work: www.dominicmagl.io & send all inquiries to: dm@dominicmagl.io
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I would recommend a friend of mine, Daniel Stettner. His site is www.data-pl.us
I think all of his work is great.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Biking Chilling Enjoying my alone time!
This member profile was originally published in June 2024.