The Success of Designer Tati Vitsic in New York

The crayons and colored pencils of her childhood traced Tati’s successful journey as a renowned international graphic designer. With a client list that includes major brands like GAP, Lucky Brand, Reebok, and Macys, she needed much more than luck to succeed in her field. Academic preparation, entrepreneurial skills, and talent are all important ingredients for achieving success. Unsurprisingly, her brand, products, and stationery line “Pommy New York” have earned her awards such as the “Outstanding Achievement Award” (Interactive Media Awards).The Brasilians: Tati, you became interested in design during childhood, participating in many art exhibitions at the age of 13. Tell us what sparked your interest in the arts?Tati Vitsic: Drawing has always been something natural for me since childhood, and I started taking drawing classes for adults when I was just 10 years old, at the Art Studio of the “Tijuca Tennis Club.” My mother is an artist and my father is an engineer, so I believe I inherited their artistic vein. By the age of 13, I was already participating in Art Salons for adults, like the prestigious Salon of the “Naval Art Club” in Rio de Janeiro.TB: Was there any moment in your childhood that sparked your interest in art?TV: Since I was little, I participated in many children’s drawing contests and won some prizes, like a chocolate cake from a frozen food store. That was certainly an encouragement for me to keep pursuing my dream of becoming an artist.TB: Tell us about your journey as a designer in Brazil:TV: While I was still in school, I created stickers to sell, calendar covers, sets, and costumes for theater plays, t-shirts, etc. Professionally, I started working as a graphic designer while I was in college, studying Visual Communication at PUC. I worked as a graphic and web designer for cultural and non-profit institutions and corporate companies, such as Petrobras and Globosat. Later, I had my own stationery business in Rio, specializing in custom cards and invitations. Additionally, I always try to incorporate my illustrations into my graphic design work.TB: What brought you to the United States?TV: I first came to NYC in 1996 to take some courses at the School of Visual Arts in Computer Art, Illustration, and Graphic Design. I visited a few times as a tourist, but I always wanted to stay longer! Until one day, in 2006, I finally found a company to sponsor my H1B visa as a web designer. Since then, I’ve been going back and forth a few times due to visa issues.TB: Tell us about the work you do here in the USA:TV: For a few years, I worked at the internet agency Cake & Arrow, where I participated in web designs for brands like: Citibank, Metlife, Kaplan, Ivanka Trump Collection, among others, and received some renowned awards in the field. After more than 10 years working as a web designer, I decided to change careers and go back to college. In 2014, I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile/Surface Design. Since then, I have worked in the Fashion and Home Products industries, and I have worked for: Roxy, Reebok, Macy’s, Lucky Brand, Burlington, Forever 21, Walmart, etc. Additionally, I also work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, creating: logos, visual identity for brands, stationery, posters, cards, banners, etc. One of my illustrations for the #Vaccinated campaign on Amplifier.org was just selected and awarded in a poster design challenge to promote vaccination against Covid-19. I also develop work as a visual artist and have participated in several exhibitions at FIT Museum, Brooklyn Art Library, Figment NYC, and LIC Arts Open.TB: Tell us about your company Pommy New York:TV: As soon as I graduated from FIT, I launched my textile/surface design and illustration brand Pommy New York (www.pommynewyork.com), which has a colorful, fun, whimsical, and youthful style. My prints can be seen on products such as: clothing, bags, scarves, cushions, towels, notebooks, among others, and have been sold to Gap/Old Navy, Walmart, Kohls, Rainbow Shops, Joann Fabrics, Uniform Advantage, etc.TB: What difficulties have you faced as a Brazilian artist living in the United States?TV: The hardest part is undoubtedly the visa issues. It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain a visa to work here legally. Even with work permission, it is still complicated to enter the market in NYC without having contacts, because the competition is really high. Not to mention that some companies require a green card to be part of the job selection process.TB: Which artists have influenced your work?TV: When I was a child, the Brazilian illustrator who influenced me the most was Daniel Azulay, and internationally, Walt Disney was my inspiration. Since my mother is an artist, I had contact with art books from an early age, and I admired Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Matisse, Picasso. At PUC University, I was greatly influenced by the incredible illustrator Amador Perez and the children’s book illustrator Guto Lins. At SVA, I had the incredible opportunity to study with the renowned designer Milton Glaser, creator of the slogan “I ❤️ NY.”TB: Where do you find inspiration?TV: I have been in love with NYC since 1996, and this city is a living source of inspiration, due to the diversity of people and cultures from all over the world. I like to draw inspiration from books, artists, magazines, websites, photography, movies, streets, etc. But I also find inspiration in other aspects of life, nature, and travel, keeping my eyes and mind open. A simple walk in the park, by the river, can be so relaxing that it opens my mind to new ideas. In fact, inspiration can come from anything, as long as we look at life with sensitivity and attention to detail. The challenge is to transform what we see into art.TB: Please give advice to those planning to start a career as a Graphic Designer.TV: A career in graphic design is very broad and allows the designer to work in different industries, so there are countless possibilities to experiment. Try to do what you love, and enjoy the process from what you learn in college to professional life. If this is your gift, if you love what you do, go for it, study, be very dedicated, and fight for your dreams! The life of an artist is not easy, but it is much harder not to be an artist.ILANA LIPSZTEINJournalist & EntrepreneurInstagram: @ilana_wipilevents2@aol.com