Casey Peckio
Name: Casey Peckio
Graduation year & Degree: 2016, BFA
Major: Graphic Design
Marywood Clubs/Activities: Men’s Soccer Team
Current Occupation: Products Graphic Designer
How long at current job: 1 month
Current Personal Website: www.caseypeckio.com
Instagram: @caseypeckio
What was your favorite part about studying art at Marywood? The professors – there was a sense of them guiding yet allowing us to mold ourselves as designers. I felt that they were genuinely our biggest supporters and our biggest critics which is something I entirely needed and appreciated during my time there.
How did your art education at Marywood help your career? My art education at Marywood didn’t turn me into the designer I am, but it gave me the necessary skill set to pursue who I wanted to become as a designer as well as if I wanted to change directions. There’s a necessity in that skill set as a designer; it allows you to be nimble, precise, and confident when progressing in your career.
What attracted you to this career path? Honestly, it was because, to myself, I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere else. I felt forced in every subject, but with art-related things I felt more comfortable. My attraction to the career path came into play when I realized Design went far beyond the pre-made idea I had of it in my head. The ability to pursue your interests in design was attractive to me. It was like a career path within a career path.
Did your career path match your vision of a career path? What’s different? To a certain degree, yes. I had to “pay my dues” with certain jobs I wasn’t a fan of. I think often what is done is, you graduate and you put yourself on an imaginary trajectory to get a dream job immediately. Sometimes that is possible, sometimes it isn’t, and the sooner I accepted that it was a marathon, not a sprint, the further I would be in progress. I am happy that I’ve built the necessary relationships and skills to be in a role that I am able to now have the projects and tools to build my portfolio to continue climbing the ladder to achieve that original vision.
What is your favorite thing about your current job? My responsibilities have increased tenfold from my prior job as well as the content of the job, which is what I’ve wanted now for the last few years. My previous job had me primarily working in the web space, but my current job allows me to work with physical product and be more illustrative which has been my preference as a designer and illustrator.
Are you currently working on any interesting side projects? I am fortunate enough where I built a strong freelance career in college and post-grad, doing the areas of design I loved most in skateboarding and streetwear industries, as well as outdoor brands. There are a few side projects I’m working on that I can’t talk about, but one I can talk about is a children’s book! I will be the author and illustrator for a 1/1 book I’m fortunate enough to do for fun.
What are some of the biggest rewards in your career? Oh man, there’s been a whole lot. But two stick out in particular, the first one occurred in my junior year at Marywood, when I got my first client. A brewery based in Beacon, New York that is still going strong, who’s logo I was fortunate enough to do. That was the first “big scale” type of project that I saw come to life and be on physical products. The second was my career being the driving force to me moving from my hometown in NJ where I knew everything, and everyone, Salt Lake City, Utah for 2.5 years where I knew nothing, and no-one. I then went on to meet friends that I’ll have for a lifetime and explored the mountains throughout the state, and it set me up for the role I’ve been looking for in Product Graphics that I’m currently in.
What’s something that would surprise people about your day-to-day? Genuinely I don’t know what would be surprising in the era of 2020 (and 2021), but the WFH (Work From Home) lifestyle now has made me extremely superstitious, not sure why. I need to try and start the day with certain things, or it may make it out of whack. I try and run every morning, sometimes I can, sometimes I gotta work, it varies, but I MUST read, even if its 5 pages. I try and wake up, and not touch my phone and go straight to reading a book, after feeding Doug, my cat (I usually have to specify that, otherwise people think Doug is just some random guys name).
What inspires you? I am heavily inspired by comics and skateboard culture, it’s what was the driving force to my love for illustration and ultimately design as a whole.
Anything else you’d like to share? When I graduated in 2016, I had the goal of working for Nike. I want to design their soccer jersey’s and tell that story, and I’m still nowhere near ready to be in that role. However, I continue to have that goal, and I am still working towards it, it won’t happen overnight. I’m enjoying the ride right now and taking in and learning everything I can.
When you set your goals, set out to achieve them how you see fit, but when you achieve that goal, make another one, and never be satisfied or complacent with where you are. Design never stops progressing, and neither should you (both as a designer, and a human being).
Any advice for current art students at Marywood? A student who can take critiques, is a successful one. School won’t be the last time you deal with it, and it’ll likely be the easiest time to deal with it. There’s an important mindset of keeping your perspective open to change, as you are likely not looking at your design the same as others are. Your classmates’ and professors’ insight are important and critical during your initial progress as a designer. Take it with a smile, be motivated, keep designing, and don’t be afraid to fail.
View additional examples of Casey Peckio’s work at www.caseypeckio.com
“I am heavily inspired by comics and skateboard culture, it’s what was the driving force to my love for illustration and ultimately design as a whole.”
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Graphic Design – Bachelor of Fine Arts: Design
Our graphic design program at Marywood will introduce you to a variety of design disciplines. Conceptual development, technical skills and professionalism are emphasized. Students have the opportunity to work independently, with partners, in small groups, with professionals in the field and real clients. Regular class critiques and portfolio reviews are stressed throughout the program.
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