Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Tabb.
Ed, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
An aspiring artist since first grade, I took every art class available in grade school, high school and college. Before my graduation from Northern Illinois University with a BFA degree in Visual Communication, I was recommended by my college professor for a designer position at an ad agency in Oak Brook. From there I worked in a number other agencies until I went out on my own in 1986. I have been involved in all kinds of creative design projects and have completed hundreds of magazine ads, promotional brochures and catalogs and most other advertising pieces. A year after I finished college, computers took my industry by storm and I was forced to learn computers on my own, but was soon creating and hosting websites and designing advertising graphics for use on the internet. I have also designed billboards, books, publications, trade show display pieces and even did an illustration for the backdrop of a traveling amusement park ride. Many of my favorite projects have involved product development and package design. A manufacturer of radio controlled toys once noticed an ad I had designed and then inquired about it from the publication to find out who had created it. The manufacturer contacted me then and it started a relationship that has allowed me to create many, many products for that company. Most projects start with a blank product prototype shipped to me. I then usually apply my creative skills to creating the look and feel of the product including naming the product, creating a custom logo and/or a cartoon character for it, developing product graphics (decals) and selecting color, giving change suggestions, etc. Then the box is designed along with instruction manual or other supporting materials. Product photography is also something I do so I have complete control over the final presentation of the product and packaging. The final part of these projects sometimes includes communicating with the companies in Asia that produce it. Sometimes when no interpreter was available, I had to communicate my directions using pictures only.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While I do consider myself a fairly good designer, I have never thought of myself as much of a salesman. I have never been comfortable promoting myself. In trying to get more business I have tried many methods with various degrees of success including door-to-door, direct mail advertising, trade show attendance and others. The best method seems to be when I get referrals… when one client speaks of what I’ve done for them to another who then contacts me.
Please tell us about Tabb Design, Advertising Art & Graphics.
What I think sets me apart is that I have no other staff. Clients work directly with me… the one doing the creative work. I have a good ability to listen to a customer and get a good sense of just what they want and usually “nail it” with my first proposed concept or design. I think what I specialize in is making companies and/or their products look even better than they at first appear to be. Many times a company will come to me for a certain project and when that is complete we find other areas that I can be of help to them with. Sometimes when I am creating an ad for a company I may suggest that a fresh look to their logo might help them appear more current. One business had me design the graphics for their vehicles as well because they wanted to carry the theme of their printed materials onto their vehicles too.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was in first grade, I drew a picture of a robin. The teacher applauded me for it and suddenly I was the “class artist”! That year and for quite a few years after that, I participated in and won first place in the Fire Prevention Week Poster contest! I think I may still have my plastic trophies somewhere….
Contact Info:
- Address: 17N105 Marney Drive
Hampshire, IL 60140 - Website: tabbdesign.com
- Phone: 8476832994
- Email: edtabb@icloud.com
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