Faceout Studio

Faceout Studio is a market leading design firm, specializing in books.
With over two decades in business, we have learned a lot, seen a lot, and want to share this experience with students. Check out our various speaking sessions.

POSITIONING YOURSELF 101: A behind the curtain peek at how agencies are evaluating you

Speaker: Torrey Sharp

Short description: This session exposes what agencies are ultimately looking for in new–hire candidates. This is a no–holds–barred expose of what it takes to stand out in a sea of competitors. Agencies are not simply looking to fill seats and you shouldn’t be simply looking for a job. Unpack what it means to intentionally position yourself, gain the right kind of experience along the way and then present your talent, attitude and personality in a way that will make you irresistible. A sampling of topics includes:  Discover why closing more doors than you open will serve you better / The value of pursuing depth over breadth / Four ways to avoid a meaningless internship / The 5 secrets to presenting yourself and your work / The 10% rule / How to deliver the unexpected (not what you expect).

SHIFT/OPTION/COMMAND: Keys to Design Success

Speaker: Tim Green

Short description: We’ve all seen inspiring design portfolios from famous designers. But have you seen an inspiring portfolio from a designer who isn’t famous? Okay, let me try this again…a great portfolio is only part of the story. A lot of pain, struggle, failure and caffeine is behind each success. This session presents an unvarnished look at the journey from blank screen to victory lap. From college degree to employment. From zero to hero and back to zero…every day since 2002.

MOLT: Getting (un)Comfortable In Your Own Skin

Speaker: Tim Green

Short description: Growth is awkward. Just take a look back at your 8th grade yearbook—yikes. Growing as a designer is something like that, minus the bad cafeteria food. So stop faking it and embrace the awkward. If you want to grow, you’ve got to get UNcomfortable. Abandon your design “crutches” and learn to surprise yourself. Stop drafting off of your past successes and take some risks. This session will show you what professional growth looks like in the natural habitat of the designer.

REAL WORLD TIPS: Creative Process and Design Resourcefulness

Speaker: Jeff Miller

Short description: Are you ready for the real world? Ready to deliver polished concepts in one day vs. weeks? Ready to sell your design to paying clients? Ready for rejection? Ready to prepare digital files with utmost precision to avoid mistakes on the press? Ready to meet your billing goals and stay creative in spite of this added pressure? Jeff Miller has produced for over a decade under very tight deadlines, for very demanding clients and yet consistently maintains the highest level of creative output. How? Jeff will explore the role of process, creative resourcefulness and producing in a high paced work environment. A sampling of topics include: Diagnosing the problem at hand / Qualifying ideas quickly / Organizing a plan of attack / How to get unstuck / Keys for maximizing resourcefulness / How to foster the right mindset for long term success.

Support

Faceout Studio will supply your school with files for a poster and a simple postcard mailer.
You can customize the details and print on your end. 

Torrey Sharp

Principal

Torrey was born in South America and has lived in the US, Canada and Brazil. Prior to Faceout Studio, he worked for a publisher – since acquired by Random House. Torrey began leading the studio in 2002 and over these last 15 years has interacted with 1,000+ prospective employees, managed the workflow for 10,000+ book projects and cultivated hundreds of long standing client relationships. 

Get in touch with Torrey here.

Tim green

Senior Art Director

Tim Green is a senior art director at Faceout, but so far this title has not yielded any senior discounts at the movie theater. Tim graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2002, and he has been designing books ever since. When he is not at his desk designing, he is most likely to be found at home, with his lovely wife and 3 children. If he's not with them, it's a safe bet you'll find him at a coffee shop, probably designing something. Be sure to say "hi" for me.

Check out Tim's work here.

Jeff Miller

Art Director

Jeff Miller has specialized in book cover design for over 10 years. His design has been recognized by AIGA, AAUP, RGD Canada and the ECPA. Jeff's design has also been published by Rockport and Barcelona based MaoMao publications. Jeff graduated from Oregon State University in 2005 with a degree in Visual Arts. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife, Steffani, and their three crazy kids, Penny, Eli, and Claire.

Check out Jeff's work here.

"Thanks for a delightful presentation! The students were buzzing about it for days, and
I think you inspired a few of them to consider book design."

—Sue Vessella, MFA, Interim Dean | School of Media, Culture & Design, Woodbury University
 

"Thank you for giving our students three wonderful presentations. We would be thrilled, if when
in our area, you were regular visitors to our campus and inspiration for our students."

—Eric Chimenti, MFA, Associate Professor of Art / Co-Head, Graphic Design Program / Chair, Department of Art
Associate Dean, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Chapman University
 

"Thanks for visiting and sharing with my class last week. I know more than a few were pretty inspired. It is a very cool way to “give back.” A few students even commented that they hope
they can do something similar in the future."

—Rebecca Roe, MFA, Associate Professor, Department of Art and Design, Azusa Pacific University
 

"Your presentation was terrific, full of invaluable insights."

—Jennifer Bracy, Associate Professor, Visual Communication Design / Art Department, Western Oregon University
 

"Thank you for spending a day with us at Chapman University! The students were really
inspired by your process and professionalism."

—Rachelle Chuang, MFA, Adjunct Professor, Chapman University, Irvine Valley College, Biola University

WE KNOW BOOKS

We'd love to share our expertise with you!