Troy Monroe will be a giving a talk in Koopman Commons on February 19th, at 6:00 PM in association with the opening for the Creative Grab Bag exhibit in the Silpe Gallery at 7:00 PM the same night.

What did you study at the Hartford Art School and when did you graduate?
I studied Visual Communication design (graduation in 2003).

What do you do now, please tell us about your current work.
I've settled in to what I would consider the ideal job at co:lab (based in Hartford), which is a design studio, brand house and identity foundry. We create and then weave together all sorts of things that have graphical and language roots such as identity systems, collateral, advertising and interactive media. We start with concept and allow the execution to grow out of a really smart idea. When we meet folks ready to engage and be a part of process we help them celebrate their evolution.

We're also working on a major initiative called Design is Love. We're building a site where our industry is encouraged to be creative, share perspective in a meaningful way and link creatives to those who need our talents most, non-profit organizations.


Any thoughts or advice for current students?
Work as hard as you think possible, then work more. Students at the Hartford Art School have the unique opportunity to surround themselves with peers and faculty members who are willing to support and (more importantly) push them to find greatness. Take advantage of the experience and the chance to learn on the academic side.

And to the VCD students: Take it seriously. Make the commitment to design early on, Understand that there's more to the craft than just making things pretty.


What else do you do besides art and design?
Life is rooted in art and design. Everything we do, from the time we wake to the time we return to bed, allows us to draw inspiration. Whether walking in the woods (with my wife / daughter and two boxers) or thinking about future plans for a modern house, I know there's a strong possibility that those experiences can shape my next idea. I try to look harder and understand more, all while enjoying the pleasures found in the details of daily activities (which include reading, exercising, eating, laughing and dreaming).