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Today’s installment of the NAPP Interview Series is, in my opinion, one of the coolest yet because it comes from a person that we don’t get to see or hear from normally. Taffy Clifford is an Associate Designer for Photoshop User Magazine, and Layers Magazine. She designs a lot of the really cool layout art for the articles to really make them pop.

Taffy respectfully asked me if I could show off some of her work in place of her photo. She said that is how you would know her best. However, I really think this is to protect the identity of NAPP’s Secret Design Weapon. Her work is so great, I could totally see someone trying to steal her away! To make sure that doesn’t happen, below are six thumbnails each linked to a larger version of her layout work. And, let me tell you, they are AWESOME!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you…

Taffy “The Secret Weapon” Clifford

(click the pics for a larger view of Taffy’s work)

1. What was the path that led you to work for NAPP?

I’m originally from Massachusetts and before moving to Florida, I worked in the construction industry full time and as a graphic designer part time. It was time to change that since I realized how much I enjoyed doing this type of work. I got tired of the snow and cold (although I do miss Massachusetts) and moved to Florida. I had been living in Florida for about 8 years, working various designer jobs before I was hired at NAPP.  I have been an Associate Designer at NAPP for 5½ years.

2. What’s a typical day like for you at NAPP HQ?

I just come in and go to my desk and see what feature I still need to come up with a design for or what articles need to be laid out. Then I just work on what I have for the day.

3. Everyone at NAPP seems to be exceptionally creative in his or her own way, but is there any one person everyone goes to for inspiration or solutions, “let’s ask________, he/she will be able to figure this out?” -from ecaps1 via Twitter

Everyone is very creative and we do ask each other for opinions, but I would say the main go-to person would be our Creative Director, Felix Nelson. He seems to be able to figure out any creative blocks we have and is helpful with his suggestions. I guess that is why he is the Creative Director. Plus the fact that he is not right in the head gives him that edge. ;D

4. Do you have a favorite NAPP design project that stands out in your head more than the others? -from a NAPP Forum Member

I do have a few that I like. One was a Sean Duggan article titled “Metamorphosis” where I did a montage of a woman’s face and a butterfly. Sean was kind enough to mention it on his blog as well and credit my artwork. so that was pretty cool. Another one I liked was for an article about freelance work by Lisa Sage. I really liked the look of that one and the feature article by Robin Williams about type. I’ve attached a few of the front spreads of some of my favorites. Of course I also have some designs that I don’t know what I was thinking, but hey it happens… and no I will not show you those.

5. Do you get to attend PSW? If yes, what do you do while there? If no, what do you do while not there?

Yes I do. I have worked the last 8 shows and will also be working the Orlando show in March. I’m usually stationed at Badge Holder Check-in and Registration and then I cashier in the bookstore. You will find that all of us working at PSW are the employees of NAPP. You have customer service, accounting, graphics, marketing, editors and more, all working together to help put on a successful show. Doing totally different jobs from what we do back at the office makes for a fun week.  I also get to attend some of the classes as well, which is great!

6. If you could trade places with any other NAPP staff member who would it be and why?

I’m happy where I am and have not considered trading places with anyone. I consider myself lucky to have a job doing what I love and doing it here at NAPP. It’s fun, very creative, and challenging.

7. Which is your personal favorite to work with, Photoshop User or Layers Magazine? Why? -from Erik Bernskiold via email

I don’t really think I have a favorite. I like working on them both because they are different and it is nice to be able to switch between the two. When you are done with one, it’s on to the other. Sometimes when the deadlines are back to back and you are working on both at the same time it can be very busy, but I like it that way.

8. How do you start off when designing a lead feature? What do you do to get the inspiration? -from a NAPP Forum Member

I will read the article to get the information I need to help concept. Sometimes it’s easy and you can come up with a design idea just by the title, other times, not so much. That’s when I will turn to art books or flip through creative magazines and websites looking for some inspiration. I have this great book I got from the Museum of Modern Art in NYC that I love to flip through to get inspired. It’s called “Icons of Graphic Design” by Steven Heller & Mirko Ilié. Sometimes just opening up Photoshop and playing around will bring about a cool design. Then as a last resort, if all else fails, I pop some psychedelic mushrooms and let the creativity flow… Kidding!

9. What is the most challenging aspect of designing for the magazines?

Sometimes the most challenging aspect is making it fit. All features are assigned a certain number of pages so if it has an abundance of text and graphics, it can be very challenging. Plus on top of that you want to do a creative design around it. Even on some of the regular articles, it can be like a puzzle trying to fit it onto the pages.

10. Is there one design trend you would like to never see again? If yes, what is it and what would you replace it with?

This was a tough one… I couldn’t put my finger on anything that I actually despised because I love art and I try to appreciate all the different design trends to some degree and get some ideas from them. But in discussing this question with a fellow designer, we both settled on CLIP ART. Things designed with clip art tend to look really cheesy and cheap.

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I want to tank Taffy so much for coming out of hiding for this special interview. Giving us a behind the scenes peek at the design work that goes into each magazine is a real treat! Thank you Taffy!!

Next week – who will it be? Maybe Felix, maybe Leslie, or maybe.. Matt? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!