Art & Life with Ryan Trayte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Trayte.

Ryan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
After studying music at the University of Arizona, I worked some internships and then landed a job at the recently-renovated Rialto Theatre, in downtown Tucson. In the summer of 2006, one of my favorite artists, Beck, played a show, and I decided to design a poster just to see if he’d sign it. Before that, drawing and design was just a hobby, something I did as a kid or for my college bands. It worked—he signed it and I showed my boss. He asked if I could do more ads and posters, and over the years I treated some of my favorite shows as design explorations, refining that elusive path from vision to execution. Some screen-printed posters I had done for friends and the bands themselves landed me gigs with Calexico, and then a few local shops in the burgeoning downtown scene.

Since 2012, I’ve been honored to be involved in a lot of new businesses in Tucson, and I’m doing my very best to get Tucson a larger spot on the map, so to speak.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Saywells Design is my design studio, and it’s just me—occasionally some help from the amazing Claire Seizovic. Currently I design a lot of brand identity projects, package design, website design, menus and other collateral for small businesses. It becomes an intensive process that begins with research, conceptual exploration, and then a thorough execution to make that product something unique and special. Sometimes design should be invisible. Sometimes design should help create a beautiful experience.

A big, recurring project for me the last 18 months has been limited edition beer can designs for Pueblo Vida Brewing Company. It’s really special to hear people holding onto empty beer cans as a collection; I design each one as a single expression that really could have a life of its own. I’m very grateful for Pueblo Vida for granting me a lot of creative freedom to try out designs that you don’t expect to see on a beer can.

With PV, with the last three Calexico records, with all the brands I design for Tucson, my goal is to further define and spread the pride of place that Tucson residents have for where we live.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
Design and fine art often go in complimentary directions, but are still siblings, for sure. When exposed to the community for the benefit of the community, it is inspiring and reinforcing. I am fortunate enough to be involved in the early stages of new ventures, and I take that opportunity to encourage further collaboration with more artists and craftspeople. For me personally, it has gotten easier as the craft community gets broader and more connected, and as our cities grow and reinvest in downtown.

We must continue to keep looking out for each other, to keep working together and act as catalysts for growth. We can encourage each other’s crazy ideas. We can keep producing the best work of which we’re able. And we can encourage collaboration of the self-employed, of women, and of people with diverse backgrounds for the best kind of inclusion.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My most recent album artwork for Calexico is in stores worldwide and on their current US tour. A trek to Tucson requires a stop at Pueblo Vida Brewing Co, as no doubt we’ve released a newly designed limited-edition IPA can. Tea from Maya Tea Company, coffee from Exo Roast Co., shirts and hats from Why I Love Where I Live, dinner from Ermanos Craft Beer and Wine Bar, a show at the Rialto Theatre, and a slew of other bars, restaurants and shops that might carry work I’m proud to be associated with.

People can support my work by supporting local shops. It’s as true in Phoenix as it is in Tucson. The more we invest in our community, more of those dollars stay in our community.

Contact Info:

• Address: 218 N. 4th Ave.
  Tucson, Arizona 85705
• Website: www.saywellsdesign.com
• Email: ryan@saywellsdesign.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/saywellsdesign
• Facebook: facebook.com/saywellsdesign

Image Credit:
Betsi Ewing
Feastography

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