As of 3 weeks ago, Craig Ward is New York based typographer and illustrator who likes playing with words. He currently occupies a Senior Designer role at Grey in Manhattan, but prior to that he was in-house typographer for CHI & Partners in London. He continues to be represented on both sides of the Atlantic by Debut Art for whom he creates typographic treatments and illustrations for a variety of clients in advertising, design and publishing.

What have you got planned this week?

It’s still a little mental at the moment as I’ve only been in town for a couple of weeks so I’m trying not to make too many plans. For sure though I’ll be viewing some apartments, continuing to try and educate people on how to pronounce my name, and trying to soak up everything I can in this crazy city.

What do your parents think you do?

I’m pretty sure my mum gets it, my step dad less so and nan definitely not. They’re happy with just saying designer – as am I – so it’s probably best not to overcomplicate it. For a while they just skirted the subject entirely when talking to friends.

Who do you look like?

Wesley Snipes. But white, shorter and skinny. We have a similar profile. Sort of. Other than that I’ve been told I look like iRobot. Which sort of sucks.

What’s your favourite sense?

Tough one. I’d have to say sight. Touch and smell are awesome but less useful in a city, and sometimes being deaf would be a down right blessing, at least you can still read. Taste is a close second. I do love to eat.

Tell us something people don’t know about you…

I’ve recorded about a dozen albums and written close to 200 songs. 98% of which were terrible. But they exist.

Did your education count?

Absolutely, I can’t rate school and university enough. Even though the secondary school I went to was very academic and less interested in the visual arts, it still sets you up for life, has helped me to talk and write about my work. It’s also important for just meeting and integrating with people in general. Stay in school kids.

What word can’t you spell?

Quite a few these days apparently. Back home I was rather accomplished at spelling but now it’s all ‘color’ and ‘nationalize’. Hurts so much to see stuff written like that.

Tell us a good fact

There are over 7 miles of benches in Central Park.

What’s Next?

Literally no idea. I’m living a life goal right now so I’m going to have to start thinking of something else to do. For now I want to enjoy NY, do a little traveling and see the rest of the country, Canada and South America as it’s all just that 3500 miles closer. I think, long term, Grey will be my last big agency unless something amazing comes up. In a few years I’ll probably return to the UK to start up on my own but it’s all up for grabs at the moment. Who knows, I might love it here and want to stay. Get a nice wooden fronted home upstate and settle down! I get nervous talking about the future; life has a habit of happening.

What’’s your ‘Plan B’?

There is no plan B. This is all I can do. If the bottom drops out of the creative industries I’m doomed. Maybe I could be a sign writer or something. Or I could go back to uni and study architecture, that’s always fascinated me. Or there’s those 200 songs…

www.wordsarepictures.co.uk