About

I am Tabetha Chaney,  a graphic designer and illustrator based out of Ann Arbor Michigan. I graduated Summa Cumm Laude from Eastern University with my BFA in graphic design in 2021. I have experience in print, and production design for screenprinting, as well as freelance digital and print design collateral. 

I am a visual storyteller and use shape,scale, and color to  make useful and beautiful things. The world is filled with utilitarian things that are useful but not exciting. As well as things that are beautiful but have no practical value whatsoever. My philosophy is that aesthetics and function are intrinsically linked, and should be together whenever possible. As a designer and illustrator, my goal is to work on a large range of different design collateral, everything from packaging design, to designing communal spaces, branding, to web and application layout. Ideas are plentiful and I am always chasing the next one.

email: tabethadesigns@gmail.com

phone: (734) 787. 3060

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabetha_illustrates/

Artist Statement

My creative drive is a pet, and she’s still in training. I interact with the world like everything I touch is creative potential and that context is dependent on how that creativity is utilized. This perspective has inspired me to work in a broad spectrum of mediums . I am not attached to a medium so much as I am attached to the act of summoning something from my mind's eye into form or function. I choose my medium based on the emotive force of the visual, and strategize towards visual storytelling using the form. I create visual puns and commentary, I take these observations from my surroundings. Coincidentally I am a representational artist that illustrates from observation of physical objects. I draw a fine line between a story and a still life. I have a strong aesthetic of whimsical, hazy watercolor illustration in combination with a solid practice of  vector slinging. 

My work is designed to be seen in application. Graphic design is commercial art, which is meant to have everyday application and this philosophy of work extends across my entire body of work. My design, fabrications and illustrations all relate to each other in that they are meant to be handled. What I make  does not belong against a wall or in a display case. But like myself, without even thinking about it, take up space and demand attention. 

I continually revisit and reference mythology in my body of work,  Drawing upon the common themes, and narratives of world myth  to inform the work. I have a passion for the study of world mythology. I am preoccupied with exploring their context as it relates to our current society by appropriating the stories and themes to create work that is relatable and recognizable by drawing on the familiarity of these stories.This long standing interest has been my muse and its influence can be seen in the doctrine of signatures, Language and story. I can reference “Seduction in a suit”, “ Cronus sleeping under Tartarus” and “ Goddess calling cards'' as immediate examples of work that feature scenes and gods from mythology. One might think of it as an expression of oneself through embodying a vestige of our primordial nature. My process is like a fever, nights of sleeplessness and emphatically devotion to craft. A majority of creation takes place at the dead of night in complete comfort and in solitude.