Next up in our Pepper Talk series is Colette Sybert! Colette is a Junior Designer on our commercial team. She joined in January 2024.

1. Do you have any nicknames?
Not really, just a first name kinda gal.

2. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Go to the gym (I know, I’m crazy).

3. What is your favorite part about working as a designer?
Being able to use my creative skills for a living! I am so lucky to have a career that I enjoy and to be a part of such a talented team of people.

4. How did you get started in this industry?
I grew up drawing all the time and after years of denying that you could be creative by using a computer, I enrolled in the graphic design program at Towson and was hooked.

5. What are your favorite tools of the trade? What are the worst?
InDesign is definitely my favorite, I love typography! I also enjoy working in Illustrator. I don’t think any programs/tools are “worse” than one another, but I definitely have my preferences.

6. Do you have a set process when working on a new design project?
Always start with research!

7. Where do you draw inspiration from?
Pinterest, Dribbble, and I love looking through design books. There’s just something so nice about actually flipping through the pages of something.

8. Rapid-Fire Round:

Caffeine or no: Absolutely.

Sweet or savory: Savory for sure.

Favorite TV series: Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and Gilmore Girls.

Favorite place to travel: Anywhere – I love seeing different parts of the world.

Hobbies: Horseback riding, thrifting, reading, and cooking.

9. Okay, admission time… Which designers are you following on your IG feed?
Giorgia Lupi, Rachel Willey, Michael Bierut, Ellen Lupton… and so many others!

Thanks for meeting Colette. As always, stay tuned for next month’s Pepper Talk to meet another member of our team!