#TBT: SPD-U Throws it Back to 1997 Student Competition Silver Medal Winner Yarrow Earth Hock

In 1997 as part of our 3rd Student Competition, Yarrow Earth Hock won a Silver Medal of Excellence for his work as a student at the School of Visual Arts under instructor David Carson (see his award-winning work below as well as in the full gallery of winners here). 

Hock's exceptional work over the years is quite the inspiration. Spanning across printed mediums, branding, packaging design and digital work, he always has the quality of his work in mind. Hock currently resides in Los Angeles along with his Emmy award-winning wife, Laura Keseric, and a daughter who loves to write and illustrate her own stories (perhaps a future SPD-U competition applicant)!  We caught up with him to see where life has taken him since his SPD Student Competition Silver Medal win back in 1997 ...

SPD-U: What are you currently up to and how can you best describe your work?

YARROW EARTH HOCK: My job is "making art, work." This daily mantra helps inspire me to create everything from printed and digital publications, production design, illustration, music packaging to brand development, commercial art direction, contemporary fine art consulting, and even my own fine art sales. I love what I do and being able to share it with the world is equal parts exciting and gratifying. 

HOCK: A truly defining moment in my career was beginning to work with WOMEN FOR THE WORLD, a 501c NFP. My goal is to maintain a trusted relationship with this client and then parlaying this relationship into inspiring the owner to collaborate in creating a for-profit product. For example, Leilani Bishop's fragrance, which funnels a percentage of the proceeds into her NFP.

HOCK: A. Be a responsible designer and facilitate the needs of your clients 

B. Never start a freelance/contract job without a contract or written agreement outlining: The worth of your services, what it is you are delivering, when you are delivering it. A policy on revisions, studio costs/day. And a termination-of-contract clause for any reason with a non-refundable 50% down payment upon delivery of your first round of designs

C. Strive for authenticity.

D. If the client is undercutting your day rate, be diligent about keeping the ego in check and continue with your own high standards of professionalism.

HOCK: It was such an honor to be included in the SPD annual. As an SVA student, it gave me the confidence I truly needed to successfully interview and start my career.