2 Minutes With … Rosie Garschina, ECD at Trollbäck

Rosie Garschina is a multi-disciplinary executive creative director at Trollbäck+Company with a 15-year tenure working in brand experience. She has helped brands such as Amazon, Apple, Spotify and Paramount develop smart and visually compelling solutions that create clarity and distinction.

We spent two minutes with Rosie to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations, and recent work she’s admired.

Rosie, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I have been circling the inner and outer banks of New York City for 20 years. I grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, attended liberal arts college in upstate New York, lived in Brooklyn for 15 years, then recently made the leap north of Manhattan.

A person you idolized creatively early on.

Massimo Vignelli‘s work was and is a big influence on me. The impact he has had on the culture of New York is immeasurable, and his approach to crafting sustainable experiences is a practice I will always admire. 

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

Meeting my husband in the studio and realizing he was a much more seasoned designer than me. His father was the design director of the Boston Globe and had given him years of unsolicited training and the hardware to support his practice. Our healthy competition unlocked a new approach to my work that still inspires me today. 

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

Julie Mehretu paintings. Christian Schwartz typography. Bjarke Ingels buildings. Gary Hustwit films. Lykke Li everything. 

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

Turning Red. The K-pop, anime and Miyazaki influences create a truly magical mix of sound and image. Also Domee Shi‘s directing style is one that has inspired my approach to leadership.

Your favorite fictional character.

Max Fischer.

Someone or something worth following in social media.

@themodernhouse for interiors. @trollback for design. @nicolenajafi for writing. @keetradeandixon for crayons.

How Covid-19 changed your life, personally or professionally.

There is no question that remote work has made me more productive, nimble and a SME in multitasking. My relationship with New York City has also become more disciplined and rewarding.

A recent project you’re proud of.

I am currently working with leadership at Sesame Workshop and Sesame Street to expand their brand experience. It has been incredibly rewarding to partner with an institution that is so invested in their philanthropic work and understands how design can positively impact the most vulnerable.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.

Last year I creative directed a reinvention of the BET ecosystem for Paramount. It was a year-long engagement that involved uniting five global brands and curating one of the most diverse and powerful teams I have ever had the privilege of working with.

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.

Lee Krasner and the era of abstract expressionism on Long Island.

Someone else’s work you admired lately.

Tyler Mitchell.

Your main strength as a creative person.

Perseverance. I am usually the last one standing.

Your biggest weakness.

Perseverance. I care a lot about the work and how it impacts others around me.

One thing that always makes you happy.

Coffee. Electric cars. My daughter’s pigtails.

One thing that always makes you sad.

Lack of representation. Poorly kerned type. Our decaying planet. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in design.

Working with interiors or architecture.