Meet Dave Szalay | Visual Storyteller, Designer, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Szalay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking calculated risk is the secret to my successes. I’ve never done well when I’m bored or under challenged, so I’ve learned to venture into the unknown, and it has always paid off. I didn’t succeed immediately every time, but I always learned and advanced in some way. I’m essentially overcoming my insecurities with each leap of faith. It’s scary, but necessary for my progress. My biggest risks seem to come about every ten years. I got my first job in graphic design around age 20, started my own business at age 30, I pivoted toward higher ed. teaching around age 40, subsequently went to grad school (twice). And I reinvented myself as a professional illustrator around age 50.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has evolved over more than three decades. At first, I was a graphic designer in a very commercial sense. I was responsible for branding and communications material that persuaded, informed, enhanced, and communicated messages for business, institutions and non-profit organizations. I began at a time when these things were done without computers, on a drawing board. It was not easy to adapt and evolve with early technology, but it was necessary for survival. And there were no classes because no one was an expert, so there was a lot of D.I.Y. learning. That taught me to be resourceful, curious, driven, and resilient. All great traits for an artist. My career advanced into leadership roles pretty quickly and after several upper management roles within the creative field, I set out on my own and built a small interdisciplinary creative agency that offered visual communications and branding strategies to all types of business and organizations. It was very successful until the aftermath of the 911 attacks devastated small businesses. My reaction was to take my experience to the classroom where I could give back to up and coming designers. That led to more flexibility on my calendar which allowed me to explore my earliest and most important artistic influence, illustration. Particularly mid-century storybooks and advertising art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I never grow tired of exploring the the trails, forests, waterways and wildlife found in Ohio. For me, nature serves as inspiration and therapy. I’m all about activities that involve the outdoors so things like hiking and biking are on my regular schedule. I’d share that with visitors. As far as food, I’m pretty casual so I’m always up for really good locally owned coffee, pizza, ice cream etc. And I’m a big fan of fresh goods from farmer’s markets, so anything that’s in season is a must. I also really enjoy dining spots near water so I find places on Lake Erie or next to a creek or river really appealing. It’s so cathartic to be near water, trees, big rock formations, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife Krista has tolerated every one of my career and lifestyle ventures. She has been uplifting at every challenge and open minded with every crazy idea I come up with. I only have the mental and emotional stamina to face the challenges I do because of her boundless support and understanding. Secondly, my agent and network in the world of children’s publishing has been a guiding light in recent years. I’m where I am professionally because these people believed in me and continue to do so to this day.

Website: https://www.daveszalay.com

Instagram: @daveszalayillo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-szalay-65118a8/

Twitter: @daveszalay

Youtube: @daveszalay2659