Rob Farmer: From Half-Baked Sketches to New York Times Covers

Rob Farmer, a motion designer based in Melbourne, has created illustrations for both a New York Times Magazine cover and a New York Times Book Review article on AI and the em-dash, commissioned by Matt Dorfman. The illustration for the Book Review started as a rough concept of an em-dash tattoo, which Dorfman refined. Farmer also worked on the Design Museum's Future Observatory Journal, a nostalgic return after visiting the museum while living in London. Raised in Geelong, just an hour from Melbourne, he began university at 27 following gap years in London, a ski season in Utah, and retail jobs. After graduating, he secured an internship at a Brooklyn brand agency, where he spent three years. Frustrated by client constraints, he began sharing personal projects on Instagram to escape agency limitations. His creative process includes quick sketches stored in an Instagram planning app queue, which he later completes using Cavalry App for its procedural features. He draws inspiration from natural patterns, interpreting them as design algorithms. Farmer encourages others to showcase their work, arguing that perfectionism can hinder visibility, although he recognizes that some creations may remain personal. His portfolio showcases a variety of motion design endeavors.