"I drew the sketch of NYC from the rooftop of my building sometime over the past couple of [Covid] years," says Rob Wilson of this work. "I'd often go there during the pandemic to look at the city as it was, and sketch in the afternoons. This is a record of that time and of one of those afternoons when the city was quiet."
An illustrator and graphic designer originally from West Texas, Rob Wilson spent more than 22 years creating award-winning work as designer and creative director for a Dallas design agency. In 2011 he founded the firm Silas Tom. Wilson brings his wit and distinctive style to projects that include work for Dell, Design Within Reach, Neiman Marcus, AT&T, HarperCollins, Refinery 29, The Washington Post Magazine, Hudson Yards, Nasher Sculpture Center, and The Wall Street Journal. He is also the creator of the icon for "Welcome to Night Vale," one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world and for the first season of "The Grand Tourist." His work has been honored by Communication Arts, AIGA, Dallas Society of Visual Communication, Print, Type Director's Club, and Graphis. He was part of First Things First during NYCxDesign Week, several group shows at Erin Cluley Gallery and the Artspace 14 Exhibition at Pan McMillan London. In 2018 Wilson was nominated for the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award. Since 2019, he lives in New York City.
It takes a long time to get something to read so simply. [My drawings are] thought, and they’re overthought, and they’re thought over again.
Rob Wilson
Be Original Americas is a non-profit creative advocacy committed to informing, educating, and influencing manufacturers, artisans, design professionals, and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design.
Originality and authenticity are two of the most important qualities of designs to hit the auction block. They are also the foundation of all works that have become iconic markers in the history of design. Rago/Wright is proud to support Be Original Americas and their mission to inform and educate makers, designers, and consumers about the economic, ethical and environmental value of authentic design.
Richard Wright
