Garrett Overheul Design Challenge Winner, May 2025
Garrett Overheul Design Challenge Winner, May 2025
Please list the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your favorites.
Easter Card – “Carrot Famine”
I enjoy the playfulness and a touch of dark humor in this card. I was especially pleased with how the visual concept came together in the final design.
Thank You Card – “Jar Overflowing”
I spent a lot of time working on this one. It originally began as a Mother’s Day card for my mom but eventually evolved into a general thank-you card.
Anniversary Card – “Happy Anniversary for Couple”
This card features a couple that reminded me of my own parents. I actually bought it and sent it to them, which makes it special to me.
Please list any of your professional social media sites.
Redbubble: gareored
Instagram: @gareoig
What was your inspiration for the dog breed birthday card that won? Please walk us through how the card came to be.
When I read the design challenge, I immediately thought of my friend Jason and his white French Bulldog. I envisioned a simple sketch of the dog sleeping and dreaming about his owner’s birthday. That idea evolved into the dog dreaming about cake instead. After several iterations, I finally settled on a design and refined it by hand using Photoshop.
Your cards feature a variety of styles and loads of robots. Tell us your favorite style and where your interest in robots comes from.
Yes, my store includes a wide mix of styles. I don’t feel the need to limit myself to just one approach—especially now, with how quickly AI tools for image generation have developed. They’ve given me the opportunity to explore different visual directions. Eventually, I may create specific lines or store sections based on style.
As for the robots—I saw them as a way to feature characters who can represent any race, age, or gender. One Robot can represent different kinds of humans they can be good a good stand-in for humans, and they open up the cards to a broader audience.
What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?
I’ve always been drawn to art. My dad was a talented artist and my mom had a great eye for interior design. My sister and I were raised in a home that encouraged creativity in all forms. We were lucky to benefit from our parents’ artistic talents and values. We both got into photography, and my sister is still actively creating and teaching art to middle schoolers. It’s definitely in our genes.
Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
A mix of both. I studied art in college and graduate school, and I’ve also done a lot of self-taught, on-the-job learning—especially with digital tools. At one point, I even taught Photoshop classes.
Is your work done by hand and then scanned, or do you work entirely on the computer?
I usually start with a base image, often generated by AI, or with a rough sketch used as a reference. Then I almost always refine or redraw elements by hand in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet.
You are relatively new to GCU (since 2023). What advice do you have for an artist considering joining the GCU community?
Read through all the setup guides—there’s a lot of incredibly valuable information there. Browse other designers’ storefronts for inspiration and structure. Trust the card reviewers! They’ve helped me make my designs better, and their feedback is always insightful. Most importantly, dive in, create what inspires you, and enjoy the process.