Mackenzie Brookshire is Landscape Creative Director. Landscape is a San Francisco-based brand strategy and design studio that shapes structures and surfaces for social good. Fine Her Arts, Illustration and Art Her Mackenzie background in her direction gives her an insightful perspective in helping clients in their pursuit of social change through products and services. .
Mackenzie works with brands like Google Ara, Positive Intelligence, Radix and Seed Health to bring an energy that is contagious to both Landscape’s work and culture. Prior to joining Landscape, Mackenzie ran the Risograph print shop in Atlanta. Every day, she listens to her clients’ passions and uses her intuition to transform their stories into something beautiful, meaningful, and outstanding.
We spent two minutes with Mackenzie to learn more about his background, creative inspirations, and recent work he admires.
Mackenzie, tell me…
Where I was born and raised, where I live now.
I grew up in North Georgia. I have spent some time in Texas, Savannah, Atlanta and now live in Oakland, CA.
How I first realized that I was creative.
My sister and I imagined the forest behind our house to be magical. The tree hole was a treasure chest and the stream was a moat filled with crocodiles. I don’t know if I’ve really noticed anything, but I was definitely into drawing and anything related to art from an early age. And my loving family would have convinced me that everything I did was the best they had ever seen.
Someone you idolized creatively early on.
David Bowie.
High school and college moments that changed your life.
Overall, my college experience was pretty life-changing. Being at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and living in Savannah was my first experience being around so many artists and creative people. It hardly felt legal to study art full time in such a beautiful city…it was awesome. I totally evolved there.
A visual artist or band/musician you admire.
Right now, I’m obsessed with this performance artist/synthpop girl, Geneva Jacuzzi.
A book, movie, TV show, or podcast that inspired you recently.
“How Music Works” by David Byrne.
Favorite fictional character.
King Kong.
Someone or something worth following on social media.
Landscape’s new personal project DOG.
How Covid-19 has changed your life personally or professionally.
Working from home is exactly what the doctor ordered! Now I can make better use of my time in the day. If you are stressed, you can cuddle your cat.
One of my favorite creative projects I’ve ever worked on.
DreamOre, a poetry book designed in collaboration with Hunter Long. Using design as a way to bring art into the world is a good use of your time. Conversations with Hunter were very inspiring on a personal level. The photo session was also a lot of fun!
A recent project that you are proud of.
Naming, branding and ongoing event promotion for DOG, a project space by landscape. It was so cool to see so many people gather around the sign I designed and see so many people at our show. It’s a big collaboration, and it’s great to see it fueled by our own small contributions to the Bay Area’s creative community.
Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.
Johann Cout.
A work by someone else that I recently fell in love with.
Max Ernst.
Your main strength as a creative person.
intuition and ideas.
your greatest weakness.
Think linearly.
One thing that always makes you happy.
Warm weather, sun on my face.
The one that always makes you sad.
Missing kitten? Mass consumption? The first ten minutes of Pixar’s Up.
If you weren’t in design, what would you be doing?
Make things or sell paintings.