Artist Spotlight: exit343design

Stephanie Harvey of exit343design in Philadelphia creates fun & functional prints of her original designs with screen-printing. We love her use of bright color and clever text and can’t wait to snag some of her beautiful cards and art prints!

Tell us a little about how you started exit343design.

exit343design began as a side hustle in college after I began amassing portfolios full of prints from my printmaking studies. Back in 2006, I booked a table at a local craft show on a whim, tossed a bunch of prints on a folding table, and was delightfully surprised when people purchased my work! Since that first show, exit343design has been growing, slowly but surely. I’ve been selling online via my Etsy storefront for 11 years, have traveled to 15 states to vend at contemporary craft shows, sell my work wholesale in various brick & mortars across the country, and transitioned my side-hustle to be my full-time gig in 2016. I’ve expanded my product line over the years from just prints to include stationery, totes, and a variety of gift items.

What type of items do you make? Tell us a little about your medium and process.

I’m a printmaker who uses screen-printing processes to print original illustrations and designs on paper and fabric to create art prints, stationery, and a variety of gift items. To learn more about screen-printing and my creative process, check out my website here: https://www.exit343.com/screenprinting-process

What will you be featuring at Lackawanna Arts Fest?

When I sell my work in person, I always bring a variety of handcrafted wares in a variety of price-points. I’ve been spending a lot of time this year designing and printing colorful and clever greeting cards, so they will be featured prominently. In addition, I’ll have drink coolies to keep your beverage cold, baby bodysuits for that cute tot in your life, art prints to jazz up your walls, booze bags for easy gifting, and buttons to add flair to your denim jacket- folks love sifting through the 100+ designs to find the perfect one!

We see that your work is in brick & mortars around the country, you travel around to big festivals & shows, and have an etsy shop. What do you love most about running your business?

I am so lucky to be able to call exit343design my full-time job. It had been my side hustle for 9 years before I was able to take the plunge. Having worked either in retail or in a corporate, office environment for 15+ years, it puts this gig into perspective about how truly fortunate I am to steer my own ship. I love carving my own path, creating my own products, and learning every single day. There are always new challenges and it never gets boring- but if it did, I have the freedom to pivot to something new.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

I’m fairly active on social media and love to use Instagram! See what I’m up to and connect with me at @exit343 – otherwise, see you in August, Scranton!