Studio
The Things We Do
Who We Are
Jim Bixby
828’s co-founder Jim enjoys watching ideas and flashes of inspiration come together into a cohesive whole as the result of dynamic collaboration. And though projects at 828 extend beyond the realm of the page, Jim ensures that every product turns out so beautifully that customers will feel compelled to touch it—even if they can’t. The tactile world is a source of inspiration for Jim: the intricate veins of leaves, the texture of tree bark, minuscule folds erupting in lichen. When he decided to fashion an outdoor room on his property solely from clay, sand and straw, he drew upon the talents of numerous individuals from backgrounds as varied as the materials themselves. The result is a peaceful oasis standing mere steps from Jim’s door, an earthy testament to Jim’s commitment to the spirit of creativity and collaboration.
Tom Petruccelli
Steeped in every aspect of design since he first walked into his uncle’s print shop as a teenager, Tom has worked presses, stripped plates, and his hands have known plenty of ink stains. Yes, new techniques are constantly emerging. But the foundation of effective design remains unchanged: clarity of vision, creativity, and superb client relations. As 828’s co-founder, Tom is there from the genesis of every project, nurturing a client’s vision from concept to reality. He still likes to get his hands dirty, though. Digging in the Carolina clay with his two young boys, Tom marvels how a speck of a seed contains everything needed to burst forth into a towering sunflower. Great ideas and great design are also a ground-up endeavor: they start small, take root and flourish in the right hands.
Chris Hunter
Chris admires the power of unifying design, the kind that can reflect the varied and unique aspects of a product or business, while remaining clean, simple and stylish. From the psychedelic album covers of the 1960s that entranced him as a child, to the 1/75 Ranger Memorial he contributed to while at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Chris thrives on pulling together diverse elements into single logo, brand, or identity. A lover of the outdoors, Chris lived on a river in West Virginia for many years, and has long been drawn to water’s flow and energy. We like to think these two qualities infuse his work, as his ideas flow into images, his concepts into winning creations.
Lainie Covington
Each project has a unique lifespan. And every job relies on just the right amount of revision and refinement to bring its essence into sharp focus. 828 prizes Lainie’s critical eye and intuitive gift for precision. She brings to all our endeavors the kind of perspective that grasps the most minute of details, while still retaining a clear vision of the big picture. Trained as a jewelry maker and sculptor, Lainie understands how the tiniest adjustments—carving a bit here, shaping a tad there, taking a few crucial steps back—can bring out the luster of any project. She recently finished rehabbing her ranch home, and is currently enjoying experimenting with SketchUp to design the perfect back yard.
Asheville Life
