Travis Stearns is having a hard time paying attention. While we chat, his eyes dart about the Red Stag Supperclub, taking in the Minneapolis eatery’s reverently ironic Northwoods décor. But Stearns isn’t being rude. He’s working. “Everywhere I go I’m cognizant of design,” says the graphic artist, whose modernist-with-a-twist illustrations and typefaces are inspired by random objects and images—rocks and minerals, mystical folk imagery, books on metal detecting, to name a few—that catch his eye. Stearns shares these everyday findings with the world, creating fonts and stock art for local design shop You Work For Them, and illustrations for magazines such as Nylon and Swindle.

The 25-year-old Robbinsdale native became obsessed with commercial art at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he thrived in the school’s prestigious graphic design program. Thanks to a Web site he started during his junior year to showcase his work, everything from whimsical ligatures based on the Minnesotan accent to skatedeck designs, Stearns began landing freelance jobs. In 2006, after moving back to Minneapolis, he landed his biggest gig yet when Dolce & Gabbana invited him to contribute to their 20th anniversary book. The resulting illustration—a gorgeous, dripping desecration of the classic D&G logo—opened the door to steady freelance work, including a recent job designing infographics for Wired magazine.

Stearns won’t say much about his quick success. He’d rather talk about typefaces (his favorite is the “rustic and versatile” Garamond) or local architecture’s unfortunate propensity toward Southwestern motifs. In truth, he probably wishes we’d stop asking him questions so he could give his full attention to his supper club surroundings. We wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if something from the Red Stag—perhaps that Campbell’s Soup label dress hanging behind the bar?—inspires a future masterpiece.

SEE: View samples of Travis's work at iammintcondition.com.