tickyboom

[teh-key-boooom]

noun, verb,

The combination of the names Tim and Nicky, the husband and wife graphic design duo behind tickyboom. Established in 2017, located in the Bay Area, California. The boom is the essence infused and reaction to our work.

Our mission is to use design to ignite your brand. We believe that doing good work, thinking strategically, and operating with integrity yield incredible results. Plus, it’s an excellent way to live.

We practice using our skills and talents to help shift our world to a place of love and unity, even if it is one small step at a time.

Hello we are tickyboom

Designers and artists for most of our lives. Nicky’s superpower is illustration and the tactile, while Tim’s superpower is all things digital. We both are traditionally trained, along with training on the job. We both have agency and freelance experience. Boom!

Meet Tim

Meet Nicky

Instagram

Our design journal and a good place to see our style and approach.

YouTube

Tutorials, Speed Arts, sharing our knowledge in video form.

Podcast

A process driven design podcast to promote learning and inspiration.

Blog

Our larger brand design journal. Brand strategy, inspiration, fun.

Design Site

Tutorials, Speed Arts, sharing our knowledge in video form.

Mixtapes

A process driven design podcast to promote learning and inspiration.

Nicky Preut

Co-Creator, Designer, Papernerd, Wife, Mother, I used to get in trouble as a little kid for stealing and using up all the kleenex and scotch tape in the house by making clothes and things for my dolls. If I could repeat my last quarter of college over and over again, I would — Metal Sculpture, Ceramics, Glassblowing, and Psych 101.

I have been steeped in art since I was a tiny human.

I would do anything I could that involved the use of my hands to make art. “Making” is something innate for me. This love for art eventually led me to attend Cal Poly, where I earned my BFA in Graphic Design. Along the way, I tagged on a minor to give myself a deeper understanding of print applications. I couldn’t just let my work stay digital— I had to understand where it was going to end up. What can I say, I’m a touchy-feely kinda person.

While in college, I got the rare opportunity to study abroad on a ship. There’s nothing like learning out on the open ocean, traversing the South Pacific. I got to experience a new part of the world and made many friends along the way. This experience helped me broaden my outlook on life, which continually helps me think outside the box with design. Plus, I have a memory bank of art and design from around the world to help me draw from for inspiration.

One summer break, I asked for a job at a print shop in Berkeley, where they specialized in handmade letterpress wedding invitation suites. I got to learn how to run the letterpress, and soak in the process from client meetings, proofing, printing, assembly, and it was even my job to ship the orders out. It was a dream come true as I am always yearning to use my hands and inject the analog into the digital world we live in. This experience helped me learn a high-level printing process, which I carry over to Tickyboom.

My next step after graduation was to work for a non-profit ministry here in the Bay Area. I designed shirts, flyers, and any collateral to further this their brand and communications. It was super fun, and I had more freedom to manage my projects and creative output, which was very lifegiving. I also functioned in a leadership capacity outside of design, which made it such an incredible experience.

Tim and I started Tickyboom after we did a bunch of our friends’ wedding invitations. It was enjoyable as I got to flex my hands-on print and paper skills and make some fantastic wedding invitation suites. Running Tickyboom has been a fun and challenging adventure.

I am always trying new projects that involve me using my hands. I play with clay, sculpey, paper, watercolor, and build with wood. And there’s nothing quite like a pandemic to make me learn how to sew a quilt for my son. I love learning new techniques and skills online and hope never to stop learning new art forms.

Tim & Nicky have a son named Milo. He brings great joy into their lives.