Tom Trandt majored in fashion design at Parsons. Having completed his thesis, he is now taking classes that interest him in preparation for a masters degree. Trandt’s bright and colorful instagram, @tomtrandt, features his fashion illustrations, photography, and the process behind his designs.  

“My style of presentation is one picture instead of a collection of pictures” said Trandt. “For some people when you look at their Instagram, everything appears to be a part of a bigger story. For me, every picture is a story in itself. That’s why my Instagram appears to be more colorful and unorganized than other methods of presentation.”

Trandt comes from a science background and was preparing to become a doctor like his parents. This, he explained, has greatly influenced his style. “I am a logical designer compared to some of my friends who are very artistic with their work. I prefer a linear style,” said Trandt.

Trandt is in the process of creating his own fashion brand, and he often shares this process online. “When I present my work, it really forces me, because I have an audience, to treat every photo as a critic session and to think about the presentation.”

“Every picture is a story in itself.” – Tom Trandt

“I think of my Instagram as a fashion brand. Which is the best seller and which is the seasonal item. It’s like building customer loyalty, they come to you because they know that they will get the best thing.” Trandt explained that the best things he gives his followers are new techniques, new styles, and new materials.
Some artists are cautious of uploading their work online because of the fear that it will be critiqued, or worse, copied. But Trandt believes that, “it’s just like every problem, you just can’t take the good without the bad and for me [uploading my work] is more beneficial than not.”