First off, thank you for visiting my site. I’m continuing to update my work from 10 years in the industry, its a process so please check back often and see what’s new. I’ve had a wide ranging career, from graduating college with a degree in print design to my present position as an Interactive Art Director for Biggs|Gilmore in Kalamazoo, MI. In between I have taught graphic and web design at a college level, designed motion graphics full time, been the in-house art director for one of the fastest growing companies in Minneapolis and more. I’ve tried below to answer some basic questions about my thoughts on design, please let me know if you have any questions I might have missed.
If you have a degree in what field is it?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from the University of Manitoba.
Which designer, illustrator or creative force, do you most admire or has influenced you?
Every designer I’ve worked with has molded me, I owe them all a great debt. As far as noteworthy designers, artist and brands there are any number. Shepard Fairey would be the latest influence though, its rare to see an image that defines your generation created. Fairey’s work changed the game, and he is taking a unique style and making it accessible to the masses without sacrificing who he is. I love Michael Schwab’s illustrations, he completely redefined the genre for the last decade or more. Motion graphics leave me in awe, Imaginary Forces created the opening sequences for Fight Club and Seven and resurrected the art form. The retro-modern branding for Ben Sherman always draws me in whenever I’m in a store that sells their clothes. I have to read William Gibson’s novel Pattern Recognition at least once a year, its a book every creative should read.
I am addicted to Craigslist and while it functions fine I always end up redesigning it in my head. If you could update the look and feel while keeping pathological Craigslisters happy it would be a minor miracle.
Music, I always have my headphones on when I’m in the creative zone. That and a business that I believe in that I see missing out out on their marketing potential, I always feel a huge rush of energy when I find a way to tell their story and help their business.
I turn off the computer, go for a walk and get an iced coffee. Changing the scenery can make a world of difference, staring at the same wall when you’re frustrated only guarantees more frustration. I talk with co-workers, I’m lucky to share space with very creative and technically gifted people. An objective opinion that you trust is an invaluable resource.
I work better, faster and cleaner when my mind is fresh. Endlessly grinding leaves me with uninspired, glitch-filled work that I’m unhappy with. My life away from work re-centers me for the creative challenges that are always waiting.
Design or technology? Which is more important?
Technology and design cannot be separated in my mind: technology is to the designer what the brush is to a painter. Creative uses of existing technology spawn more new technology, which in turn inspires new creative ideas.
If you weren’t working as a designer what would you be doing?
In another life, I would want to be a professional big wave surfer, an architect or the owner of a guitar store/coffee shop.
I dabble in music, occasionally laying down guitar riffs in Garage Band. I’m working on new songs with a singer/songwriter friend of mine, a coffee house gig or two is a personal goal.
I have Cage the Elephant on high rotation, a mix-list of Death Cab for Cutie and the latest Counting Crows.
My iPhone. Its my music, my calendar, my GPS and my alarm clock. Without it I would sleep in, get lost and miss every meeting. Then how would I be able to afford new music?
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” —Mike Tyson
