• What’s the skinny on you? Tell us your story.
I think my Twitter bio tells that story in a nutshell: "Designer, Speaker, Author, Dad, Star Gazer, Former Drummer Trying to Regain Mad Skills, 1/4 Swiss, etc."• What is it that drew you to a life of graphic design?
Music and woodworking. I did a lot with the two growing up. When it came time for me to discover graphic design, it was still a form a creativity in the same vein as music and woodworking, just with vectors and pixels instead of notes and wood.
• Where did you collect your design education?
I've not taken a single formal design class in my career, so from myself and the generous writings of many others via books, blogs, and tweets.
• Are you a team player, or are you a solo creative?
Both. Both are critical to being a successful designer. Without collaboration, one doesn't get very far in our industry. Of course, I enjoy plenty of time on my own without distractions, and in some cases, limitations.
• Are there any qualities you wish for in a project, or, describe your dream job?
Only one comes to mind immediately: That everyone involved in the project is fully invested to execute and launch (or publish or print or whatever) early and often.
• What primes your creative pump? Where do you find your best inspiration?
See http://cameronmoll.com/archives/2007/02
/influence_vs_inspiration/
• We have all had projects that didn’t go well or were quite the challenge. What have you learned from these scenarios?
What one learns from these projects is usually unique to that person and his/her circumstances. To document what I've learned would require a fairly lengthy response. In short, learning from failures sucks and is pretty painful. But you'd be totally remiss not to be humble enough to take advantage of the learning opportunities that can come only through failure. The best learning experiences I've had have been those where I thoroughly analyzed and document (on paper) what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future.
• If you happened upon enough cash flow to retire today, what would you do?
I wouldn't retire. I can't imagine retiring. I would probably keep doing what I love -- creating.
• Any advice you care to divulge to students who are currently in training?
Master the instrument of design by studying and emulating work from those designers you admire most. Spend less time trying to define who you'll become and more time studying the greats that have come before you, past and present. Your artistic personality and individuality will emerge more readily and sustainably if you first become a great designer, second one who is known for a particular style or niche -- not usually the other way around.
• Last chance, is there anything we missed you’d like to impart?
No, I'd say you covered things pretty well :)
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