• What’s the skinny on you? Tell us your story.
I've always been interested in creating and making art - as my mom was fond of saying "since I could hold a crayon or piece of chalk." I currently work as a designer for Ohio State University Libraries which I love. I've been a graphic designer since graduating from art school (more than 20 years ago) and it's been an exciting time to be a designer with all the changes with technology.• What is it that drew you to a life of graphic design?
I was initially going to school for fashion design and transfered to Columbus College of Art & Design from University of Cincinnati so I could focus more on the illustration aspect of fashion. While in school I got a part time job as an artist assistant for a large public library system and it was basically assisting a graphic designer. I really enjoyed it and when I graduated they made me full time. I've been a graphic designer ever since. I wasn't really all that sure that the cut-throat fashion design world was really for me in the end anyway, and I found that I really hated sewing!
• Where did you collect your design education?
I began at University of Cincinnati (DAAP) and transfered and finished at Columbus College of Art & Design. It was very intensive and a great design school.
• Are you a team player, or are you a solo creative?
I love to work in a team environment, however I have tended to have jobs where I am the only or one of the only designers on staff. I have to get much of my design inspiration from my own resources. But I think all designers must be team players... you have to work with clients and writers and other technical people to make jobs happen... printers, other vendors, web people.... it takes a lot of people to get a job from concept to finished product, whatever that product happens to be. It is a huge benefit to have excellent inter-personal communication skills.
• Are there any qualities you wish for in a project, or, describe your dream job?
That's a bit difficult to answer. Sometimes the favorite jobs are not the ones you think they will be. I unexpectedly volunteered myself to design some floor "tiles" for the floor of a renovated library because there really wasn't anyone else where I worked who could reasonably do it. It turned out to be a very interesting job of researching 49 different writing systems/alphabets/fonts for the bronze inlays. I got to select the writing systems and find graphics and design the whole project. It was terribly time-consuming and technically difficult but tremendously rewarding in the end. These bronze tiles will be there long after I'm gone, I'm sure. And the public reaction to them has been overwhelming. So you just never know where a project will take you!
• What primes your creative pump? Where do you find your best inspiration?
Really it is everywhere... all around. The usual suspects like design magazines and web sites... but sometimes while watching a favorite tv show... sometimes an element of an ad will give me an idea. A color of a floor tile or a font on a menu at a restaurant... you have to just be aware of what is all around you. I think I kind of absorb things and stash them away somewhere and pull it out later when needed. Sometimes I'm not even quite sure where it came from, but it was in there rattling around, just waiting for that right moment to pop back up.
I enjoy using Twitter and follow other designers who post links and there is a lot of great inspiration to be found there. It's like having it already narrowed down for you, which is great since there' s so much out there to sort through. Finding the time is always the biggest challenge. Often doing something totally un-art related can help loosen up the brain cells and then an idea can come. Forcing it seldom works.
• We have all had projects that didn’t go well or were quite the challenge. What have you learned from these scenarios?
Usually it's a matter of better communication... with the client or with your team or vendor. You can't underestimate how important good communication can be. You have to set aside your pride and your own personal preferences at times for what is best for a particular job. That is part of being a professional. Sometimes you have to compromise when you really would rather not and there are times when you have to go out on a limb to press an idea you really need to champion. When that goes well it feels great. When you have to turn out a design you feel isn't your best, but it's what the client wants, well you have to put it behind you and move on.
• If you happened upon enough cash flow to retire today, what would you do?
I would probably take an awesome vacation and travel but I don't think I'd ever quit working. I love it way too much. I love the work and I love the people I work with. I'm not one to sit at home, even though I always have projects I like to work on. I enjoy being a part of something too much to sit on the sidelines and watch it happen; I like being involved. But I'd love to be able to travel more. (not that a few naps on the couch wouldn't be great now and then!)
• Any advice you care to divulge to students who are currently in training?
Try lots of things... don't be too narrow-minded about what you see for your future. The future can morph into something totally unexpected. I didn't initially think of being a graphic designer, but here I am and I love it. Take opportunities as they come, don't rule things out. If you love something persue it.... passion and desire can take you a long way especially when combined with hard work and integrity. People sense that in you and will give you a chance. Build yourself up but don't tear others down. Take a variety of things in school. When I was in school and applied for the assistant artist position I didn't get it at first. I was told I didn't have enough production (paste-up) experience. It happened that I was signing up for the next semester's classes soon after. I registered for a production class. A little voice inside me said, "what if that job comes open again, then you'll be more ready& and a more reasonable voice said, "yeah, like that will happen - they just hired someone." Well the girl they hired didn't work out and three months later the job was open again... and because of that class I had samples to show -- and I got the job and it was great experience while I was in school. So don't rule anything out --- and prepare for the unexpected!
• Last chance, is there anything we missed you’d like to impart?
Follow your heart... I know, it sounds corny. But if you don't love it, don't spend years doing something you hate. Talk to people in the field. If you have a passion for doing something find a way so that you can do it. Joseph Campbell said it best, "follow your bliss." I find this a very fulfilling profession and it is something new every day. Each project is like a new puzzle to solve. It can be stressful at times but then what isn't, really? It's a great job that is continually changing and you really must like to learn new things.
. .