• What’s the skinny on you? Tell us your story.
My story is quite simple. It began on a rainy day and well the rest is history ... but seriously I grew up coloring with crayons and colored pencils and traded those in for swashbuckling pixels on the monitor. I have always loved design and how it effects the human psyche and nature around us. I went to a school in Wilson, North Carolina where I got my degree in Fine Arts, my concentration was in Graphic Design and that is where I fell in love with the web in 2000... now the rest is history =).
• What is it that drew you to a life of graphic design?
Refer to question one, or .... the fact that I can make a difference and offer change in my community by creating designs that impact people. Design is emotional and communicates messages to people on so many levels and that is why I love design.
• Where did you collect your design education?
That I will say refer to question 1 ... I got it at Barton College, Wilson, NC ...
• Are you a team player, or are you a solo creative?
I dont believe in being solo one mind may be good but two minds = great. Awards are rarely won by individuals but by teams. Also, the thing I want to ask you is are you driven to be famous or to make a difference and not be known but be meaningful? =)
• Are there any qualities you wish for in a project, or, describe your dream job?
My dream job is actually doing what I am doing right now, but would love to have more clients around the US where I would be flying in and out of cities meeting with clients. I am a sucker for air travel even if it is on USScare ... I mean Air.
• What primes your creative pump? Where do you find your best inspiration?
I actually find my best inspiration in the shower of all places, Lord knows why but that is when I am most relaxed and there is something about relaxation that spawns an overdrive of creativity. I also get ideas when I am driving in my car, both places not conducive to record your ideas on paper though.
• We have all had projects that didn’t go well or were quite the challenge. What have you learned from these scenarios?
I have learned from many failures, one from losing a client but gaining them back ... it is all about trust. People do work with people they trust and like, you can be the best designer under the sun but if you are a punk hotshot who shoots his/her mouth off (sorry ladies) and is not a team player then you will have a really hard time making it in this or any industry. Secondly, leave your pride at the doorstep, being right-minded brings the baggage of pride in my opinion and I have realized that I cannot have pride when doing a job otherwise arrogance interferes and you lose sight of the project altogether. I have actually had jobs that I have lost because I shot my mouth and was prideful and I learned fast people dont want to be around that. Also, I am not Gods gift to the world in design, there are bundles of people who trample my skills but thats ok, it is about doing the best I can and doing it with passion and integrity.
• If you happened upon enough cash flow to retire today, what would you do?
Heck no, I would still continue working because retiring is not option for me... I love this industry and I love the work, I love the people and interaction. I would not trade that in for a measely mill ...
• Any advice you care to divulge to students who are currently in training?
Keep it simple, Follow the K.I.S.S. method and be yourself. Also, absorb as much from your peers as you can and also pick the brains of your professors, they are professionals, they know there stuff. In design understand the basics of composition, the use of and power of the Grid System and really refine your knowledge and skill in typography.
• Last chance, is there anything we missed you’d like to impart?
Have Fun and dont take yourself so seriously. Besides you get to work in an industry where you can actually say on your answering machine you are not there because you have been abducted by aliens and get away with it ... thought of that in the shower this morning ... =)
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