The Quickie - Conversations with Designers

Part One: Today's guest is Aaron Draplin. He is the Designer at Draplin Design Co and part of the Field Notes Brand in Portland OR. During part one of this interview we talk about:-his creative childhood that included junking and going to garage sales with his dad.-why he originally moved out to the west coast from Northern Michigan.-the first design job he had even before doing design for snowboard magazines.-the typeface and packaging design that he first noticed as a kid and why it has stuck with him.-how design is oftentimes better when it is kept simple and just functions.-the tough spot he was put in when his client goes into his designs and starts moving things around and changing the DNA of the piece and how he handles that.-building the portfolio you want by just making stuff, real paid projects or not.Aaron is full of great stories to share and he does not hold back in telling them. The story he shares about his very first design job is also one that he doesn't often share but he brought it out for the listeners on the Quickie Podcast. Lots of good stuff in this one. @draplin

Today's guest is Rebecca Cohen. She is the Creative Director, Designer, and Principal at Co Projects Design in Portland OR.During this episode we talk about:-her childhood and how she was introduced to exploring creativity by her aunt.-her move from NY to Portland to work with Nike and meeting her husband there.-the wild ride of a story that takes them through new baby, recession, and starting a studio together.-how she is an activist against gun violence and the ways she is using her design skills to further those causes.-the Feminst activist podcast she co-hosts called End Times Pep Talk.-print and packaging and their relevance even in this digital world. -a project she was incredibly proud to be a part of that aligned with her beliefs, and her heart. -turning down client work when they have messaging, or sell products that don't align with your values and the causes you support. I found this interview incredibly motivating and Rebecca's passion for the causes she supports and her activism work is exciting to hear about. Go check out their incredible work and @co_projects

Today's guest is Camilla Lonis. She is the Design Director at Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One in Los Angeles CA.During this episode we talk about: -her childhood growing up surrounded by a family of artists and creatives in the Netherlands.-how she originally wanted to be a brain surgeon and how the career path changed.-her first junior design job at a packaging firm.-a poster project she created for a womans march and what it felt like creating something that became a very important visual for the march.-organization and mind mapping.-a art collaboration project that Studio Number One was a part of that supported National Parks in the US. You can hear Camilla's passion for design with intention which I found very motivating. Also, yes, I pronounced her name wrong during the interview, I apologized, and it's all good! Another great guest! Thank you @camillalonis and @studionumberone 

Today's guest is Carson Ting. He is the Founder and Illustrator at Chairman Ting Industries in Vancouver BC. During this episode we talk about:-how he turned his 2009 side hustle into his 2016 full time gig.-the advertising course he took that really lit his creative fire.-a recent special edition print project he did and how it was and will be used-Astroboy with yakuza tattoos.-how his first illustration actually came from him saving an ad project that originally missed the mark.-a project he was a part of for the Toronto Raptors.That and so much more in this episode. You can tell Carson loves what he does just by the energy he brings talking about it. Go check out Chairman Ting on IG to see the amazing work. @chairman_ting

Today's guest is Dalton Ehn. He is an Art Director at Apel Design in Malibu CA. Apel Design is a high-end architecture firm and with a tagline "Connecting People to the art of living", you know they get the importance of art and design within architecture. During this episode we talk about:-how Dalton has also been an Art Director for YouTube personalities and their awesome kitchens.-Cereal Bar's in Kitchens.-how Dalton was always drawing and really in to Comic Books when he was younger.-the one logo that really lit Dalton's creative fire. -the printed catalogue project he produced for Apel Design-the importance of the tangible experience with print when selling high-end real estate.-a project that Dalton worked on for the San Diego Gulls AHL team and the story about how that came to be. I had a great time chatting with Dalton and he brought some great energy! Great stories, another great guest! @daltonehn

Today's guest is Nathan Reuss. He is the Creative Director at R+R Partners in Las Vegas NV. Nathan has previously been Creative Strategist or Creative Director at YouTube, Google, Facebook, and Instagram. He says he traded in the Silicon shuffle for the Las Vegas hustle. During this episode we talk about:-the possible return of jingles...and Nathan's amazing jingle voice.-how he was encouraged to create and explore when he was younger and would take things apart to discover how they worked.-the relevance of print and packaging in the digital world.-the facebook analog lab where they have printing equipment, not office printers, but legit printers.-the 2009 Whopper Sacrifice Project: delete 10 friends, and get a free Whopper. -a project he presented to a facebook client that didn't land with them the way he had hoped.-a project he was a part of that they turned around in award-winning time that helped people register for the affordable healthcare act in the US. All that and soo much more. This episode runs well over the 30 minute quickie. But oh well. Nathan brings the value and the stories and we brought them to you. @nathanreuss @rrpartners

Today's guest is Marisol Ortega. She is a Designer, Illustrator, and Design Educator in Seattle WA. During this interview we talk about:-Marisol studying abroad in Italy and how that lit her creative fire-a story about working on mosaics and stained glass in an Italian Church-her time at both the Starbucks Global Creative and Amazon-leaving in-house design and jumping into freelance life-struggles with balancing freelance and family-a very interesting question raised about guacamoleThat and so much more. You can hear Marisols excitement for the creative world in her voice. She was a lot of fun to talk to and I know you will enjoy this one. Don't forget to check out her Instagram at @marisol.ortega

Today's guest is Rocky Roark. He is the design director at Blue Cyclops Design in San Diego CA. Rocky is also the host of a podcast called The Design Break Podcast. During this episode we get into:-how he name is company-being fired from jobs and his tough road to freelance-the one logo that always stood out to him growing up and why-his time working in a print shop to help his family through the recession-the large project where he ignored the red flags and the effects of a stressful client-his amazing work for Adobe and why he is so proud of itThat and so much more. This one is jam packed full of stories and lessons for all levels of creative. You can find Rocky on the Instagram at @rockyroark and the podcast at @thedesignbreak

Today's guest is Chad Michael. He is the owner and designer at Chad Michael Studio in Dallas TX. Chad is a designer for products of indulgence. Spirits, Beer, Wine, Tobacco, Cannabis, and playing cards. His work is incredibly detailed and his instagram is madness! @chadmichaelstudio.During this episode we get into:-his story about being an eclectic art kid who ate his lunch in the art room most days.-his time as creative director at a few places in NY, including a freelance creative director role.-his inspiration and the sort of designs and things that he is attracted to.-his process, or lack of...-a story about a project that he spent a significant amount of time on, and how it just died.Chad is a great guy to talk to with stories to share! He had a classy cocktail during our interview and was wearing an awesome hat! The guy has design skills and a great fashion sense. You will enjoy this one!

Today's guest is Jordan Wilson. He is a freelance designer under Jordan Wilson Designs, as well as a co-host of the Creative Course Podcast.During this episode we talk about:-his go-to karaoke song -how he moved to Portland for music as part of a band-how designing merch and album covers for the band was his gateway to design-the struggles and challenges of figuring out freelance; accounting, on boarding, proposals, etc.-he shares some painful stories where he learned some lessons in freelance life-a full brewery rebrand project that he is super proud ofJordan is so much fun to talk to that we actually spoke for over 10 minutes before I hit record. Oh, and he will tell you he is 6' tall....he's not....he's 5'11. #truthhurts