What is your overriding professional goal?
To wake up everyday and have a fun or challenging project to work on. To work with a group of people that want to be challenged and have fun as well. To create work that means something. To find a way to see more of the USA and meet other professionals in my field.
How do you explain what you do to “regular people?”
I usually say that I am a “graphic designer” but then I follow up by telling them that I am really passionate about illustration and information graphics.
What professional accomplishment are you proudest of?
I had a brief stint as the art director of an alt weekly in Virginia (Port Folio Weekly) and I was proud of developing covers and graphics seen by a large region in Virginia. But I think I was most proud of working with a great team of people that produced something we believed in and cared about.
What is your non-work creative outlet?
Long walks with my dog on the trails around my neighborhood in South Durham.
What’s your biggest design-related pet peeve?
I would say working with people who aren’t team players due to selfish reasons. I get really frustrated when someone has to have their “stamp” on things for the sake of feeding a fragile ego.
Why are you involved with AIGA Raleigh?
I love meeting people in my field. AIGA Raleigh has allowed me to do that, but also opened doors for me to work with some great people in the area.
What have you gained or what do you hope to gain through your involvement with AIGA Raleigh?
I want to continue to meet the talented and creative people I mentioned above. And I want to help other designers in any way I can, because we all need help in one way or another. It’s very gratifying, but really it’s the right thing to do.
What is the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
When a client asked me if I could create designs for them in Microsoft Word.
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability or quality, what would it be?
Better organization/time management, so that I could get more work done!
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Stewie Griffin, even though he’s gone soft in recent years.
