< Home

Q&A: Part 1

What kind of degree do you have and what field is it in? I have an AS degree from Cazenovia College in Advertising Design and a BS degree in Graphic Design from Buffalo State. My education at Caz helped me refine my fundamental drawing and rendering skills while focusing on layout and production. At Buffalo I continued this training while expanding into the development of broader ad campaigns, typography and graphic design.

Have you always been able to draw or was it a skill you learned in college? I started drawing at a young age and my mom always encouraged me to go to art school. Growing up I thought I would be a cartoonist because my drawings always ended up looking "cartoony" and I would create superheros and comic strips. In college I had professors who tried to break me out of this style. But I always tried to focus more on the idea behind what I was communicating. I think clients still appreciate a hand-drawn comp. I try to make sketching a habit in the early stages of every project I work on.

What was your first paid assignment? After graduation I worked on a logo design for a new coffee shop in town called "Moonbeans".... The owner was a friend of mine and he haggled with me on the initial estimate. Negotiating price was unchartered territory for me, but I went with it --- concentrating on the design. By the end I was beat up pretty good with more hours than I could track, but when the logo was finally in the window I was extremely proud. I learned some valuable lessons with that experience.

Which designer (or artist) do you most admire? One that immediately jumps to the top of the list is local designer, Kurt Ketchum. I met him once when I attended a portfolio showcase at Nazareth College in Rochester. His style is deep and truly original. I was drawn to his illustrative style that he incorporates into his design. He is the type of artist who has taken his vision of design to a place I only dream I could go.

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer? There was a time when I thought I could be a professional bass player while moonlighting as a designer. I created artwork for my band and for my friends' and clients in bands --- and still do. Music and graphic art always went hand-in-hand for me. Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam is a musician and artist who I admire and I thought I could model my career from.