Cranbrook Art Museum, 2008 Graduate Degree Show Exhibition
Brand Identity, naming, signage and catalog
Columbus 81, Jerry Seinfeld, Brand identity
Toni King & Associates, Brand identity and collateral
3D Typography
typographic bling for fictional double-dutch champions
Multi-timezone clock
What year did you graduate?
I finished my post-bach coursework in the design department in 2004.
Tell us about your graduate school and work histories?
While finishing my studies at PSU I began an internship at Allied Works Architecture, that culminated in a highly-creative interdisciplinary collaboration and insane week-long charrette creating a proposal to design an esplanade on the East River in Manhattan. After finishing my coursework at PSU, I worked for a stint at Sockeye Creative as a graphic designer, and later Leopold Ketel and Partners as an art director. Around this time I was accepted into the Weiden+Kennedy 12 program as well as Cranbrook Academy of Art's 2D Design Department. I made the decision to go to Cranbrook and study with the great Elliott Earls. At Cranbrook I developed a unique and meaningful approach to making work that is the basis for current studio practice. After Cranbrook I moved to Brooklyn and founded MakerHappener with design strategist, visual critic, curator extraordinaire Jullia Kim. I also teach in the Design Department at City University of New York in Queens.
What projects are you working on currently?
At MakerHappener we have a studio practice that is founded on the notion that a network of creative inquiries live in proximity to each other and inform one another to create a body of meaningful work. We do research-based strategic branding work for clients along side process-driven self-directed inquires we call "play". The "play" informs the "work", and the "work" gives the "play" rigor. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Currently on my plate: brand identity for a sustainable wedding and event planning business in Seattle, as well as brand identity and web design for a sustainable greenroof planter system company.
In what ways (faculty, program, projects, classes, etc) was PSU-GD successful in preparing you for being a professional designer?
My time at PSU put me in contact with passionate educators and professionals such a Lis Charman, Margaret Richardson, Susan Agre-Kippenhan, Mike Kippenhan, Greg Para, and David Cipriano. Collectively the experience gave me a well-rounded and nuanced understanding of what graphic design is, and the context in which one creates a successful practice.
What recommendations do you have for any current students and/or students graduating?
Follow your bliss. Get an internship at the best studio you can. Take on low-paying pet projects that allow you to create the kind of work you love. Have fun and it will show through in the work. Be willing to work long hours and let that be known.
Would you share a link to a site or a book or ? that you frequent for inspiration?
Improv theater instructor Keith Johnstone's book, Impro; Early Aboriginal Paintings currently on display at the Grey Art Gallery at NYU, Carl Jung's recently unveiled Red Book on display at the Rubin Museum of Art
PLEASE send us links to your site
http://makerhappener.com/
http://www.facebook.com/l/1b19d;makerhappener.com
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