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| —The Long Version—
High School. Strong love for science and math formed and took root in the long-haired grunge- rocking teenager. Artistic education continued with teacher Glenn Walrond in Commercial Art and Design two hours a day for two years. Again, artistic talent was nurtured, but this time with a focus on art as applied to design, and commercial presentation. In 1993 the gangly young man got a chance to prove his skills at VICA (Vocation Industrial Clubs of America). The program is now called Skills USA. Students compete for scholarships in myriad categories, including Commercial Art and Design. Winning 1st place at the regional competition, 1st in state, 5th in the nation, was not too shabby. And winning the competition for designing the pin that represented every competitor in Washington two years in a row was a nice little bonus. It wasn't long before high school could no longer hold him. Graduation. The young man sought to gain knowledge and experience in a bigger pond. He applied to only one university. His eyes were wide as he strode the UW campus freshman year. A love for math and science led him to pursue engineering. Sitting in a class of 500 students, he realized being an engineer meant being one number somewhere in the middle of a lot of numbers. It didn't feel right. It took only a moment to find Graphic Design. A class of 80 applicants became 40 admitted to the next round. 40 was chopped into 20 students admitted to the program, and this young man was on his way, following his dream. — —— — In the Graphic Design program at UW we were taught the importance of supporting and defending our work. We were taught to critically evaluate the reasons for our choices. Rigorous formality and the lasting power of tradition became mountains to climb. Braving the elements, I climbed. Along the way there were tangental outlets—classes ranging from painting and illustration to psychology. During school I spent 3.5 very satisfying years working for The Daily, the student run newspaper for UW. While studying within the modular design cube of the School of Art, this fellow was able to stretch and flap his new found wings on the pages of the weekly Arts and Entertainment supplement to The Daily. Climbing the ranks to Design Chief gave perspective that the cage had once again become smaller. In the last quarter of my education at UW I had a pivotal experience with a video class taught by Shawn Brixey. My core resonated with excitement as I learned the language of storytelling with video. I was challenged in the way I looked at something, and challenged in the way I expressed myself. Brixey warned us we would never be able to watch movies the same way again after his class. I tore back the curtain and began playing with the controls. A seed was planted, a love for filmmaking. Graduation. The world was a big place. While flying about, searching for a place to land, I created an opportunity for a video project with World Vision (an international relief organization). I travelled in Peru for 10 days to document a group of missionaries. We went to remote mountain villages to visit sponsored families, and create awareness for new sponsorship. I co-produced a video shown to a youth group conference of 4,000. It inspired hundreds of people to form groups and begin relief sponsorships with countries in need of help. Nothing prepares you for the real world like working in the real world.I started my professional design career with Michael Hilliard of mHilliard Associates Inc. I managed clients and worked within budget on multiple projects with overlapping deadlines. In the two+ years I worked on print design, video, web, photography, and digital illustration. My design skills were challenged. Challenges were met with success. I was rewarded with greater responsibility. Michael was both boss and mentor. A lasting friendship was created. Because of the organic forces of economics, the earth shifted under my feet. I was shook loose from mHilliard Associates Inc. Interviews with other design firms gave positive reviews to my portfolio, however, the weight of a suffering economy forced the answer "not now". The job market was down, so I went higher. I sold my car, saved for 3 months and flew away. Scheduling only one step in advance, I went to Thailand. After a month and half and a visit to Nepal, I chose England. Then France, Switzerland, and finally the rainforested hills of my western Oregon origins. Having circumnavigated the globe after six months of unscripted adventure, I returned to the city that has always felt like home, Seattle. I returned to an economy that wasn't any better. It was no match for the excitement of travel still alive in my blood. This time it was Taiwan. I began working as an English teacher. In many ways a satisfying career—I love to see the lights turn on in young minds. However, the experience was lacking in one major thing: long-term challenge. While in Taiwan I used the resources of my energy, skill, and finances from teaching to start a a business with a friend. A study of the market showed we were in the right place at the right time. I was simultaneously a full time teacher and a full time entrepreneur. With an incredible amount of perseverance and late nights we built a business that became self sufficient in 8 months. I created all the branding, identity, logo work, advertising, marketing, and visual communication in both print and online form, while also co-developing the direction of the business itself. Developing the business led to forming partnerships in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, as well as major cities all across the US. Ideas were brilliant. Intentions were good. However, the weight of human nature became too heavy for the glue of hope and perseverance, and the business partnership ended. After 2 years and 6 asian countries visited, I returned home.
Like a warrior toughened by battle, I needed only a short rest. Soon freelance design resumed with James Clark Design Images. James Clark is wise in his years of experience as a graphic designer, and provided many opportunities for me to learn and improve skills. Working for the corporate world pays well, but doesn't always renew the energy of the creative soul. Desire ignighted as I returned to my creative talents. Always a secret passion, now an inexplicable drive, filmmaking took the driver's seat. I plunged into the deep end with body, mind, and soul. The University of Washington's DXARTS program created the first ever filmmaking class to produce a real feature-length film. Experimental in purpose, creativity was the leading force, followed by resourcefulness, and the diverse talents of several players. As a lead in the art department I was responsible for designing the visual presence of, artistic direction of, and set design of several scenes throughout the filming process. I have been asked to be a part of the post filming production.
Achievements and experiences of interest: -
Rafted wild Alaskan rivers dodging bears and waterfalls with dad at
age 9.
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