As he quickly moves on, slides of a hilarious history of his family hair styles and the divide between the cool kids and the not-so-cool kids. He eludes to being part of the latter group and describes his snowboarding passions which led to his first snowboard graphic which was in “5 dpi”.
The outlandish and appreciated humor continues as he continues to take the audience through his accomplishments of purchasing a house, an adorable wiener dog named Gary, and the beginning of DDC. He displayed various works he has done in the past matched with eclectic music which adds to the inspirational atmosphere. The importance of not using money as a motivation to design is apparent as he describes the effect his work had on a logo he created for a friend’s business, “Cobra Dog.” The power that individuals have to influence and help others carries further than any financially fueled identity.
Aaron James Draplin
Graphic Designer, Draplin Design Co. (Portland)
He innovated the design and creation of Field Notes since he couldn’t find something similar to which he liked. He has invented his client and how the brand has evolved over the years. A sentimental touch was added when he described that he was able to take his parents out to buy a car because of this success. He continued to promote the idea that you can “invent this stuff yourself.”
Instead of going to wine tasting he recommended junking in little places and basements. He feels that design is so nimble and appreciates the contrast of how design was back in the day before computers where it was a physical and tangible profession. He emphasizes he doesn’t want the idea of design to die and to quit taking pictures of coffee.
What’s next for DDC? Draplin quickly goes through bumper stickers for his dad, a logo for a bike company, a Sasquatch concert poster, hats, and space shuttle graphics. Also, if you didn’t know, some of the things he loves are his family, America, sweatpants. Some of the things he hates: Kid Rock, sandals at a wedding, prime mark abuse and stacked food.He concludes with encouraging the crowd to work hard and “say yes a little more than you say no” and “do good work for good people.”
Text — Noelle Germone — @ngermone
