How did you
become a designer/artist?
I took a few design courses and after being told
I had an uncanny knack for it, I started my career
in graphics when I was 20 by quitting one of my
two not-going-anywhere jobs. I took a position
as a paste-up guy in an advertising/design studio
owned by a former VCU Arts/Photography professor,
Raffaele DeGregorio. I gradually learned the ropes
of the trade, studied works by design greats,
worked with other talented designers, and over
five years at that studio pushed my skills at
my favorite part of the job -- logo design. After
working for eight combined years at two studios,
I started my own company nine years ago which
eventually became Woodpile Studios, complete with
five experienced full-timers. We’ve been
published by "Graphis" three times and
was recently chosen to have a 2-page logo spread
published in a Japanese Design book titled “Super
Logo Design 2” along with an international
selection of top designers. Business is way better
now than it’s been in almost two years.
We’re being selected for more and more exciting
projects with each passing month.
Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Houston Texas, but moved
to the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington
DC 18 years ago.
What are you doing now?
Redesigning our logo and 3-year-old website/stationery
(check back in mid September). Focusing our energy
in brand and corporate identity development. Recently
designed the logo for the Las Vegas Monorail,
a logo for the oldest/largest flag manufacturer
in Russia (cool name, Oktober) various promotions
for AOL, and currently working on a logo for a
major internationally-televised Hollywood TV event,
as well as rebranding several companies and organizations
in a variety of industries.
What are your plans for the future?
Keep pushing my skills. Continue teaming up with
corporations, PR/marketing firms, major advertising
agencies, etc. for sweet logo/branding project
opportunities.
What American artist inspires you most?
David Lynch
What unlocks your creativity?
Film. Opportunity. Stimulants. |
