Title: Art Director
Company: Doner
Number of years in design: 4
Past Companies: Huge, Digitas, Commonwealth//McCann
Education: CCS, Advertising, 2015 / Cass Tech, Graphic Design, 2010
AIGA Member since: March 10, 2010

Who has been the most influential person in your career?
My wife Courtney, she is a Graphic Designer, so she knows how to support me creatively. She knows when I can do better quality work, she encourages me to take creative risks, she knows when I have too much work on my plate, and she inspires me to try new things.

What is your favorite thing about design?
My favorite thing about design is that it constantly changes. There are new techniques, technologies, and styles that make this industry exciting and indispensable.

What is the most memorable moment of your career?
My most memorable moment was the first project in the professional Advertising world. I helped create wall graphics, mugs, t-shirts, and a coffee table book. I didn’t know if the project would be produced but I enjoyed working on it. Later on, I was told that the project was produced and the wall graphics were installed so I was excited I came to find out it was for the General Motors International Office in Singapore! That was a great feeling having work done across the globe and it being my first project as an intern!

What advice would you give to someone just getting started in the design world?
Read a lot of Art/Design history. Sleep, take vacations and eat regularly. Create side projects to inspire and push yourself. Follow other creatives who inspire you.

What is your favorite thing about AIGA Detroit?
My favorite thing about AIGA Detroit is the events and member portfolios so, you can meet local Creatives and see what type of work they are doing.

What inspires you as a designer?
Illustration, spoken-word poetry, music and music videos.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a designer and how have you handled them?
One of my biggest challenges was constantly comparing my work to other creatives. I am still working on that but learning to appreciate and celebrate creative differences, my peer’s achievements, and taking breaks to refuel inspiration are helping me unlearn that habit.

What are you excited to learn or work on next?
Murals are exciting to me, with every project, I learn something new and I believe they enhance my design and art direction skills.