I never realized I was interested in design until I noticed how interested I was in album covers and the stories that went with them. I grew up listening to many of the Brit bands of the time, and one of my major musical influences was New Order. I found out a designer named Peter Saville designed all of New Order and the rest of Factory Records' album covers. On the "New Order Story" Peter Saville went in to great detail the reasoning behind each of his works. The funny thing is that the band members didn't even care, or even really like the covers; however, his works had purpose to them.
It was then that I decided I wanted to learn more about design.
After I graduated with a degree with a graphic design emphasis, I started to work in the industry for a photographer as a production artist and photography assistant. It was a great learning experience. I was in a field that I respected very much, and currently try to do as a hobby. I would build sets and meet people from all walks of life; every day was different and unique. I realized after a couple of years of working there that deep down I wasn't done learning. I was missing something.
At the time web and interactive media was relatively new and something I really wanted to learn and know more about. I decided to go back to school to learn about the web and interactive media. I knew this field wasn't going anywhere. If anything, it will grow and become a major part of the market.
During the last year of my schooling, one of my college classmates was living a block from my wife, my then girlfriend at the time. After a visit, I found out he was freelancing in graphic design. We began discussing how there weren't any real design firms in the area, but the need was there.
It was from that conversation the ball started rolling and really hasn't stopped for my career in web. My friend opened up a design studio and asked if I wanted to work there. I took a big chance and I have to say it paid off tremendously for my personal growth. After seven years of ups and downs in a small market area, the business has made a name for itself, a client list that is both local and national, I became a partner, and now I'm back at school as an instructor. I teach web classes for the very organization that I once learned from. It's a good feeling, but I'm definitely not done learning and I still have more to give.
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