Inspiration
Growing up I never really thought I would go to school for graphic design. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted a career that could align with my passions. Skiing, skateboarding, and fishing were a huge part of my childhood and who I am today. These passions are what I find inspiration in and what got me into design in the first place. From ski videos to skateboard graphics, to packaging design of fishing lures, I find inspiration everywhere I go.
From a young age, I dreamed of being a pro skier. I was obsessed with the fashion, ski graphics, and the attitude that the skiers had. Every fall I would buy the new ski movies from the previous winter and watch them on repeat. I knew the tricks, the music, and what the skier was wearing in each clip. I was studying them and finding inspiration from all of my favorite skiers. Once I got my hands on a video camera is when I took this inspiration and made it my own. Making videos with my brothers and friends allowed me to be creative, free, and myself. As I started making more videos, more people started to notice. This led me to travel to new places, form new relationships, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Today in skiing I am constantly inspired by my friends a.k.a the Zootspace crew. Although they are not so-called “designers”, they are some of the most creative people I know. My friend Oliver and Jake have filmed two Xgames real street videos. My friend Chuck makes his own hats selling them across the country. My friend Pete recycles clothing making some of the coolest snow pants, jackets, and bags I have seen. Skiing has led me to all of these people and something I will forever be thankful for.
Similar to skiing, there is inspiration everywhere in skateboarding. Skaters are trendsetters and some of the most unique and creative people. I love how most skaters are designers or artists and are creative in ways outside of skateboarding. Mark Gonzales is a great example. Mark is a 52-year-old pro skateboarder that is also a well-known artist. Marks' creativity has allowed him to work with Adidas, Supreme, Jansport, and his own skateboard company “Krooked”.
Another skater that I am inspired by is Josh Manoles. Josh is a Minnesota based designer that I have actually had the pleasure of meeting. Not only is Josh a ripping skater but his design work stands out and speaks for itself. Some of my favorite work he has done is with “Public snowboards”. Josh runs its design program and is a company that I love mainly for its graphics. Josh has also done some work for Adidas, Videograss, and Cal Surf.
Unlike skiing and skateboarding, fishing is a lot slower paced. With a lot of downtime, it allows me to think of ways to progress not only myself but my design work. As time goes on and on I sit back and reflect on how I can become a better designer. I think of designers I like, why I like them, what mediums they use, and how I can bring my everyday thoughts to life.
With skiing, skateboarding, and fishing, it is hard not to be inspired. You can never perfect these activities just like design. Both my passions and design bring out the best in me and challenge me to become better. In the future, I hope to combine my passions with the skills I learned in school and find my dream job in the design world.