chARTer // launching careers, inspiring creativity

11/ 1 3/ 1 5 ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ORRVILLE, OHIO

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Looking back on my years growing up in this

community, I carry a profound fondness for all the people and places that make it so uniquely special. I will forever owe a debt of gratitude to this entire community full of family, friends, teachers and coaches, who helped open so many doors of opportunity along the way. That said, it means the world to me that I can come back to Orrville today and start to repay that debt forward...

In 2013, my wife Mandy and I tragically lost our son Carter Aiden Winget at 38 weeks gestation and delivered him still-born. While our little boy never had the chance to live-out his calling here on this Earth, it is important to us that his legacy be celebrated and carried-on through positive initiatives like chARTer. Thanks to the generosity of many in the wake of our tragedy, the Carter Aiden Winget Memorial Foundation was developed with the mission of helping creative-minded young adults like yourselves to uncover the exciting world of opportunity lying just ahead.

Seven months after chARTer’s successful launch in 2014, co-founder and my Father Morgan Winget Jr. succomed to a massive heart attack while exercising at the Orrville YMCA. Only 67 at the time of his abrupt death, the void he left is one that can never be filled. Knowing how passionate Morgan was about chARTer and a host of educational initiatives he supported, we are putting on the program as a tribute to his loving and ever-lasting legacy as well.

Over the course of the day, you will have the opportunity to learn from, be inspired by, and interact with successful professionals from a broad range of creative fields who have taken time from their busy careers to beOwith FR N Tyou today. My hope is that you will take full advantage of this opportunity to garner insights from these pros who have already walked a mile down the same road which you are about to embark on. Be inquisitive, open your mind up to the possibilities, get inspired and most importantly, have fun...

IN MEMORIUM

MORGAN G. WINGET 1947-2014

JUSTIN WINGET CHARTER CO-FOUNDER

10.13.15

TODAY’S SCHEDULE MORNING 7:45 AM 8:15 AM 8:30 AM

8:40 AM

9:10 AM

9:40 AM 9:50 AM

11:45 AM

STUDENTS & PANELISTS ARRIVE DOORS OPEN TO AUDITORIUM WELCOME REMARKS JUSTIN WINGET KEYNOTE ADDRESS ONE ALISON WEBER KEYNOTE ADDRESS TWO RYAN BRAZELTON BREAK PANEL DISCUSSION MODERATOR: JUSTIN WINGET

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LUNCH PANELISTS AVAILABLE DURING LUNCH TO CHAT CASUALLY WITH STUDENTS

AFTERNOON 12:15 PM AFTERNOON OVERVIEW JUSTIN WINGET

STUDENTS WILL DIVIDE INTO THREE GROUPS THAT WILL ROTATE IN THIRTY MINUTE INCREMENTS BETWEEN THREE AFTERNOON STATIONS STATION ONE :: COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES STATION TWO :: COLLEGE PLANNING DIVIDED INTO TWO SUBGROUPS: - GROUP ONE :: PREPARING TO PREPARE - GROUP TWO :: 1-1 PORTFOLIO REVIEWS STATION THREE :: A DAY IN THE LIFE 1:50 PM

CLOSING REMARKS JUSTIN WINGET

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Justin serves as the Creative Director for Levy Restaurants, the industry leader in sports and entertainment dining with over 100 premier accounts worldwide. Having crafted design, hospitality, retail and marketing strategies for some of the biggest S&E brands in the business, Justin is charged with leading a team of designers and external resources from a broad range of creative disciplines. On a daily basis he collaborates with other graphic designers, environmental designers, architects, interior designers, photographers, creative strategists, videographers, production artists, marketing professionals, food stylists, fashion stylists, motion graphics animators, packaging designers/ engineers, illustrators, digital renderers, web designers, multimedia designers, production artists and presentation layout specialists.

In addition to his role as Creative Director, Justin is also an accomplished food, portrait and landscape photographer and has most recently taken on the challenge of penning his first autobiography, “The 33rd Chapter, Another year on the brink of Peace, Parenthood & Prosperity.” The book, expected to be released sometime in early 2016 details he and his wife, Mandy’s harrowing journey back from two late prenatal losses and subsequently through the trials and tribulations of several rounds of IVF in attempt to finally conceive a healthy child.

Justin’s design and photography work has been featured in the pages of Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Food & Wine Magazine, American Way Magazine, LogoLounge, Forbes, SignGallery and in his first self-published book, “365+2010 – an Autophotographic Journey” detailing a year in his life through a picture a day.

JUSTIN WINGET SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR LEV Y RESTAURANTS

HIGH SCHOOL: ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL / ORRVILLE, OH

COLLEGE: BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

BFA GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIZATION IN PHOTOGRAPHY

365+ 2010 - AN AUTOPHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

QUESTIONS FOR JUSTIN

A N AU TO P H OTO G R A P H IC J O UR N E Y

W I T H

J U S T I N

W I N G E T

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PANELIST

Alison began her career vending hot dogs at the old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Since that time she has followed her passion for the industry all the way up to her current role as Executive V. P. of Strategy + Creative Group for industry-leading Levy Restaurants and their 100+ sports, entertainment, restaurants and retail partners. Named as a “Game Changer” by Sports Business Journal in 2014, Alison is one of the most influential women in the industry leading the Company’s creative charge along with chARTer cofounder and Levy’s Senior Creative Director Justin Winget.

Starting with Levy in 1992, she has been an integral part of the Company’s tremendous growth and evolution in that span. The first of its kind in the industry, Alison white-papered the concept of a dedicated Innovations a​​ rm in 2003. The vision was delivered the following year when the Innovations Studio & Test Kitchen opened its doors and fired up its ovens. In 2012, she took on an expanded role to bring these disciplines together and is now overseeing the Company’s next evolution in the form of the Strategy + Creative Group. Focused on developing sustainable points of difference, Alison is driven to use responsible ideation, strategic creativity, forward thinking and countless tastings that brings concepts, trends and well-thought out “great experiences” to life.

A marketing background by trade that first started in the retail industry for Bloomingdale’s department stores, Alison has branched her vast expertise into every aspect of the creative process. “Bringing it all together” she leads an internal team that includes Graphic Designers, Environmental Designers, Creative Strategists, Marketers, Researchers, and Communications/PR experts that form Levy’s creative brain-trust known as the Strategy + Creative Group.

ALISON WEBER

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY + CREATIVE

LEV Y RESTAURANTS

HIGH SCHOOL: BRECKSVILLE H.S, BRECKSVILLE, OH

COLLEGE:

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

BS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

QUESTIONS FOR ALISON

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PANELIST

Ryan is an artist that realized he needed a regular pay check and became a designer.

Having worked in branding and creating retail experiences all over the world, he loves bringing artistry to the experiences and “creative” that he gets to work on everyday.

HIGH SCHOOL: MILTON UNION / WEST MILTON, OH

COLLEGES: BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

RYAN BRAZELTON SENIOR DIRECTOR, DESIGN INTERBRAND

BFA GRAPHIC DESIGN

QUESTIONS FOR RYAN

Kurt is a Lead Web Designer at Orbit Media Studios, a Chicago-based web company which

SESSION MODERATOR

focuses on creating CMS managed websites ranging in scale from small businesses to massive e-commerce catalogs. A typical day at the office for him could include client presentations, project designs, and internal discussions on company process and technology changes.

He works hands-on with his projects, creating the actual deliverables he’ll later present and making decisions on usability, functionality, aesthetics, and branding along the way.

Outside of the office Kurt loves taking advantage of all the city of Chicago has to offer, be it the restaurants, concerts, festivals, you name it. Anything that involves a good time with the great people he’s come to know. He’s full of passion and energy and has a laugh you could hear across a crowded room. In the summer you’ll often see him riding his red wheeled bicycle around Wicker Park.

HIGH SCHOOL: BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL (BRADFORD, OH) COLLEGE: BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

BS VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

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KURT CRUSE LEAD WEB DESIGNER ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS

S O CI A L M E DI A RO CK S TA R

H

QUESTIONS FOR KURT

Nick has over 10 years experience creating, pitching and leading interactive efforts for brands

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big and small. Currently he is the Creative Director at Orbit Media Studios, an award-winning web design agency in Chicago, IL, recently named to the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies list. A day in the life includes managing and inspiring a powerhouse creative team, pitching and producing digital work for clients, and being an energized part of agency leadership. Clients he has worked with include W Hotels, Mesirow Financial, Midtown Athletic Clubs, Vienna Beef, Lincoln Park Zoo, Gibson’s Restaurant Group, The Second City, BioElements, Fleet Feet Sports and Career Builder.

In addition to his role as Creative Director, Nick is also an accomplished artist producing artwork for public companies and private collectors through his company Haastyle Inc. Over the last decade, in addition to exclusive showcases in Los Angeles and Chicago, and serving as unique statement pieces for the walls of over 100 private and corporate clients across the country, Nick’s artwork has been licensed for posters, album covers, book covers, and film title sequences. Some of his clients include DigitasLbi, William Morris Endeavor, Random House, Livingstone Partners and Safeway Insurance.

Nick’s work has been recognized by GD USA, The Communicator Awards, W3 Awards, Sammy Awards, NHBA Awards, Smashing Magazine, The Chicago Sun Times, CS Magazine, The Chicago Tribune and various sites and blogs. He has also served as Vice President of the board for the Society of Typographic Arts, one of the nation’s oldest design organizations and continues to support them as an active member.

NICK HAAS CREATIVE DIRECTOR ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS

HIGH SCHOOL: ST. IGNATIUS HIGH SCHOOL

CLEVELAND, OH

COLLEGE: DEPAUL UNIVERSITY, IL

BFA GRAPHIC DESIGN

QUESTIONS FOR NICK

Laura is a full time photographer and has owned and operated her own studio for almost ten

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years. She specializes in weddings, children, and equine photography, but photographs all life cycles. She found her love for photography at the age of seven, when she was gifted her first camera and began to photograph the people and things around her. She continued to photograph mostly animals and landscapes until she graduated from college and found her true passion was portrait photography. She truly enjoys going to work everyday and being able to make a living out in a creative field of work.

HIGH SCHOOL: SMITHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL / SMITHVILLE, OH COLLEGE: MYERS SCHOOL OF ART, UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

LAURA IMHOFF OWNER & PHOTOGRAPHER PERCEPTION STUDIO

BFA PHOTOGRAPHY MINORS IN COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, PAINTING & ART HISTORY

QUESTIONS FOR LAURA

Melanie graduated from Orrville High School in 1998 and was accepted into the

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Fashion Design program at The University of Cincinnati’s DAAP (Design Art Architecture & Planning). She had always been interested in art and fashion. Her mother had exposed her to some art classes outside of school at a young age.

In college, after looking at the curriculums of different majors, she decided to switch her major from Fashion Design to focus on a Graphic Design major. During the five years of studying Graphic Design, Melanie participated in UC’s co-op program, which allowed her to live in Dallas, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Boston during six different internships. Those experiences in the industry gave her real-world experience before graduating from UC (’03) and landing a design job at American Greetings - World Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.

For several years, Melanie has worked as a Senior Product Designer for the Inbound Licensing department at American Greetings. She designs a variety of social expression products; cards, gift bags and wrapping paper, stickers, seasonal product, and party goods found in mass retailers like Target and Wal-Mart. Working closely with licensors such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, Hasbro, and Sanrio, Melanie manages AG’s Juvenile Valentine box program and art directs freelancers on the designs of that program. Outside of her main job functions, Melanie has done many projects with other departments within the organization. These include designing online greeting cards for Cardstore.com, creating style guides for American Greetings Intellectual Properties team (creators of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake) and even modeling for the photo studio’s photo shoots. Recently, Melanie has taken her love for photography and has decided to start a business photographing people.

MELANIE JOYCE

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

AMERICAN GREETINGS

HIGH SCHOOL: ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, ORRVILLE, OH COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI – DAAP

BS GRAPHIC DESIGN

QUESTIONS FOR MELANIE

SESSION MODERATOR

Suzy brings innovative thinking, a wealth of branding expertise and a passion for creating

one-of-a-kind dining experiences to Levy Restaurants.

In her twentieth year career with Levy, Suzy has overseen marketing strategies for the Company’s restaurants, co-led the creative development of the global Levy brand, and created countless individual restaurant brands and conceptualized dining experiences at Levy’s Sports & Entertainment facilities.

Suzy began her career at Levy in 1995 as Marketing Director. In this role, she was responsible for marketing Levy’s portfolio of themed restaurants, including DIVE! in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, a joint restaurant venture of partners Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg, and Levy Restaurants, and Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and Downtown Disney World® in Orlando. For the next six years, Lenet consulted for clients such as HMSHost, Sony and Fox Sports. In 2000 Suzy created Orville & Wilbur’s Wings Just Right for Tyson Chicken, one of the most successful food & beverage concepts to ever hit college campuses. She also helped conceptualize the dining experiences at American Girl Place stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.

After a phenomenal period of growth in the late nineties, Lenet collaborated with Alison Weber, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Levy to craft the business plan for Levy Innovations, a group developed to maintain competitive advantage through strategic forward thinking, cutting-edge design and culinary R&D. Prior to joining Levy Restaurants, Lenet had more than 20 years of marketing and branding experience with Dayton’s Department Stores, Girl Scouts of America and Target Stores where she learned the ropes under renowned retail marketing strategist John Pellegrene.

SUZY LENET THE LIGHTBULB LEV Y RESTAURANTS

HIGH SCHOOL: FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL / DAYTON, OH

COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN (MADISON)

BA MASS COMMUNICATIONS

NIC

TITY CK EATS ROUGH IDEN

IDEATION

QUESTIONS FOR SUZY

Ryan graduated from The Cleveland

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Institute of Art in 2009 with a BFA in Industrial Design.

He is an Industrial Designer for MTD Products Inc., a world leader in Outdoor Power Equipment, as well as the Northern Ohio Chapter Chair of The Industrial Designers Society of America. Ryan has worked on a wide variety of products focused around the yard, garden and more.

Human factors, materials, processes, and understanding the user and products by intense research are at the core of Ryan’s professional interests.

In his time away from work, Ryan enjoys photography, travel, home improvement projects, and spending time with his family.

HIGH SCHOOL: ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL / ORRVILLE, OH COLLEGE: CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART

RYAN MAIBACH INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER MTD PRODUCTS INC.

BFA INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

QUESTIONS FOR RYAN

Kiley is an interior designer with Lee Meier Interiors, a full service design firm in Westlake, Ohio

PANELIST

specializing in residential and commercial projects. Kiley received her degree from Ohio University in Interior Design.

Her background includes residential work as well as experience in restaurant and retail design. Prior to joining Lee Meier Kiley worked in marketing and merchandising for an upholstery manufacturer. This involved studying current and upcoming trends to develop a fabric and furniture collection each season. She also contributed to the showroom design and presentation for each seasonal collection.

Kiley enjoys following style and color trends and translating them to best fit the client’s personal style. Thoughtfully mixing materials, textures, patterns and incorporating clients’ special items makes each concept unique. Her favorite part the design process getting to know the clients to create a space that enhances their lifestyle and tells a story in their home.

Kiley is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, the Wooster Young Professionals and is a board member of Forget-Me-Not Baskets, Inc. a nonprofit organization. When not in the studio, Kiley and her husband Kevin enjoy playing with their twin baby sons.

HIGH SCHOOL: ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL / ORRVILLE, OH COLLEGE: OHIO UNIVERSITY

KILEY MCALLISTER INTERIOR DESIGNER

LEE MEIER INTERIORS

BFA INTERIOR DESIGN

QUESTIONS FOR KILEY

MEL’S mother once said that her only drive for going to 2nd grade was to see who

PANELIST

was wearing which barrettes in their hair...and the rest is history.

A model herself who has graced the pages of Elle, Marie Claire, Chicago Magazine and countless other publications, Mel has now taken her lifelong passion for the fashion industry and turned it into a career dressing others.

Whether styling for a media spot or outfitting the largest sports venues in the country, Mel’s classically-inspired sensibility has taken the once overlooked hospitality industry by storm. Focused on the artful details that create succinct guest experiences, Mel’s 360º approach to her craft contemplates everything that guests see, touch, hear, feel and smell with perfect harmony.

HIGH SCHOOL: STERLING HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL /

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI

COLLEGE: WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY / DETROIT, MI

MEL MUOIO LIFESTYLIST LEV Y RESTAURANTS

COMMUNICATIONS

QUESTIONS FOR MEL

Rob grew up in the historic seaside village of Cold Spring Harbor, New York. A graduate of Rhode

PANELIST

Island School of Design, Robert studied painting under Master, Thomas Sgouros. Inspired by early British landscape painters such as J. W. Turner and Whistler, Robert approaches his work by inventing from nature, “ I like to be spontaneous, by abstracting the forms I try to create a sense of mood and atmosphere.” He combines a variety of textures and shapes blended with quick brush strokes to achieve a sense of lost and found. Throughout his travels, he is always recording from life. Roth is also particularly inspired by the likes of Degas, Vuillard, Diebenkorn, and Picasso.

His paintings are held in public and private collections including The Ritz Carlton, American Express, The New Yorker, Columbia University and Northeastern University.

Robert has received numerous honors including a Silver Medal from The Cleveland Museum of Art and two medals from The Hecksher Museum. Robert has exhibited his work in New York City, East Hampton, Santa Fe, Washington DC and Martha’s Vineyard. He spends much of his summer island bound off the coast of Cape Cod and resides in an 1850’s farmhouse and studio in Northeast Ohio with his wife, Cheryl (RISD Alumni), and their two daughters.

HIGH SCHOOL: COLD SPRING HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL

COLD SPRINGS HARBOR, NY

COLLEGE: RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN

ROB ROTH ARTIST ROBERT ROTH GALLERY

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS

QUESTIONS FOR ROB

Grant is a freelance video director and editor based out of Columbus, Ohio.

PANELIST

Grant attended The Ohio State University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. He was also a member of The Best Damn Band in the Land (O-H!). He then went on to work as an Electrical Controls Engineer, creating automation systems. Throughout his life he has had a passion for video production and after further developing that hobby, he decided to live out his dream of working in video production.

Since then, he has worked on a wide variety of projects but mainly specializes in short form commercial content. Grant works with clients in every aspect of video production including concept creation, lighting, filming, editing, motion-graphics, and animation. Clients he has worked with include American Greetings, YKKAP, Quantum Health, Abbott Laboratories, Case Western Reserve University, Mennonite Mutual, BQE Software, Provimi, and more..

HIGH SCHOOL: ORRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL / ORRVILLE, OH COLLEGE: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

GRANT SMUCKER VIDEO DIRECTOR & EDITOR GS COLLECTIVE

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

QUESTIONS FOR GRANT

SESSION MODERATOR

Ryan is a Senior Designer on the Strategy + Creative Group responsible for the strategic development and design for a variety of company-wide projects ranging from client retention to full-scale master planning efforts.

Working with a team of designers, creative strategists, operational and culinary support, Ryan’s team problem solves by developing innovative solutions that deliver high-level experience design and drive business for a broad range of clients within the entertainment and hospitality markets.

HIGH SCHOOL: MARION L STEELE HIGH SCHOOL /

AMHERST, OH

COLLEGE: OHIO UNIVERSITY

RYAN SOSNOWSKI SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER LEV Y RESTAURANTS

BS VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATION DESIGN / INFORMATIONAL GRAPHICS SPECIALTY OF JOURNALISM

QUESTIONS FOR RYAN

Q&A WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE YOUR

18 YEAR-OLD SELF

LOOKING AHEAD TOWARDS COLLEGE AND A PROFESSIONAL CAREER?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try things that you might be a little uncomfortable with. That might be a class, a club, a sport, or even a place.

COLLEGE IS ALL ABOUT FINDING OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND WHAT YOU WANT TO BE. Be mindful, but cut the cord a little and get out there!

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE UNEXPECTED, FIND WHAT IT IS YOU ARE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT IN LIFE AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF IT. The most successful people I know all have one thing in common...they LOVE what they do.

in fact, embrace it.

The path you have mapped out in your head will change directions. Accept that and adapt to it.

Also, being good to people and putting in the hard work pays off.

As artists, we all have a unique point of view.

DON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED YOUR NATURAL TALENT. Find it, feed it and fuel it into your creative confidence.

Don’t be afraid of criticism & feedback, hunger for it.

FIND THE BEST ROLE MODELS AND FIGURE OUT THEIR SECRETS!

SPEND TIME DISCOVERING WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES because those differences get you noticed.

I grew most as an artist when I stopped looking at other photographer’s work. My work became a style unique to me, and people could pick out that it was mine and wanted to hire me for what only I could create.

Don’t focus on the amount of time it’s going to take to receive your degree or the intimidation of what you do not know. FOCUS

ON FINDING WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE IN THIS WORLD and learn how to do a anything that supports that passion.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES, MEET PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND LEARN FROM THEM. See the world and learn from being outside of your daily box of what you do and see.

TRY TO APPLY TO AT LEAST 4 COLLEGES BASED ON YOUR FOCUS OF INTEREST.

Make sure you tour each campus and the surrounding town or city. Most importantly, make sure the school has a strong department and faculty for your area of study.

The world is open to you - explore it and get out of your comfort zone.

BE CURIOUS.

LEARN HOW YOU LEARN. DESIGN IS SOMETHING YOU DO BECAUSE IT IS YOUR PASSION AND MAKES YOU HAPPY PROFESSIONALLY.

My professors told us this is not something you do to make lots of money. That did not mean a lot to me at the time. I would see other graduates starting out at much higher salaries and progressing on this way through their careers, but I’m not so sure they love getting up to do their job each day.

BE AWARE OF HOW MUCH STUDENT LOAN DEBT YOU ARE ACQUIRING.

A lot of people go to the most expensive school because they think that will give them the best education, but then they spend their whole lives paying off the debt.

Find a mentor. If it’s a teacher or somebody you already know, or maybe a professional in the field you haven’t met yet, seek out someone who can light the path with wisdom, advice and encouragement on your journey into a creative career.

HAVE SOMEBODY TO LOOK UP TO AND GUIDE YOUR WAY TO THAT DREAM JOB YOU WERE MEANT TO HAVE.

Q&A WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR

CREATIVE INSPIRATION? IN THE QUIET MOMENTS...

WHEN I GRANT MYSELF THE TIME TO BE STILL and slow down my mind. It’s amazing how much clarity and inspiration you can get around a creative challenge when you just let your thoughts wander a bit. There is a reason I always keep a pad of paper and a pencil next to my bed.

Thoughts are fleeting!

Whenever I need a creative boost,

I RE-READ MY FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOKS

or I dive into my kids’ best-loved stories.

I find I can let go, remove some of the stress and inspire curiosity. It takes me back to a time where I wondered and I asked why?

Reading good books, watching great movies, traveling... basically

FINDING WAYS TO CONNECT WITH POWERFUL EMOTIONS THAT HELP ME FIND WAYS TO EXPRESS EMOTION IN THE WORK I DO.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PASSIONATE AND INTERESTING PEOPLE. You’re about to be

surrounded with an entire new population of people all your same age, find some that inspire you and do your best to inspire others.

SEEING WHAT OTHERS CREATE GETS ME INSPIRED.

It ranges from the daily interactions with people on our team or work found on design inspiration sites to taking a walk outside and admiring architecture.

Inspiration can be found in almost anything. Conditioning your mind to always be on the look out for it is key to being continually inspired.

I CREATE MOOD BOARDS - COLORS, TEXTURES, PRODUCTS SOUNDS ETC. that make me have emotional responses.

I set the boards around my office as inspiration for things that I love most, and work to infuse the feel of them into my work.

I also take “sanity breaks”. Sometimes you just have to step away from work and hit the refresh button and take a day for yourself to do so something else that you love.

I’m inspired by many of the things around me

NATURE, MY FAMILY, FASHION, AND THE MANY TALENTED CREATIVE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.

Stepping away from the computer and from work and traveling recharges my creativity before starting a design project. The trip could just be to a local park, to a museum or even meeting with another creative person.

WORKING WITH YOUNGER GENERATIONS,

my grand children and exploring what the world might be like five years down the road.

ATTEND DESIGN CONFERENCES, design research and continual exposure to design trends.

I LOVE SEEING BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY OF SPACES OR NATURE. When there is an opportunity to travel in the U.S. or internationally, much inspiration can come from the people and architecture of these cities.

I TRAVEL, READ AND TRY TO HAVE FRIENDS IN THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY who are experts in different fields.

I am always experimenting with new mediums, different paints such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic, collage/cut-paper, found objects, drawing, and photography.

I also mix between abstraction and semi-realism within my art, which helps keep me fresh. I also stay in touch with what’s going on past and present within the art world, including Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Architecture and Interior Design.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I VISIT AS MANY MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES AS I CAN.

Traveling is a huge inspiration for me.

Being able to see new sites and different perspectives brings a new light and new ideas. It is also something that I enjoy doing and while I’m traveling

I DON’T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT TRYING TO BE CREATIVE. JUST BEING IN THE MOMENT.

When you aren’t trying to force it, is when creativity comes naturally.

JUST BE AWARE OF WHAT’S AROUND YOU AT ALL TIMES. Culture changes

via fashion, environmental design, print design, digital advertising, social media, music, etc—all these mediums affect the way we as human beings communicate with one another. Honing into this awareness inspires me creatively from day to day, or even year to year—as trends shift the way we experience life.

Q&A WHAT CAN STUDENTS PROACTIVELY BE DOING NOW TO

START LEARNING YOUR CRAFT? START ONLINE WITH THE ENDLESS FREE AND LOWCOST RESOURCES OUT THERE LIKE SKILLSHARE.COM which teach your the technical nuances of every creative field imaginable. More than anything, create without boundaries, give yourself permission to fail and seek to surprising even yourself by what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

No matter the creative discipline,

LEARNING ABOUT COLLABORATION TECHNIQUES WILL HELP ENSURE YOUR BEST WORK and the best buy-in of it. I always say, “A party is no fun by yourself.”

Get the creative suite, get lynda.com and learn, play, and experiment...

CREATE. CREATE. CREATE.

Just go for it! All it takes to get experience building and coding websites is a computer.

THERE ARE TONS OF FREE ONLINE TUTORIALS AND RESOURCES. Build a site for your friend, your Aunt Linda, your yet to be formed garage band!

There is so much access to information online as it relates to web and digital design.

RESEARCH THE TYPE OF DIGITAL WORK YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING AND LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT IT. Whether it’s web design, digital advertising, app design or all of the above. Each has tools and skills you can start learning about immediately.

Read your camera manual and know what all the buttons do. If you have the technical aspects down of shooting prior to furthering your education, you will have time to focus on the creative aspects.

YOU CAN ALSO ASK TO ASSIST A PHOTOGRAPHER AT SHOOTS. Just watching them work can be a major inspiration and you will gain lots of business knowledge you will not get in college.

Watch any tutorial videos online you can find. Come up with new ideas to create projects in Photoshop and Illustrator so you can learn the process, beginning to end, of a complete project.

PRETEND YOU ARE DOING A REAL LOGO DESIGN, PHOTO SHOOT, OR EDITING PHOTOS for a local company. Play around with the tools and techniques.

Even by opening the programs you will be leaps and bounds ahead of my experience prior to entering college.

BECOME A GOOD WRITER, listener and believe in your self / creative confidence.

SKETCH,

understand 3-Dimensional forms, learn a CAD modeling program, and build a website or mobile app.

BEGIN TO BUILD YOUR ART PORTFOLIO with current pieces and enroll in the industrial technology drafting classes. I did not realize how important drawing and drafting would be in college design courses.

Understanding how things are put together is crucial, especially when it comes to custom pieces and millwork cabinetry.

Try to work or get a part time apprenticeship in the affiliated industry,

OFFER TO BE AN INTERN AND MAKE AN EXPERT’S LIFE EASIER! They will show you the ropes and you will be their first referral when someone asks.

KEEP A SKETCHBOOK

and fill it up with all your big and small ideas, no rules. Study up on the masters in every creative field. Research and learn as much as you can about Art History.

You will start to connect with certain periods and various artists. Experiment with various medias, traditional hands-on art and digital art. I would start with the fundamentals first, drawing and painting from life. I have found that observing and recording things from life will give you a very strong foundation for any artistic path you take.

Make stuff. Watch tutorials and learn from them.

LEARN THE SOFTWARE IN AND OUT SO WHEN YOU GET TO SCHOOL IT IS SECOND NATURE and you can just create.

You’re won’t be bogged down trying to learn technical things.

SO MUCH FREE INFORMATION ONLINE. Technical skills can be crafted and built upon with just a click of a mouse or swipe of a finger. Use this to your advantage and gain as much knowledge as you can—this will put you head of the game whether you are starting classes in college or heading into “the real world.”

Q&A WHERE IS YOUR CREATIVE DISCIPLINE HEADED IN THE

FUTURE? AND WHAT JOB SKILLS DO YOU

FORESEE BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT?

The web and design aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Nearly every business has a website and

INTERACTIVE DESIGN IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE A PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES. There are

apps on your phone, your watch, heck, in the dash of your car. The need to design around human interactions or those seeking to complete a task on a digital device is in demand!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE USER. EMBRACING “WHOLE BRAIN THINKING” MORE THAN EVER. The most successful designers are equal parts visual and analytical meaning they are applying their creative logic towards solving complex business challenges in addition to the visual side of solutioning.

CREATIVITY IS BEING RECOGNIZED ACROSS A RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS as a very necessary business tool to bring people together, keep them open minded and solve for problems in a much different manner. You are seeing more Chief Creative Officers helping to set the vision and drive collaboration to achieve it. As companies are pushed to think boldly and nimbly to forge ahead successfully, creativity will grow into a much more defined practice.

DESIGN IS BECOMING MORE VAST AND ENCOMPASSING all

the time. I see a future where experience design is driving a the need to truly blend analog craft with digital connection...and they aren’t different things, just parts of a whole.

Having a solid foundation in visual design and web principles will always be important but it’s not enough.

We are living in a multi-device world where user acceptance is critical to success with user experience design as the science. This coupled with visual design will continue to be the most important skills in the web / digital space.

TRUE PROFESSIONALS AND LOW END AMATEURS ARE ALL COMPETING. We are now headed back to people seeking true pros instead bargain pricing. Being good at marketing yourself is probably the most important skill. I see lots of great photographers go out of business because they can’t market themselves a lot of mediocre photographers become famous because they are genius at the business.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AS A WHOLE IS BECOMING A MORE MULTIFUNCTIONING PROFESSION. It is expected in the industry that we are involved with a project from start to finish on all levels. Being able to communicate your ideas both visually and verbally are very important!

EVEREVOLVING and Branding -

always connecting with next generations of users.

The product design field is at a cross roads with technology RIGHT NOW. Products are being injected with various technologies every day and are advancing rapidly toward an ever connected world.

The most important part of product design in the foreseeable future is

THE ROLE THE DESIGNER PLAYS IN SHAPING THE OVERALL PRODUCT EXPERIENCE.

HGTV programs convey to clients that there is much time, thought and skill that goes in to the process of designing. Expedited time frames on TV are not realistic!

BEING A PROBLEM SOLVER IS KEY. There is much value in having a pro to make sure the space not only comes together aesthetically, but also avoids costly mistakes in the process.

IT’S HEADED INTO A MORE INTERACTIVE ROUTE. Visual communications strategies now always involves how someone can share it on social media.

In pursuing a fine art painting path,

I NEED TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIMENT AND CREATE WORK THAT IS EXCITING TO ME, NOT STAYING SAFE and complacent

with my ideas. Take risks and keep discovering new paths within my work.

My job skills are two different parts; one would be to continue to push my painting both with my ideas and application.

The second part, the business of art: I stay connected with the galleries that represent my work and always continue to search out new opportunities to showcase my art.

Cameras are becoming better and cheaper and nowadays everyone has a great camera on their phone. What separates people though, is being able to light and compose your shots well.

BEING ABLE TO ‘SCULP’ LIGHT IN ANY SITUATION AND ENVIRONMENT IS A VERY IMPORTANT SKILL IN THE IMAGING WORLD. Another

separator is knowing advanced 2d and 3d animating software.

These are things that take a lot of time to learn and many hours of mastering, something that a lot of people don’t have the patience or drive to pursue.

As strong as 2D design still is in present communication,

THERE IS A DEMAND FOR CROSSUTILIZATION OF MEDIUMS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD.

What can be developed on paper whether it be strategy or a flushed out design piece—must communicate just as strong in the digital and mobile side of things. Understanding and being aware of digital design and how it functions is a must as a designer of any discipline.

Q&A TO BE SUCCESSFUL

IN YOUR DISCIPLINE YOU NEED TO BE __________________________

BOTH INSPIRED AND INSPIRING...ALL THE TIME. This is not a field you can just clock in and out to get that paycheck.

You need to have good ears to listen, good eyes to envision and the

COURAGE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. TALENTED, HARD WORKING, ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND

INVESTED! It’s growing and changing every day.

ADAPTABLE. The web and technology are changing at such a rapid pace, if you are unwilling to adapt to these changes you will not succeed for very long.

GREAT WITH PEOPLE AND VERY SELFMOTIVATED.

PASSIONATE.

You must be willing to work hard, challenge your own creativity by thinking outside the box – but more importantly, since you’re often working as a team and working with different needs of people at every level,

YOU MUST BE FLEXIBLE, OPEN TO CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ABOUT YOUR WORK, AND WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE INPUT OF OTHERS.

A BIT OUT THERE AND PROUD OF IT! THICK SKINNED!

Open to constructive and emotionally resistant to destructive criticism.

ORGANIZED AND DETAIL ORIENTED. To be able to implement the concept successfully- on time and within budget, there must be much follow up and follow through. Happy clients mean referrals and ongoing projects.

WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE. A hard worker, embrace experimentation, be inquisitive, insightful and

ADAPT TO CHANGE.

YOURSELF.

A lot of people try and fit into the mold of what everyone else is doing or what the current trend is. If you are trying to please everyone, it is easy to get lost in the status quo. If you establish your voice however, your work will be much more inspiring and will eventually get noticed.

ADAPTABLE.

Q&A WHAT IS THE MOST

GLAMOROUS PART OF YOUR JOB?

THE AWESOME CLIENTS I GET TO WORK WITH,

many of which I was a big fan of before they become my clients.

BEING A CATALYST FOR COLLABORATION, MOTIVATION AND IMPROVEMENT along with enjoying the victories earned by the team for our clients.

My Dad used to joke that when he went on business trips, it was to a conference room somewhere in Arkansas while mine are often to some of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the country.

I’VE DRIVEN MY CAR AROUND THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY,

done interviews on-mountain while skiing at Squaw Valley and stood on the grass at Wrigley Field behind home plate for the first pitch. While no job is perfect, I can’t complain...

GETTING AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL GLIMPSE OF MAJOR SPORTING AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. I have to keep adding to my bucket list because I get to see so many cool things.

TRAVELING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Presenting images to my clients.

THEY GET TO HOLD PAST MOMENTS OF ACTUAL TIME in their hands...

Nothing else can offer that but photography.

The many things I do that is considered “work”; trips to NYC, a Taylor Swift concert, WWE event, Sesame Street Live, Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil, trend shopping, and attending opening day movies for any of our licensors (i.e. mostly watching kids movies).

ALSO, I GET TO WORK WITH THE CARE BEARS :) CLIENT PRESENTATIONS

I GET TO DESIGN WHAT PEOPLE SEE TOUCH AND FEEL. Some other disciplines design internal components that the average product owner/user never sees or touches.

GRAND OPENING EVENTS AND PRODUCT LAUNCH PARTIES. It is rewarding being part of a new collection as it goes to market or the opening of a new space. Celebrating with everyone involved in the finished project is a lot of fun.

SEEING YOUR WORK AND IDEAS IN MAGAZINES. BEING ABLE TO ATTEND MY ART EXHIBITION IN SOME SWANKY GALLERY, after spending six months painting in my studio.

Being able to travel and work in a lot of different environments as well as meet new people.

I ALSO GET TO WORK WITH SOME WELLKNOWN BRANDS.

SEEING WORK COME TO FRUITION.

Q&A WHAT IS THE LEAST

GLAMOROUS PART OF YOUR JOB?

THE 200 EMAILS I GET EVERYDAY... Most of which people

expect responses from. I just want to turn Outlook off most days but the expectation to be “responsive” is one that comes with the territory of my role.

Working while traveling.

I CAN TURN ANY AIRPORT FLOOR INTO AN OFFICE. TRAVELING ALL OVER THE WORLD. (and expense reports...)

MAKING COMPROMISES ANDMEETING DEADLINES.

Sometimes the thing that makes the most sense (or is in scope) isn’t the coolest thing.

But over time you learn when to push and when to be a team player.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS such as

reviewing time entry, scopes and budgets.

CLEANING UP AFTER SESSIONS.

Every job has some parts that aren’t fun.

Sometimes entering the technical details of your work into a database feels less glamorous, but it’s necessary for the company to keep the process going or to analyze the data later.

And, sometimes you’re working on multiple projects at a time, while other projects are sort of “behind the scenes.” But

IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND UNDERSTAND WHY THESE THINGS MUST BE DONE, YOU’LL STILL GET A LOT OF ENJOYMENT OUT OF YOUR WORK.

MEETINGS.

SCHLEPPING BOXES before or after a project.

SPENDING LONG HOURS IN MY STUDIO

(coffee in hand, in ripped jeans with jazz music blaring trying to create!) Wait, for me this might be the most glamorous part of my job.

HOURS AND HOURS of editing and revisions.

SEEING WORK NOT COME TO FRUITION

ANSWERING EMAILS...

HAULING AROUND TILE SAMPLES or other heavy boxes place to place. It can get pretty dirty on the job site but it’s a nice change sometimes from working at a desk.

or change in scope. There are a variety of reasons (budget, client opinion, time) that can affect the outcome of a project. As a designer, you need to understand that not all great work is seen, but must remember to take that work to the next challenge.

Q&A WHAT ARE THE COOLEST

PROJECTS YOU HAVE WORKED ON? AS A KID I DREAMED OF RUNNING OUT OF THE TUNNEL AS A BUCKEYE

at Ohio Stadium, speeding around the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and bringing the Browns their first Super Bowl victory. While my athletic career did not pan out as planned, I have been blessed to work on all three of those dream accounts.

Reinventing how fans enjoy food and beverage at sporting events all across the country.

Creating the quintessential little girls’ tea experience at American Girl using my own childhood and kids as inspiration.

ATTENDING THE 2002 OLYMPICS TO CREATE CONTENT AND STORIES ABOUT OUR TEAM WORKING IN SALT LAKE CITY. Envisioning and bring to life a team of amazingly creative people who live to make a difference.

LAUNCHING SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS IN RUSSIA & FRANCE, rebrand of Holiday Inn,

Buffalo Wild Wings rebrand and new prototype.

My favorite projects are the ones where I get to create custom features and figure out how things are going to work.

I LOVE SOLVING COMPLEX FUNCTIONALITY AND USABILITY CHALLENGES. It’s also really fun when you get to work with companies and brands you love. I’ve designed websites for favs like Lou Malnati’s Pizza and Vienna Beef. Working on non-profit sites is another really rewarding thing about my company. Using your expertise for the greater good is just awesome.

CREATING 10,000 SQ. FT. OF ARTWORK

for the DigtasLbi office in Chicago.

Designing touchscreen interfaces for W Hotels. Working with Lincoln Park Zoo and The Second City on their websites. Producing 24 title sequence stills for a full-length feature film “Ball Don’t Lie.”

EVERY PROJECT IS AWESOME BECAUSE EVERY CLIENT IS DIFFERENT!

I’VE DESIGNED MANY END CAPS FOR TARGET AND WAL-MART

with a variety of product. I have also designed style guide art for Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. This art has been applied by licensees to many products all over the world. Some of the coolest projects I have worked on will never be sold in stores. At American Greetings we often design room displays to welcome our licensors. Our most recent was for Disney for some potential princess party goods concepts.

Reinventing F & B experiences at Airports for HMS Host, Trend reports, filtration and

ACTIVATION FOR MICROSOFT

Re-branding of the Girl Scouts, Localization to Portland’s Moda Center, Process of reimagining the F & B experiences at Target Center AND Selling homes in Albania!

A REVOLUTIONARY NEW SNOW THROWER, electric

snow thrower chute control, and most recently Autonomous Lawn and Garden Solutions website & mobile app.

ONE OF MY STYLE CLIENTS HAS A TV SHOW and dressing her for her shows and magazine covers is very fun.

I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MACROSTIE WINERY IN SOMONA, CALIFORNIA. They commissioned

me to create several large-scale landscape paintings for their new winery estate.

I worked closely with the interior designer to create the right mood for the environment. The Ritz Carlton commissioned me to create 7 pieces showcasing all their new hotel boutiques. I was also asked to develop 20 pieces for The Container Store’s summer campaign, they showcased the works in NYC windows, catalogs and billboards throughout the country.

I try and make every project fun and exciting, but one cool thing is shooting with the Phantom Flex4k,

A HIGH-SPEED CAMERA THAT COSTS AS MUCH AS A HOUSE.

ADAPTING FOOD AND BEVERAGE HOSPITALITY INTO THE LARGEST SPORTS VENUE IN THE NATION,

the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, by redefining concession food and the way race fans interact. Also just finished up a large scale photo shoot showcasing our new uniform rollout for the upcoming baseball season. Uniforms being a key visual touch point in the guest experience, it’s exciting to define Levy Style as a forefront of innovation on the fashion side of the business.

NEW STORE REMODEL IN VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA. I was able to work on a

It is a beautiful city and I was fortunate to spend time there during the project.

Q&A THE ONE THING NO ONE PREPARED YOU FOR

HEADING TO COLLEGE?

I WENT TO COLLEGE UNDECIDED IN MAJOR, AND I’M HERE TO TELL YOU, THAT’S OK.

You can change your mind and you can figure it out along the way. That is not to say that you shouldn’t make some decisions and try hard to find what you love, but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have all the answers right now.

How loose the structure really was and having to always stay self motivated. I also had no idea what I wanted to do.

That it would 100% be what I made of it.

The end goal is not to get a degree, especially in any creative field.

THE REAL END GOAL IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE and to get good enough that someone wants to pay you for it.

HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO COLLABORATE. Prior to

college, it was all about my goal, my end game without an appreciation for how beneficial it is to work in a group and be as good at building on others ideas as you are coming up with your own.

DEBT.

MY FIRST MAJOR WAS POLITICAL SCIENCE, NOT THE BEST CHOICE...

KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY DEGREE AND A COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY DEGREE - two completely different fields of work and study.

I FELT AS THOUGH EVERYONE ELSE IN MY CLASS HAD AT LEAST OPENED THE PROGRAMS PRIOR TO COLLEGE. I HAD NOT. That’s why I encourage everyone to look into what the program will be like before you get there - call the department where you plan to study - and ask for ten minutes of their time to discover information.

Send them an email or arrange a quick call to get a head start on learning before you get there, so once you do, your time will be more rewarding. You can do the same thing before you apply to a company while you’re still in college.

GETTING A GRADE C and self-discipline.

COURSE LOAD, social situations, and dorm living.

When there were the

TOUGH CRITIQUES

from professors. It was difficult having someone point out all the problems or bad choices in a project I had worked on so hard. Later I realized these criticisms were a benefit because you lose the personal attachment to an idea and can think of it more critically. This allows you to explain why it is the best choice for the design.

The amount of

HOMEWORK. Hard to prepare for the unknown!

The biggest adjustment for me was, being on my own for the first time in an unfamiliar city (Providence, Rhode Island). Having a roommate from another country, while

TRYING TO CONNECT AND RELATE TO NEW PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE. Having to actually study and do work.

High school was fairly easy for me so I didn’t have the study habit built in. In college, everything is much faster tempo and

YOU DON’T HAVE ANYONE HOLDING YOUR HAND. I COULD HAVE HONED MY SKILLS IN RELATED DESIGN PROGRAMS BEFORE I STEPPED FOOT INTO COLLEGE.

It would have given me a fully equipped tool belt from the start (ie. Adobe Creative Suite.)

Q&A THE ONE THING NO ONE PREPARED YOU FOR

IN YOUR CAREER? THAT DECISIONS IN THE CORPORATE WORLD ARE OFTEN NOT MADE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS...but rather to fuel big egos, avoid confrontation and make other lives as easy as possible. There is a natural rub between the creative minded who are constantly re-inventing and those who thrive doing methodical tasks, yet they need to coexist.

HOW EASILY SILOS HAPPEN IN AN ORGANIZATION.

People’s natural behavior is to dig in, have one focus which is on themselves and work toward their “trophy.” The missed opportunity in not harnessing the collective brain power of great thinkers is that the creativity remains one person’s opinion.

HOW FAST THE REAL WORLD IS

and how fast solutions need to be completed.

HOW TO GET REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.

Studios and agencies want to hire people with experience, but how can you have experience if you haven’t worked at a studio or agency yet, right? That’s why I’d encourage you to get your hands dirty now and while you’re in college. Don’t just do your class assignments, have some fun on the side. That doesn’t mean you need to be a full-time freelancer.

Make T-shirts for your buddies, build a website for your family reunion, design a logo for your kickball team or a poster for your favorite band.

Have fun and make things. Get yourself some fake clients and see what it’s like to make something for someone else. Trust me, you’ll learn a lot and you’ll hit the ground running once you graduate.

HOW IMPORTANT THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY TALK ABOUT AND SELL YOUR WORK is in all aspects of the creative industry.

THE BUSINESS ASPECTS OF BEING SELF-EMPLOYED. Most portrait photographers do not work for someone, so gaining that knowledge is very important in addition to learning how to take great photos. Also, take extra classes to learn as much about Photoshop as you can. Editing makes or breaks your photography.

Every field of work has times where you must be able to adapt to changes in your job – like new technology, changes in management, or the process needed to get things done. These do help everyone become more efficient in the work they do.

I KNOW NOW YOU MUST BE FLEXIBLE, WILLING TO WORK AS A TEAM AND WORK ON MANY THINGS AT ONE TIME. How the work world worked and

THE NEED TO ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY as a creative/ idea generator.

There are very talented people out there.

UPON GRADUATION, THERE WEREN’T MANY IF ANY “ STAFF JOBS” FOR BEING A FINE ARTIST

or illustrator. I headed straight to NYC and quickly had to figure out how to find work. I was not prepared for the countless rejections I received showing my portfolio. I tried to learn from all the comments and suggestions from the various clients I met, regroup my efforts, stay persistent and never gave up.

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS. POLITICAL SITUATIONS in a corporate environment, and some group related teamwork scenarios.

HANDLING CHALLENGING PERSONALITIES BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND ON THE CLIENT END and not feeling intimidated.

HOW COMPETITIVE THE CREATIVE FIELD IS.

THE NEED FOR DIGITAL EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.

Q&A WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

TO LOOK AT WITH A FOCUS ON YOUR DISCIPLINE, REGIONAL & NATIONAL?

(REGIONALLY) - BGSU, Kent State, Cincinnati, Columbus, CCAD, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, CIA & Cranbrook Academy of Art.

(NATIONALLY) – The D-School (Stanford, CA), Rhode Island School of Design (RISD,) Syracuse University, Academy of Art University (San FranCisco, CA) & Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, FL).

Since my formal training is not in the creative field,

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT RECOMMENDING INTERNSHIPS WITH COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS to help you experience the real-world challenges and benefits of creativity. Take as many internships as you can. Jump in with both feet, your whole brain and learn like there’s no tomorrow.

Cleveland Institute of Art, Columbus College of Art & Design, Parsons and the University of Cincinnati

There are a lot of great design schools out there.

If you can, I recommend moving somewhere that inspires you and has a strong program. Don’t just go to the university two hours away because they have a design school. Your college education won’t all come in the classroom and

IT’S A GREAT BIG WORLD OUT THERE GO SEE IT. IT’LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

For web design location may be the most important factor. You want to be where the jobs are plentiful. That is typically in larger cities or tech hubs.

A school should have a solid design program, be on the leading edge of digital practices and have some connection to the industry.

THIS COULD BE A TRADITIONAL COLLEGE OR ONE OF THE MANY CODE / DESIGN ACADEMIES BEING OPENED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. Cleveland Institute of Art, Kent State, University of Akron, Art Institute of Chicago, Savannah College of Art and Design, Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts and The New York Institute of Photography.

University of Cincinnati - DAAP, Kent State and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

JUST FIND A GOOD LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM. (REGIONALLY) Cleveland Institute of Art, University of Cincinnati, College of Creative Studies in Detroit and Ohio State

(NATIONALLY) – Art Center in California, SCAD - Savanna College of Art and Design, RISD - Rhode Island School of Design and Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh University of Cincinnati, Kent State, Ohio State, Pittsburgh Art Institute, and Ohio University of course!

MAKE SURE THERE IS A STRONG ALUMNI BASE TO HELP WHEN IT COMES TO INTERNSHIPS AND NETWORKING.

The Fashion Institute of Technology (New York), Parsons School of Design (New York) and The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (Los Angeles).

Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons School of Design, Pratt, School of Visual Arts, Columbus College of Art & Design.

I THINK I BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE IN THAT YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO ATTEND AN ‘ART’ SCHOOL TO BE IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY.

A lot of your development will happen outside of class. However, I see some great talent coming from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Savannah College of Art and Design, Chicago Institute of Design, School of Visual Arts {NYC}, Art Institute of Cincinnati, The University of Akron, and Ohio University

Q&A WHO ARE SOME OF THE BEST AND/OR

MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, COMPANIES OR WEBSITES TO FOLLOW IN YOUR DISCIPLINE?

Tim Brown (@tceb62) Fast Company Design (@FastCoDesign) Jessica Hische (@JessicaHische) Under Consideration (@ucllc) Stephen Hamilton (@culinaryphoto) Penny De Los Santos (@pennydelossantos) Kevin Kubota (@KevinKubota) Helene Dajardin (@HeleneDujardin) Phoot Camp (@PhootCamp) Pictory (@pictory) Kevin Meredith (@KevinMeredith) Seth Godin (@ThisIsSethsBlog) Richard Branson (@richardbranson)

SETH GODIN, Fast Company, Wired, Inc., Warby Parker, Houzz, José Andrés, Josh Tetrick and Hampton Creek.

Pentagram, Turner Duckworth, Interbrand, Landor, Fitch, UnderConsideration.com, and Wolf Olins.

Interested in the web? Here’s an easy start to find inspiring people.

GO CHECK OUT ANYONE WHO’S A SPEAKER FOR THE “AN EVENT APART” CONFERENCE. These people

are shaping the web. Read their posts, watch their videos, and follow them online. creativemornings.com thegreatdiscontent.com alistapart.com smashingmagazine.com webdesignerdepot.com notcot.org hugeinc.com thisisdk.com dribbble.com viget.com

JOIN THE RISING TIDE.

It is a local community of artists offered in various cities throughout the United States. They have discussion topics and it is a great place to network with other creative people. Also, check out classes on CreativeLive. They are free and have been my best learning tool hands down!

I LOVE DIANA VREELAND,

(PEOPLE:} Chip Kidd (who came to speak at our creative conference last year) @chipkidd Michael Bierut (also a UC grad and his brother Ron works at American Greetings) @michaelbierut @pentagram {MAGAZINES:} Print Magazine @printmag, How Design @HOWbrand and CMYK Magazine @cmykmagazine. {INSTAGRAM:} #junedigann365, #jennetliaw, #mikeyburton, #andreasmhansen and #s_harrington Simon Sinek, Brene Brown, Martine Rothblatt, GE, Duluth Trading Co, and Silicon Valley.

Core 77, iDSA.org, Jonny Ive, Apple, Karim Rashid, Yves Behar, Michael Graves, Viktor Schreckengost, Charles and Ray Eames, Fuse Project, IDEO, Dreyfus and Associates.

American Society of Interior Designers (asid.org), International Interior Design Association (iida.org), Houzz.com neocon.com and highpointmarket.org.

the former editor of Vogue who was creative, hardworking and loved to expose the world of creative people and their craft. Also my favorite magazines are Elle, Domino, and Italian Vogue.

{MID-CENTURY MODERN ART + DESIGN:} Matisse, Picasso, Charles and Ray Ames, Girard, Paul Rand, Rauschenberg, and Diebenkorn. {PRESENT DAY DESIGNERS + ILLUSTRATORS:} Marcus Oakley, Maria Carluccio, Luke Best, Nate Williams, Tadahiro Uesugi, Cody Hudson and Martin Haake.

{SITES:} http://grainedit.com http://blog.art21.org http://illustrationfriday.com/blog/ http://eye-likey.blogspot.com http://typetoy.com/#12 http://artforum.com http://printpattern.blogspot.com

There are a lot of people doing great work but to name a few: Stillmotion, Variable, Jodeb, Shane Hurlbut, John Urbano

Creativemarket.com, Behance.net, Dribbble.com, and Pinterest.com

Q&A WHAT BOOKS HAVE HELPED TO INSPIRE YOUR CAREER?

“THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE” by Stephen Covey, “OUTLIERS” by Malcolm Gladwell, “A WHOLE NEW MIND” by Daniel Pink, “NEVER EAT ALONE” & “WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK” by Keith Ferrazzi, “THE LAST LECTURE” by Randy Pausch, “REWORK”

by Jason Fried, “DO YOU MATTER?” by Robert Brunner and “THE LIGHTING NOTEBOOK” by Kevin Kubota I love Seth Godin’s entire collection.

It always feels like he’s speaking directly to me. Insightful and action provoking “THOMAS’ SNOWSUIT” by Roger Munsch, Simon Sinek’s “START WITH WHY” and “GREAT LEADERS EAT LAST” have guided my leadership style. “THE DESIGN OF BUSINESS” by Roger Martin, “THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND” by William Kamkwamba, “STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST” by Austin Kleon, “CREATIVE CONFIDENCE” by Tom Kelly & Dave Kelly and “A WHOLE NEW MIND” by Daniel H. Pink

“CREATIVITY, INC”

by Ed Catmull

I WORK ON THE WEB, I READ ON THE WEB.

Check out alistapart.com, nngroup.com, skillshare.com, dribbble.com, and subscribe to the responsivedesignweekly.com newsletter.

“A BOOK APART” Series, “BANKSY WALL AND PIECE,” “GRAPHIC DESIGN RADICALS” by Laurel Harper and THE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW 10 MUST READS SERIES.

I GO BACK TO THE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE 1900S: Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Richard Avedon, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Margaret Burke- White and look at anthologies of their work often.

I like to listen to audio books via the OVERDRIVE APP while I’m working or in my car. It links to your local library membership and you can check out anything they have there. The possibilities are endless.

Recently I listened to “CREATIVITY, INC.”

by Ed Catmull. Very inspiring to hear about other creative people and how their work evolved. A few other recent reads; “LEAN IN” by Sheryl Sandberg and “MINDSET” by Carol Dweck. These books have helped me think creatively and inspired me to look at my designs and career in a different way.

“A WHACK ON THE SIDE” of the Head,”

by Roger von Oech “CREATIVE VISUALIZATION,” by Shakti Gawain “WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE,”

by Richard N. Bolles,

“THE GIVING TREE”

by Shel Silverstein and ”THE LITTLE PRINCE” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Richard Howard.

“THE MEASURE OF MAN AND WOMAN”

by Dreyfuss.

Trade publications for me- like HOUSE

BEAUTIFUL, ELLE DECOR, ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST. Fashion magazines are great too as trends in color, textures and materials span all creative genres.

I just read a book called ”LUXURY ALCHEMY,” which summarizes big brand like Hermes, Bernaudaud and others and how they worked to create their luxury brands.

Mostly books on the masters: For magazines, ART FORUM, ELLE

DECORATION, SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS ANNUALS, COMMUNICATION ARTS, PRINT AND GRAPHIS. To be honest I haven’t read a ton of books relating to my career, mainly blogs/tutorials/forums. For general development, I am a fan of Malcom Gladwell’s “DAVID & GOLIATH” and “THE TIPPING POINT.” Both are great books about achieving success and overcoming odds.

“THE SEVEN DAY WEEKEND” by Ricardo Semler and “ATLAS SHRUGGED” by Ayn Rand.

Q&A IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHINE,

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY RELATING TO YOUR EDUCATION AND CAREER?

I would have pushed myself harder at certain points. There will be times when you find yourself comfortable in a class or a job. You’re getting good grades or your really good at what’s required of you somewhere.

BUT DON’T BE LAZY, DON’T STOP GROWING.

It’ll sneak up on you and you’ll find yourself just doing what’s required, which you’re already really good at.

That doesn’t help you in the long. STAY THIRSTY OUT THERE!

INVESTING MORE TIME IN DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS. For my For my education,

I WOULD GRANT MYSELF THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE MY CREATIVE SUPERPOWERS SERIOUSLY AT A YOUNGER AGE, learned the

technical basics of graphic design in high school and sought out more training in those mediums so closely tied to my current profession like environmental & web design, photography and illustration.

I would have explored my creativity at a much younger age and

NOT TREATED MY NATURAL TALENTS LIKE A HOBBY. I WOULDN’T HAVE LET MONEY GET IN THE WAY OF MY FIRST JOB.

career, working at a more traditional agency earlier.

I started out working at an agency focused on a specific industry, while it gave me fantastic experience, it also took me a while to diversify my portfolio of professional work.

I WOULD HAVE INTERNED WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN COLLEGE.

I love what I do and working in the creative field. I believe I’m where I was meant to be!

I do occasionally wonder what life for me would be like if I had stayed in the Fashion Design major. I still fumble around on a sewing machine. (Those sewing skills could have been really handy when pulling together Halloween costumes for the kids, too!).

IT’S A GREAT IDEA TO, AT THE VERY LEAST, STAY CONNECTED AND CURRENT WITH OTHER INTERESTS too – you never know

what opportunities might come along in life.

Paid more attention &

SET GOALS. I would have

LEARNED WHAT INDUSTRIAL DESIGN WAS

before I was in high school.

I would have further

DEVELOPED MY COMPUTER DRAFTING & RENDERING SKILLS to help gain an entry level position.

I WOULD HAVE GONE TO A CREATIVE COLLEGE LIKE FIDM OR FIT IN LA OR NYC, I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what my talents were and now that I know I wish I had more mentorship and training from an earlier age.

BE more open minded to trying new medias and points of view. Take more courses on various medias and techniques. MOST IMPORTANTLY,

GET MY MASTERS DEGREE. I decided at the time

I didn’t need it. After 30 years in the business it would have made things easier and given me many more opportunities. So, JUST DO IT and thank me later.

I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING. I DIDN’T TAKE THE MOST DIRECT PATH TO MY CURRENT CAREER, BUT I GAINED MAJOR LIFE EXPERIENCES ALONG THE WAY and those experiences have help shape me to who I am and have actually given me some extra knowledge to complement my career.

DIGITAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE and more rounded on all things design.

Q&A AND ONE LAST THING...

WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL. It’s my life motto.

HAVE CREATIVE CONFIDENCE. WEAR IT LOUD AND PROUD

and never give up trying to bring to life what you alone might see.

THIS IS AN AMAZING, SUPER HARD, UNDER APPRECIATED, VERY FUN JOB so get right with that and enjoy every moment.

These are a lot of really serious questions and you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed. That’s ok. I promise you, I PROMISE YOU, this type of career is a lotta fun and it’s super rewarding.

You get to make things, be creative, see your ideas, the things that you came up with, come into fruition. And

THE WORLD NEEDS PEOPLE LIKE US TO MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL. that is beautiful.

NEVER FEEL THAT YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO TAKE ON A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.

Learning comes with experience and confidence will take you a long way.

Nothing is better than waking up every day and going to a job I love.

DON’T LET PEOPLE DISCOURAGE YOU FROM ENTERING A CREATIVE LINE OF WORK!

BE OPEN TO LEARNING. IT DOESN’T END AFTER COLLEGE OR EVEN AFTER YOU’VE BEEN AT THE SAME JOB FOR 10 YEARS. I am always seeking out new information online, in books, tutorials, and from other professionals in my own field and in different career fields.

TRAVEL AND SEE THE WORLD, you learn so much when you are submerged in other cultures not only about them but also about yourself.

ALWAYS KEEP TRUE TO YOURSELF AND LET YOUR ART COME FROM WITHIN. Do work that makes you happy and never stop playing.

Believe in yourself and your potential-

THE UNIVERSE IS ALWAYS TESTING YOUR COMMITMENT. SUCCESS IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, your hobbies and

your interests are unique to you, remember that everyone is human, and do what makes you happy don’t sell out.

Be curious and investigate every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where it can lead.

YOU DON’T WANT TO BE LEFT WONDERING “WHAT IF”.

CREATE. BE BRAVE.

CRANBROOK ACADEMY OF ART COLLEGE OF CREATIVE STUDIES SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY

REGIONAL DIRECTORY OF

ART SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF AR CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE

LOURDES UNIVERSITY

JOHN CARROLL UN

BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

DEFIANCE COLLEGE

MALONE UNIVERS

UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER BLUFFTON UNIVERSITY OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY JAMES A. RHODES STATE COLLEGE

KENYON COLLEGE OHIO DOMINION COLLEGE OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

OTTERB

COLUM

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

MOUNT

CAPITAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ADVERTISING ART SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DENIS

KAPLAN COLLEGE

THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

ANTIOCH COLLEGE

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY WILBERTFORCE UNIVERSITY

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

ART ADVERTISING ACADEMY ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI

WILMINGTON COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH

THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNA THE ART INSTITUTE OF OHIO - CINCINNATI

SHAWNEE STATE UN

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY LAKE ERIE COLLEGE LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE HIRAM COLLEGE NOTRE DAME COLLEGE OF OHIO LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RT

REPRESENTED AT CHARTER PANEL RECOMMENDED

BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE OBERLIN COLLEGE URSULINE COLLEGE

NIVERSITY

SITY

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION UNIVERSITY OF AKRON, WAYNE COLLEGE

R

SON UNIVERSITY

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH

MUSKINGUM COLLEGE

BEIN UNIVERSITY

MBUS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN

T VERNON NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

MARIETTA COLLEGE

OHIO UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE

ATI

NIVERSITY SOURCE: http://www.a2zcolleges.com/arts/ohio.html

AKRON UNIVERSITY

Akron, OH l Orrville, OH www.uakron.edu www.uakron.edu/art

SCHOOLS REPRESENTED TODAY AT CHARTER

PROGRAMS: MAJORS OFFERED: • Art Education • Art History • Ceramics • Graphic Design • Jewelry and Metalsmithing • Painting and Drawing • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture MINORS OFFERED: • Interdisciplinary New Media • Illustration • Computer Imaging

University core classes. Upperlevel work, usually the junior year, is spent at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh studying in one of their areasof concentration • Game art & design • Graphic design • Interior design • Industrial design technology • Media arts and animation • Video production • Photography • Visual effects • Motion graphics

ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH BOWLING Pittsburgh, PA GREEN STATE www.artinstitutes.edu/ pittsburgh/ UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS: DESIGN: • Advertising • Graphic and Web Design • Industrial Design • Interior Design MEDIA ARTS: • Photography • Audio Production • Digital Film • Special Effects • Animation • Game Design • Game Programming FASHION: • Fashion Design • Fashion Marketing MEDIA ARTS: • Culinary Arts • Culinary Management

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY Ashland, OH www.ashland.edu

PROGRAMS: MAJORS OFFERED: • Education • Commercial Art • Fine Art • Computer Arts & • Graphic Programming Students spend the first two years at Ashland taking classes in the Art Foundations Sequence and

Bowling Green, OH www.bgsu.edu http://art.bgsu.edu/

PROGRAMS: SCHOOL OF ART: • Art Education • Digital Arts • 2-D Studies • 3-D Studies • Art History • Graphic Design VISUAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: • Photography • Videography • Interactive • Print TECHNOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE & APPLIED ENGINEERING • Architecture

CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART

Cleveland, OH www.uakron.edu www.uakron.edu/art

PROGRAMS: SCHOOL OF ART: • Animation • Biomedical Art • Ceramics • Drawing • Game Design

• Glass • Graphic Design • Illustration • Industrial Design • Interior Architecture • Jewelry + Metals • Painting • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture

COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN Columbus, OH www.ccad.edu

PROGRAMS: CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN AN ART MAJOR • Art Studio • Art Education • Art History • Graphic Design INTEGRATED MEDIA PROGRAM • Integrated Media

OHIO UNIVERSITY Columbus, OH www.ccad.edu

PROGRAMS:

MAJORS OFFERED: • Advertising & Graphic Design • Animation • Cinematic Arts • Fashion Design • Fine Arts • Illustration • Industrial Design • Interior Design • Photography

MAJORS OFFERED: • Art • Art History • Studio Art - Ceramics - Painting + Drawing - Photography + Integrated • Media - Printmaking Sculpture + Expanded Practice • Graphic Design • Interior Architecture

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

PROGRAMS:

Kent, OH www.kent.edu www.kent.edu/art www.kent.edu/vcd

PROGRAMS:

Columbus, OH www.osu.edu https://art.osu.edu https://design.osu.edu/ https://knowlton.osu.edu/ http://ehe.osu.edu

SCHOOL OF ART:: • Art Education • Art History • Crafts • Fine Art SCHOOL OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN:: • Visual Communication Design • Photo Illustration

PROGRAMS:

UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION

DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN • Industrial Design • Interior Design • Visual Communication Design KNOWLTON SCHOOL • Architecture DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SCIENCES • Fashion and Retail Studies

Alliance, OH www.mountunion.edu/ www.mountunion.edu/finearts-program http://www.mountunion. edu/integrated-media

SCHOOL OF ART: • Art & Technology • Ceramics • Glass • Painting & Drawing • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture

www.chartercreativity.org

A H U G E T H A N K S T O T H E A M A Z I N G PA R T N E R S W H O H A V E H E L P E D M A K E T H I S D AY P O S S I B L E .