I began my adventure with graphic design in the late ’80s…yeah the 1980’s…studying at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. The program there was distinctive in that, besides visual arts, it focused heavily on the production process. Students learned to design backwards from the finished piece, always keeping the technical parameters of bindery, printing, and pre-press in focus. While at Western, I was able to get even more hands-on graphics work by running printing presses at the student print shop and working the bindery department at a local commercial print shop.

After graduation in 1990, I worked at a small design company before landing a gig through the university and the State of Washington doing graphics support for a grant-funded social-worker training program. Moving to Seattle, I learned to work with the dreaded “committee-approval” process (thankfully with good people) and appreciated using my design skills to ultimately help people.

Grant-funding cuts ultimately ended the state job, and I joined a small print shop in South Seattle. In that quick turn-around environment, I learned how to “bust-out” quality design on a tight schedule, but ultimately missed helping people and the planet.

In 1995, I traveled to Colorado to study renewable energy at Solar Energy International. There I found a technical passion and a moral mission. An impressed instructor recommended me directly to Home Power magazine in Ashland, Oregon. “The Hands-On Journal of Home-Made Power,” was a perfect fit: visionary pioneers working to affect positive change in the world through the use of renewable energy technologies. As art director for Home Power, I helped drive that movement for 23 years, advancing technically myself as the solar industry matured into the mainstream, and honing my design skills on issue after issue of rich, leading-edge content.

Now, I’m ready to continue doing good work, with good people, for good causes. I’m excited to use my broad technical knowledge to support the greater renewable-energy and green-building industries. But I’m also excited to work with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals to promote their works in the world. I’m happy to chat about potential projects, any time. Give me a call.