I just moved to New York. The editor of CMYK Magazine asked if I wanted to share my job-hunting experiences, critical advice and desperate moments in a public forum. Here it is:

http://www.cmykmag.com/site.cfm?page_id=126&sect_id=11&BloggerID=53

Some Arizona State University graphic design students contacted me for an interview. Thought the answers might be of interest / help to emerging designers, dream-job seekers, and other miscellaneous lost souls. Enjoy:

If you couldn’t design, what would you be doing?

Design pervades everything. I design food when I cook. I design adventures when I travel. I design a room when I move into a new apartment. But if I couldn’t do graphic design, I would probably become an techno-entrepreneur. Which means I would be designing products and companies. more »

These questions were part of an interview for a student studying graphic design at UW-Whitewater. This offers a quick glimpse into my design philosophy and daily life back at the ranch:

What was your inspiration to become a graphic designer?

I never had much inspiration, it was more of a compulsion. Creativity was the only pursuit I was ever truly gifted / exceptional at. When I was younger I tried just about every creative medium you could think of. I never realized it at the time, but I was training for my future profession. By the time I was a junior in highschool I was already pretty decent at web design, photoshop, 3D software, etc. I was a dork. A very large dork, indeed. more »

Question from a recently-graduated graphic designer:

“One of my biggest fears about producing a professional-looking self-promo is the cost. I read that you personalized each book to suit a particular job and even changed the salutation on the cover letter that is integrated to the design. This makes me wonder if you self-produced everything at home using a personal printer, or get it done at a printing shop like Kinkos, or maybe you did have an unlimited budget for the project. I will be very grateful if you can give me some input regarding this matter.”

Great question. The simple answer is: Yes, be afraid. Run away. Making a professional self-promo can be an extremely time and money consuming project. Here are my thoughts and experiences: more »

The Cincinnati mentoring program is starting up. They have similar programs in every major US city. You should join one. If you’re starting out, searching for a dream job, or trying to become any sort of leader, it’s probably the most important move you can make. more »

You just graduated from design school. You’re confused, dirt poor, and a little queazy. You need a quality job right now. You pick up a book on “the business of graphic arts” which is full of resume tips and other useless rubbish… and then you what?

What are the top 10, simple, effective, no-bullshit, super-moves that any design student should make immediately after graduation? Any thoughts? more »

I just finished my second read of: Radical Honesty: How To Transform Your Life By Telling The Truth by Brad Blanton.

First and foremost… go buy this book immediately. It transcends all people, jobs, and desires. If you are flexible in your thinking and searching for some ”higher truth“ in life, and in your career, then run to the bookstore. You’ll be glad you did. more »