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March 01, 2010
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Kimberly Diedrich, AIGA Member Since 2006 Graphic Designer, Image Resource Group and Freelance 1. Where are you from? Originally from Upstate New York (Adirondacks). My family moved to the Charlotte area when I was in grade school and I've lived here ever since. 2. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to be a Dog Psychologist/Behaviorist. I've always had a love for animals, but never paid much attention to training or behavior until I got my dog a year and a half ago. He was a handful to say the least, but he's come a long way! It's surprising how receptive they are once you communicate to them in a way they understand. 3. What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? When I first went to college, I was studying Biochemistry @ Clemson University. I wanted to go into Pediatrics from the time I knew what a career was. That plan fell through when I realized…
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February 01, 2010
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Daniel Allegrucci, AIGA Member Since 2009 Freelance Web Designer and Visual Artist Where are you from? I was born in Fayetteville and raised in NY state. I also lived in a small town in Italy for a while. I've been in Charlotte more or less since 1990. Where do you get your inspiration from? Since I design for the screen, I like to look for ideas in the physical world: product design, vintage posters, nature, art history. I especially like food packaging from other countries. What’s one goal (professional or personal) you have for the future? I'd like to continue to find ways to bring my fine art and web design practices together. For example, I'm working on a project that takes imagery created as a woodcut print and brings it to life using Flash/Actionscript 3. I'm a big fan of mixing old and new technologies. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? "Find something you like and get really good at it" and "Reliability and professionalism are at least…
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January 01, 2010
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Mikale Kwiatkowski, AIGA Member Since 2006 Senior Designer, Lowe's Corporation: Oct 09 to Present Regional Designer/Art Director, Whole Foods Market: July 04 to Oct 09 1. What attracted you to the design profession? For most of my life, I have been interested in spatial and 2 dimensional aesthetics. I started drawing in 5th grade and studied art and design throughout high school and college. I crave variety and thrive in the anxiety of having to figure out new things. I love the variety of experiences the graphic design field offers. 2. What’s your proudest accomplishment? I currently work as a senior designer for Lowe's corporation. My proudest accomplishment so far is the opportunity I recently had to affect a sustainable paper choice for a direct mail piece being printed in a quantity of hundreds of thousands. 3. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Architecture. 4. If there is karaoke at the next office party, what song will you be singing? I would be…
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December 01, 2009
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Kenn Compton, Member Since 1990 Chair: advertising + graphic design, CPCC 1. What’s your favorite font? Baskerville 2. Where do you get your inspiration from? Looking around, reading outside my comfort zone, keeping a sketchbook. 3. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I have a list of more than 100 alternative career paths that I would like to eventually explore. My current favorite is to be a tugboat captain. However, research indicates that there is not much demand for moving barges along the Catawba River these days, so the opportunities are scarce. Still, anything is possible. 4. What would people be surprised to know about you? Back in the 90s, my lovely wife and I wrote and created picture books, six of which were published by Holiday House of New York, NY. All of them were modestly successful, taking us to elementary schools and libraries across this great land of ours. Sadly, due to changes in the industry, our books eventually went out of print…
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November 01, 2009
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Shawn Kelley, AIGA member since 2009 Creative Director, HMH 1. What attracted you to the design profession? I kind of stumbled into design. Although I grew up drawing and painting, I never considered using art in a profession. After struggling as a computer science major in college, I decided to take an art class. It made me realize where my passion was, so I changed my major to visual arts during my senior year. That didn't sit too well with my father. He was retired Army – master paratrooper for 20 years, Vietnam vet and Green Beret. And he didn't see what anyone could possibly do with an art degree. I had to prove myself, but he finally got it – although he still introduces me as, “my son, the graphic artist.” 2. Where do you get your inspiration? From everything around me – the design community, travel, music and movies, even my kids. Two teenagers and a four year old can give you quite a unique perspective. 3. What profession other than your own would…
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October 01, 2009
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Amy Quesinberry, AIGA member since 2005 Junior Graphic Designer, Illustrator, RSPA 1. Where do you get your inspiration from? I get inspiration from observing and listening to the things around me. I gain it from music and studying the album art, exploring new places, looking through the shelves of Barnes & Noble, being outside and enjoying God's creation, running, and amateur photography -- just to name a few. 2. How and why did you get involved with AIGA? Approximately how long have you been involved with the organization? Originally, I joined in 2005 when I was a student at Virginia Tech, but the closest chapter was several hours away in Richmond, VA so there wasn't really a good way to get involved. But I renewed my membership last fall as a student at The Art Institute of Charlotte hoping to be able to learn from and get to know other local designers. I have been able to connect with new people with similar interests as well as learn about tools and resources that they just don't…
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September 01, 2009
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Josh McGlinn, AIGA member since 2009 Creative Director, MCG Studio 1. What is your favorite movie and why? There are several movies that I have as favorites and all of them for different reasons. One of them is "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Tim Burton's creative side really gets to shine in the look and feel of the characters. It's a fantastic story and it still holds up today. I'm also a big Danny Elfman fan and when Halloween roles around you can always catch me playing this soundtrack over and over. 2. If you could be any super hero, who would you be and why? Without a doubt it would have to be Superman. I grew up watching the Justice League and all of the Superman movies with Christopher Reeve. I think my fascination with Superman was the fact that despite his obvious advantage with super powers, he still treated people equally and believed in humanity. Plus he could fly. Seriously, how cool would that be? 3. What would peope be surprised to know about you? Almost all…
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August 01, 2009
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Marilyn Trockel, AIGA member since 2007 New Business Development, Account Management at Loftin & Company Where are you from? I was born and have spent the majority of my life in New Jersey. We relocated to Cornelius, North Carolina 3 years ago. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt: Growing up with a large family and an Italian mother - food was always front and center. Cooking provides me with an outlet for creativity and expression. It is not unusual for me to spend a day in the kitchen with several recipes going at the same time - cookbooks and magazines everywhere. My daughters friends love to eat at our house, it is always surprising to me to find families no longer cook dinner and eat together. Surely in my next life I will be a chef. What is your favorite word: Yes. Yes. Yes. What would people be surprised to know about you? 2 things - I started my working career as a Certified Laboratory Technician, working in Hospitals in special chemistry lab…
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July 01, 2009
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Ron Edelen, AIGA Member Since 2008 Creative Director and Partner at Myjive Inc. What attracted you to design? I originally went to school with a Mickey-Mouse perception of what graphic design was. I was ignorant. It wasn't until six years after my first typography class that I fully understood the depth of design as a profession. It was many years later before I was confident in myself as a design professional. Design embodies so much of life – which is why it is always changing – and is one of the few disciplines that can be simultaneously artful and utilitarian. It took a long time for me to mature within the field. I fell in love with design for that reason. Profession other than design? A Chef. Let me preface this with the fact that I am a very uneducated cook. I've always wanted to go to culinary school. I love the culture and diversity that food brings and the social aspects of it once the meal is prepared. Like design, the culinary arts are both practical and aesthetic.…
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June 10, 2009
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Bragg Swain, AIGA Member Since 2005 Creative Services Manager Pelton & Crane Where do I get my inspiration? When working on concepts I enjoy taking random photos and discovering new perspectives for the subject at hand, looking at architectural magazines, sinking into well worn chairs at Barnes and Noble and perusing books, listening to RUSH, high energy dance music or show tunes ( I am a Pandora nightmare), going to design conferences & lectures, anything on TED.com. Love me some coolhunting.com, searching for random inspiration through google images, seeing musicals, watching films and playing with my kids! Favorite book I have giant stack of design books (Designing Brand Identity, The Art of Innovation and Killer color book titled Color:messagesandmeaning by Leatrice Eiseman…the Queen of amazing pantone color combos…must have for any designer) but really enjoy simple motivational books like Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, The Last Lecture (puts everything into…
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April 03, 2009
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Krista Duran Betz, member since 2006 Graphic Designer, Freelance http://www.kristaduran.com What’s one professional goal you have for the future? My short-term goal is to find a job with a local design studio. I’m really looking forward to being in a creative environment with other designers that I can learn from. I think every designer wants to open their own studio, that’s my long-term goal. What’s your proudest accomplishment? Graduating college was probably my proudest accomplishment thus far. I think most art students would agree that college is hard work, full of late nights, and empty pockets but it was well worth the effort. Even though I complained about having to take extra studio classes (Figure Drawing? Seriously?), I really miss being exposed to different types of art that don’t involve the use of a computer. What is the best purchase you’ve ever made? I bought my first laptop in late October of last year; it’s a used Toshiba Portegé…
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March 02, 2009
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Giulio Turturro, member since 1999 Art Direction & Design www.giulioturturro.com What is my proudest accomplishment? Personally, it would be my two daughters, Maya and Luisa. They bring a tremendous amount of joy and happiness. Professionally, I would have to say it would be my CD box sets designs (they can be seen at: www.giulioturturro.com). I love working 3 dimensionally (maybe because of my interest in architecture). Bringing together all the components of the set, in a cohesive way brings me great satisfaction. Although they have won many awards for me, including Grammy nominations for “Best Packaging”, I am most proud of the way they solved the problem and give the purchaser an extra level of enjoyment. It’s great to hear someone say that they bought the set because of the packaging. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. What is my favorite font? Tough question. I would have to say Helvetica is, not only because it’s so well designed, but also…
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February 09, 2009
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Rebecca Knowe, member since 2005 Graphic Designer, Freelance www.aigadesignjobs.org/rebeccaknowe What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? As a very curious person, I have an interest in just about every subject under the sun. Design for me was a means to be involved in and learn more about the fields I loved—psychology, history, art, spirituality, writing … the list goes on and on. I love that design enables me to learn the stories of new companies, new disciplines, new ideas—and retell them in visual form. My first mentor in design was Esther Knaupp, the advisor during my high school tenure on the yearbook staff. She taught me the basics of design, typography, photography, and writing, and her passions for those things were infectious. I should also mention Monte Toon and Jim Mountjoy, two mentors who have believed in me and encouraged my work as a design professional.…
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January 23, 2009
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John S Howard, member since 2008 Graphic Designer, Freelancer JohnSHoward.com Where are you from? I was born in the brilliant land of England; grew up in Holland and came over to America in my 20s to find the dream. What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? As a kid I knew I wanted to be an artist and create. But it was when I was around 11 that my father told me that I would be a designer. That's probably because he was a Creative Director at an agency. He taught me all about design and the meaning of a good concept. I remember when I was a kid I'd walk into his agency and I just knew that I was in a different place. Feeling the energy, seeing the cool art and watching the men and women who just had a different air about them. I quickly realized that he was right and from then on it was my path. Where do you get your inspiration from? What fuels my fire? I'd usually say something cliche,…
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December 17, 2008
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Rob Hawse, member since 2002 President, Hawse Design Where are you from? I grew up in Wilmington, NC and was educated at NC State and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. What attracted to you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? From a young age, I have always had a strong interest in design – architecture and industrial design peeked my interest. I come from a family of artists so I was constantly exposed to different mediums. Not only was I drawn to the beauty of design, I was fascinated by how things were made and the theories behind what attracted people to them. I was given an amazing opportunity to continue my passion in NYC and it sealed the deal for me. The School of Visual Arts combined with the energy of New York pushed me to create and reach limits I had never imagined. The school provided access to some incredibly talented teachers/ designers – Richard Wilde, Tony Pallidino,…
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November 15, 2008
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Becca Rosal, member since 2006 Graphic Designer | ABZ Design What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? When I was little my Grandma taught me to paint, draw and craft. She is really my reason for falling in love with the art world. When I got into high school I researched careers in art that I could make a living at and stumbled upon graphic design. I went to Meredith College knowing exactly what I wanted and came out with a real knowledge and passion for visual communication. One of my biggest mentors was a teacher I had at Meredith that really challenged me in how far I took my design and how well I executed it. She is still in my head to this day when I design. What’s your proudest accomplishment? A freelance project that I've been a part of for almost four years called Myself: Together Again. The project is about one woman's process as she went through breast reconstruction after…
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November 01, 2008
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Jamey Boiter, member since 1984 Principal | Senior Brand Director, BOLT This article appeared on The Charlotte Observer's online opinion section of their web site recently. Why Brand Obama Will Win By Jamey Boiter AIGA Charlotte interviewed Jamey to be the November Membership Spotlight. Here's what he had to say: What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? I planned to be an architect. So I took an introductory graphic design class, and fell in love with the idea of visually communicating a point of view. My instructor/mentor Tom McPeak let me work for him as a studio assistant. He had several older brand standards, story boards from his days of art directing for a CBS affiliate in Kansas City and other great evidence of what being a graphic designer entailed. After declaring my intentions to be a graphic designer, Tom talked me into transferring to design…
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October 15, 2008
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Lydia Ko, member since 2006 Freelancer / LEKO What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you? When I entered into my freshmen year of college, I dreamt of becoming an architect. However, things took a turn by the end of freshmen year of college, but to my benefit of course. I was drawn to a creative development and was persistent on searching for a lifestyle that would enrich me mentally. I realized that I could be creatively resourceful in design as well as photography. I have to say that as of this moment, I am enjoying the options design has opened up for me, and it is quite exciting. What's your favorite typeface? Helvetica Neue and Bauhaus Where do you get your inspiration? One of my main inspirations comes from music and how I react when listening while designing. However, my inspirations come from other components also. I find that restricting myself to one particular thing is confining.…
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October 01, 2008
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Karen Sessions, member since 1999 President, Perry Sessions Design, Inc. Where are you from? Wingate, NC How and why did you get involved with AIGA? Approximately how long have you been involved with the organization? In March of 1999, I called the AIGA headquarters to say that I believed Charlotte needed a chapter. AIGA national sent me the Chapter petition, which asked that we get 20 individuals who had practiced or taught in graphic design or an allied field for at least three years to mutually agree to undertake the responsibilities to form a chapter. I called everyone I knew in the industry and asked them to meet with me. There was a great response to start this chapter. We met at Cadmus one night, signed the petition and started moving forward. I always felt strongly that Charlotte should have an AIGA chapter. I had worked for a large bank here for almost 10 years and saw the importance of connecting business leaders with design. I also was very familiar with the American Institute…
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The day after I moved here in the summer of 2006 I attended my first AIGA Charlotte event, a morning BuzZ about the AIGA standards of practice. I had no idea what to expect but I knew that AIGA was my ticket to professional connections & hopefully friendships. Gage was the moderator that day & made me feel very welcomed. Eventually I got to know Gage a little more by seeing him at events and getting involved with his Programming Committee. Soon after, we became friends and then, in 2007, coworkers. Needless to say, I have spent some serious time with him between AIGA events, participating on the AIGA Charlotte Board, work and hanging out on the weekends. And although I have only known Gage for a little under 2 years, I have become very fond of him in that time. I am sure those of you who know him agree. I think he brings a certain level of fun and enthusiasm to everything, in addition to being a very humble and outstanding designer. When he told me that he & his, then…
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