I may not be perfect, but designing and illustrating are probably the closest I get. I've been a professional graphic designer for more than three decades, although my introduction to design came much earlier. I was fortunate to learn the craft before the digital revolution—in the days of technical pens, cut-and-paste, pencil sharpeners, amberlith, and X-Acto knives. Those fundamentals proved invaluable when design moved into the digital age, and I jumped in headfirst. Today I am just as comfortable with the hands-on craft of traditional graphic design as I am with the ever-evolving technology of modern creative design. I'm influenced by that earlier time period every day, drawing on values such as patience, precision, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and a deep appreciation for quality in my work. And yes, it still makes me smile.
For over two decades of my professional graphic design career, I applied my craft within the clothing and fashion industry at RP55 Group, an experience that shaped me creatively and personally. Along the way, I had the privilege of working across disciplines, collaborating with manufacturers and creative partners, and traveling internationally to extraordinary locales, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Montreal, and Medellín. Those experiences broadened far more than my understanding of design—they gave me an appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, ways of working, and approaches to creativity. Most importantly, I have been fortunate to work with a very diverse and talented group of people throughout my career. The work has been important to me, but the people, experiences, lessons, and relationships behind it have been just as important.
