As far back as first grade, I knew I wanted to be an artist. However, in my little hometown, the only options my teachers presented to me regarding an artistic career were either: fine artist, or vendor at a craft fair. Neither of which felt like the right fit. While I enjoyed drawing and painting, I couldn’t envision myself as a fine artist. Working in the company of Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Picasso, Durer, Sargent and even my father (who was also a painter) was a bit intimidating to a grade school kid. I knew there had to be another option.

In college, my path became clearer as I studied graphic design, and developed an interest in typography. In many ways being a graphic designer is like being a movie director (and who doesn’t want to direct?) — gathering different, and often times eclectic, elements and organizing them to form a cohesive whole is an intriguing creative challenge. I’ve grown to view graphic design as a combination of storytelling and problem-solving.

Sometimes the story is obvious, as it is literally a story (i.e. a book or magazine article). Sometimes the story needs to be created, as in the case of many logo design projects. The first challenge is to establish the story. Then the problem solving comes into play as one explores the elements needed to tell that story. Should the visual be an illustration? a photograph? or strictly a type treatment? Is black & white, or color, the better palette to establish the mood? Which typeface best complements the story; an elegant didone, or a modern geometric sans? The answers all lie in the project itself: find the best way to tell the story.

After working for years as an Art Director for nationally published sports magazines (Tennis and USTA Magazine), I thought that’s it: “Magazine Designer, that’s my path, that’s who I am!” I loved the collaborative spirit of working with writers, illustrators, photographers, and editors all to tell a story. It felt like the perfect fit.

Then I worked on my first book, and my perspective changed. It was an exciting project, during which my research and organizational skills became especially useful. The client requested very specific images for this photo-driven book. I had to become a photo detective of sorts, tracking down pictures spanning more than four decades. All of the film noir movies I watched late at night must have instilled some sleuthing abilities in me because, if the photo existed, I was determined to track it down. So I broadened my scope and, as tempting as the title “Raider of the Lost Photo Archive” was, I opted to describe myself more broadly as “Publication Designer.”

Encouraged by the new challenges that book brought, I sought more independent projects, which eventually led me to embark on a wider path as I began pursuing my own clients and enterprises full time. Recent projects have included: advertisements, brochures, invitations, sell sheets, banners, posters, logos, postcards, books, magazines and illustrations. I was reinvigorated by the variety of projects and all the new elements I could now direct: different paper stocks, ink choices, different sizes, and even different printing techniques — I love letterpress!

As I leaned toward declaring myself a “Print Designer,” I realized my work extends beyond the printed page, since digital applications are now also in my repertoire. And so the saying “It’s the journey, not the destination” which comes to mind as I sum up my artistic life; always looking forward to what lies ahead, no matter what label that path may have.

That is my tale. Now, how can I help you tell your story?