From a young age, I found myself drawn to the world of graphic arts, a fascination that was kindled during a grade school field trip to a paper company. The sight of everyday items like notepads being created ignited in me a curiosity about the process behind it all. This curiosity was further fueled by my proximity to a high school, where I would often find myself rummaging through their discarded paper and binders. It was an unconventional hobby, but one that laid the groundwork for my future career.
As I entered high school, my interest in graphic design took on a more tangible form. I began frequenting a local copy shop, creating stickers and cassette j-cards for albums that I was producing on 4-track cassettes. This was my first taste of applying design principles in a practical setting, and I was hooked.
Upon graduating from college, I made the decision to relocate to Salt Lake City. Determined to break into the graphic design industry, I sent out letters to dozens of businesses in the hope of securing an interview. AlphaGraphics was the one that responded, marking the start of my professional journey in the graphic arts.
My early days in the industry were characterized by a strong DIY ethic. I purchased an end-of-life Macintosh 512K and started publishing GAJOOB in 1986, a zine that I designed, ran copies of, and bound all by myself. Many nights were spent either at the computer or in the shop, tirelessly working on producing GAJOOB Zine.
Looking back now, it’s clear to see how my love for zines and the DIY culture played a significant role in leading me to a career in graphic arts. From the grade school field trip to the high school dumpster raids, from the local copy shop to AlphaGraphics, every step of the way was marked by a deep-rooted passion for creating and designing.
Yeah, I’m a little weird; but I like it.
