First, a confession . . . I am a very private behind-closed-doors "in my own mind" artist. Past criticisms (that still hurt today) kept me from drawing. I enjoyed mechanical drafting back in my Junior High days. In fact, I remember that I usually made the best grades in the class, and was one only two students in the class who got to make mechanical drawings with a real ink fountain pen (oh, did anyone else just shudder with pleasure when you read that . . . I did)! Give me a sharp pencil, drawing or graph paper, and a ruler, t-square or curved angle template, and I am a happy man.
I never pursued drawing because everyone else, except for my teacher, though my drawings were crap. Back when I was younger, I actually through a lot about becoming an architect, but I was, admittedly, very weak in math. I was also in the habit in those days of letting myself be afraid of what other people thought about me and my ideas. I guess I was abnormally self-conscious. A teenager thing. I mean, I was young, and I liked eating. So when my dad asked why I wanted a ream of graph paper for my birthday, I told him . . . and was told that I would never become an architect. He said the same thing about my playing guitar.
So, for years, I have privately enjoyed drawing little plans for wood projects, remodeling ideas, and other such stuff that very few have ever seen. I have a small collection of rulers and such that I keep in a special place in my desk. And, on occasion, I have tried to draw a logo or two.
I like logo's. Some of them, like the logo's on railroad cars, the logo for Bell Telephone, seed company and farm implement logo's, the Boy Scouts of America logo, the numbered logo's that television stations use, Buck and Case pocket knife logo's. I mean, is this stuff awesome or what, right?
Well, I think so.
In my own personal context . . . the cross and flame logo for the United Methodist Church . . . has such meaning for me. I gave my professional life to the UMC . . . and that logo has been the primary symbol representing every church I've served in 30+ years.
Back to the book I want to encourage you to read, and which resides on my special bookshelf. Draplin Design Co. Pretty Much Everything by Aaron James Draplin.
Aaron is a graphic designer who grew up in Michigan and now resides and works in Portland, Oregon. He is the creator of many logo's for various brands and organizations. He is the inventor of Field Notes (fieldnotesbrand.com) which is the small pocket memo book that I am so fond of.
The book is his story from childhood to where he is today. He is an individualist and one-of-a-kind if there ever was one. He does't have many filters language wise, but he writes and talks from his heart and his passion for the work that has blessed and enriched his life, family, clients and others.
Warning! Some of you will not like Aaron. He will be way too over-the-top for some. He has a strong present on Twitter and on YouTube, where you will find mostly videos about his various teaching and speaking tours. He writes like he talks. He is brutally honest, from his own perspective, and yet very sincere. You will clearly understand where he stands and where he is coming from. You will also realize quickly that he cares for family, friends, working hard, and making a difference in the lives of people.
The US price for the book was $40 a few years ago. I am considering buying a second copy.
Confession #2 . . . I probably live a little "vicariously" through Aaron's life. I am happy and secure in who I am, and in my talents and gifts. But every so often, one wonders about what could have been. Probably a waste of time, I know, but still doing so is a part of my nature. So, why not embrace it?Doing so has brought joy in my life learning how others pursued their dreams despite what others thought or said.
If you've ever wondered what doing-it-your-own-way could look like (and aren't we thankful for individual creative ability and personalities) then give Aaron's book a read.
BTW, Field Notes are worthy of your consideration!
Rick ><>
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