Can you give us a quick bit of background about yourself?

I grew up in Seattle and still live here, specifically in Fremont. As a kid, I was always drawing a lot of pictures, skateboarding, skiing, and consuming a lot of cartoons, comics, and movies. My whole life, I’ve been interested in art, design, and clothing but for whatever reason never really considered it a viable path. I went to college and studied anthropology and immediately knew that I was not going to pursue that after I miraculously graduated. After a few years working, I started drawing heavily again and playing with letters and typography. During the initial covid lockdown, I had some time to reflect and I made a portfolio showcasing some of my creations and started doing creative work and illustrations for friends with small businesses, bands or creative ventures that needed branding. I decided I wanted to make a life where my job involved creativity and design. I applied to the wonderful graphic design program at Seattle Central Creative Academy where I am currently enrolled and am trying to soak up as much as possible.

How did you come to work with evo and ATS?

After I graduated college, I applied for a job at evo, a friend put in a good word, and I got the job. Naturally, I was spending a lot of time hanging out at the skatepark and reconnecting with Marshall so I started helping at the skatepark in the summertime and would go back to the snow retail world in the winter. Since then, I have worked in many departments within the store - from selling goggles to fitting ski boots and even a stint as the visual merchandiser.

What’s your current role at ATS?

The most part-time employee ever? I have been working on and off at ATS and evo for several years. I am grateful that they have let me take many sabbaticals - exploring, going to school, working other jobs, and going on adventures while always having a place to come back and work. More recently, I have been starting to make graphics for ATS boards and merchandise and hope to continue to do more of that in addition to helping out with the skate camps for a couple days a week.

Is it true that Marshall Reid taught you how to skate?

Yeah, that is true! I would go to skate camp when I was a kid and Marshall would call me Lance Armstrong because I had a bike helmet. I have vivid memories of slamming a lot, learning tricks, and eating hot pockets while watching skateboard videos behind the counter. I always thought Marshall and the Manik guys were the coolest guys ever and definitely looked up to them a lot. A lot of Seattle people my age can probably relate to this. It’s fulfilling to work here now and have such a full-circle experience.

Can you talk a bit about the ATS Bumbershoot graphic?

I always try to convey some sort of meaning and draw from personal experience that other people can hopefully relate to, in addition to simply enjoying the visuals. ATS provides a dry place to skate, a community for skateboarders, with open doors, so to me, it was a pretty literal graphic translation.

Can you tell us a little bit about your process?

Honestly, I’m still figuring it out and it depends on what I’m doing. Design work is much more digitally oriented. Regardless of the project or design though, I always try and start just drawing things in a sketchbook. Usually, I will end up scanning the sketch and playing around with it in a variety of programs. Without exception, I overthink everything I make. I am learning to confidently make design choices and work with them.

What are some of your most memorable projects?

Any time there is a tangible product at the end of the process. When something gets printed, it really comes to life. It’s an amazing feeling to see someone using something with a design I created on it. I enjoy when the process requires collaboration and multiple minds to come together to create the final product.

Can you tell us about any projects you’re working on currently?

Schoolwork has been occupying most of my time - we have so many different projects. I have been learning how to make various graphics, design websites and apps, make videos and more. I’m excited about school, but also happy to have a summer break and focus on doing more projects for myself and for friends with the new knowledge that I have gained. I am working on some clothes and accessories and things that I plan to make this summer for my personal work and will be doing some branding and design projects for friends and clients. I came up with Wear Pattern 13, which is loosely a brand that gives me and friends a platform to create designs with no boundaries, deadlines, or instructions.

Can you tell us about your artistic influences?

There are way too many to name them all but artistically I am really drawn to comics, sci-fi and psychedelic illustration, simple logo design, tattoos, vintage branding, and packaging, as well as architecture. I am still figuring out my own way to merge all these influences into my own original work. I really admire the work of Moebius, Jim Phillips, R. Crumb, and Jamie Hewlett just to throw a few out there. Nicole Mclaughlin is also one of my favorite people in the design space right now

How would you describe your artistic style?

It depends. I am still discovering it and probably always will be. I draw equally from the past and the future. It can be difficult, but I try not to overthink this and just create things and hope I figure it out.

Can you tell us about how your background has influenced your work?

There were always architects, designers, and musicians in my family and as a kid I subtly picked up on their outlook on the world. The people around me certainly encouraged me to draw and make things and more recently, encouraged me to go back to school. Growing up in Seattle and spending time in the mountains supplied me with lots of beautiful sights and a unique blend of city and nature which I enjoy implementing in my work.

What are your main sources of inspiration right now?

Going outside, my dog, music, family and friends, books, and the internet. I am also trying to be more thoughtful before I start making anything and school has started to help me think of designs as solutions to problems.

How would you say your work has evolved over time?

I have always had a love for cartoons and I still draw very cartoony figures all the time. As I travel and am exposed to more designers and artists I have gained an appreciation for simplicity, geometry, and smooth lines.

Where do you see your work headed in the future?

It is very open ended. I hope to design all sorts of things in the future - more illustrations, packages, footwear, clothing, and 3D things. My goal is to create fresh, original work that makes people happy. I’m excited about lots of aspects of art and design and want to do a bit of everything.

Can you tell us about how skateboarding has influenced your work?

Many skateboarders share a bond of being aesthetically driven. From a young age, this started translating to the rest of my life as I became obsessed with clothing, and gear. Later, I got very into functional things like skateboard parts or the dimensions of my skis. I think that these modes of fun, transportation, and protection from the elements that separate a person from their environment got me very into function as well as aesthetics.