Coudal.com is a daily stop. I'm a bit biased, though.

But when I think about it, I'm as easily led as the next guy. One link, and before I know it, I'm spiraling off down some wormhole of celebrity trash or bullshit memes. I'm getting better and better at not taking the bait. I don't use Facebook that much. Too much predictable noise on there.

I just go exploring. More fun that seeing the stuff everyone is seeing. That might be on eBay or some old timer's antique site. You what I love about the internet? Some old guy who has a camera and time on his hands to upload it. No polish. No sass. Just cool shit for miles, that they are sharing with the other buddies in their circle. And there's really no link for that. You just have to go and start digging.

That's your collection?

It's my fault I tipped you off to an incredible world of dead logo books?

Guilty as charged.

It all depends. I try to choose jobs where I'm comfortable with the people behind it. If they are buttoned-up, then so am I. If they are loose, then we're loose. You size them up, and then you act accordingly. I provide a service, and if I do my job right, they are comfortable with the interaction and we make them something they love.

And you know what? The tighter the client is wound, the more apeshit they go. There's some math for you. I'll start off a project, and I'll be a perfect, little altar boy, and in no time, they are off the rails. Stay loose, and keep it fun. Done.

Logos are like puzzles, and I enjoy the exploration. Sketching, thinking, making notes, researching...all of it is pretty interesting. That's the fun part. Things get a little scary after the client sees it, and doesn't react. Or, reacts in a way that is counterproductive? And however the reaction, it's my job to take it from there, and provide them with good solutions.

And then about tapping out? I don't really tap out. If I took the job, then I'm on the clock for them, and work hard to get it done. But of course, there's some big decisions to make before taking the job, you know? "Am I the right fit?" If things look good, then I take it on, and push until they love it. As simple as that.

1. Would you go on a road trip with them? Or share a meal? I mean, do you get a good feel? Are they recommended by friends?

If I squirm on the first call, then I'm betting I'd squirm on the project. That's when I bow out professionally, and offer up other leads for them to go after.

1. You roll with the punches. And remember, you fight hard to show them good solutions. And if they tweak it into oblivion, then let them. You can only fight them so hard. If they want to make a lemon, then so be it. There's no rule that you have to show it in your portfolio. But remember, if you show them good stuff, that'll go a long way in kicking off the good relationship. Wow them, and then make them something incredible, that they won't need to change.

Middle age! This one is new to me. Am I old? Am I out of it? Do I matter? Am I relevant? Was I ever relevant? Why does my hair hurt?

We're all getting older. And man, I don't really even think about it in terms of my place in the design scene. Before I had any eyeballs on me, I attacked this stuff and learned to love the process, battle and rewards. And it's just that simple. I'll keep challenging myself, and trying to make an honest buck along the way.

And there's always this sinking feeling that I'm going to wake up and the calls will stop coming. And then what? Well, I've tried to be proactive to build a little mess for myself that is self-sustaining. Be it merch, Field Notes or the guts to dream up a new poster series. (See our "Thick Lines" posters!)

I've saved my loot, and done my best to be smart with scary stuff like finances and investing. But then again, hell, I hope I make it to 42! Baby steps.

Top brass representatives from Skillshare is on my case for the next one. Already scheming! Stay tuned!

Expo '74? That would be a "12" on that scale of 1-10. Spokane!

Portland top three?

1. Doesn't feel like a big city. But yet, there's 15 record stores.
2. Gray and rainy? Bring it on. Just fine with me.
3. You can have a little house and a little life, and that's just fine. No keeping up with the Jones. Live yer life, and enjoy it.

Make cool stuff.

(And the internet will take over from there.)

Be open to the hybrids. Remember, at the end of the day, that logo is theirs. And if they want to see something mixed together, then mix it together. And do it in a way where you can articulate what they liked about each element, and how it became new. It's your job to take that curveball, and keep the game moving along. I kind of like it. If I can get them on board that way? Done. It's all about making them love it, and having a 6th sense of what's right for them. A balancing act. In the end, its not for you. Remember this along the way, and this will help in creating something for them.

And if they want purple, then explore purple! Make it work for them! Ha...

1. Cosmic dust, whirling together for 13.7 billion years. And, pizza.

2. I'd come back to hang with you guys any time! Hell yeah, Greg. Shit's revving up for the upcoming tour, and for the most part, each gig has an accompanying workshop.

http://draplin.com/gigs

Already there! At least, in my mind.

Jim Coudal. That was where Field Notes took off. I owe a big chunk of my life to Jim Coudal, Bryan Bedell, Michele Seiler, Steve Delahoyde and the Field Notes Midwest crew. I made the first couple Field Notes, and they exploded the thing into a real brand. Thank you to Jim, forever.

So to answer this, I need to deflect it to Field Notes Midwest. As, they were the ones to take it from initial designs to the the real thing. Hell, I still don't know how they did it. Small steps, smart moves and, a beautiful uncompromising quality to their decision-making. I've learned so much from the Coudal team.

Go to Coudal.com and look anything with Jim speaking. And take notes!

http://vimeo.com/26133811

"Purchase what you can afford."

I don't have a cent of debt. We're forced to leverage everything, and it just eats away at us. I remember having to go without, or buy the least-expensive computer, or take out a monsters loan, or what have you. And it taught me to be frugal, thankful and get the most for my money.

And when I got to splurge? Well, it's because I worked my ass off up to that point, and then dove in. Nothing off-the-cuff, or without a ton of thought behind it. Just like mom and dad did.

And now, if there's a record I want, I buy the thing. Done. I worked for that. But something big? I research it and plan for the purchase, making sure everything is covered.

Should designers have a style? Sure.

Right up until that first client asks for something different. Then the game changes and you have to design to their needs. What's appropriate for their design problem? That's the target you aim for.

Futura Bold, dipped in PMS Orange 021? Let's rumble! But that's just for my junk. If that's what is right for the client, then great.

It's our job to find the right mix for their needs. Period.

Side passion? To answer that, go look on Draplin.com. That's really it. Making a new hat or poster or logo or pulling off another speaking fiasco...that's all the stuff in the mixing bowl that keeps me going. Even the rough parts all add up to one kick-ass little way of pulling off a life in design.

Junking is always the most fun. The World's Longest Yard Sale along highway 127, Brimfield in Massachussetts or the Antique Expo in Portland. Always fun.

One place I'd like to travel to? Nothing really comes to mind. My speaking tour keeps my wanderlust at bay! But if I had to pick a dot on the map? I've always been interested in Greece. Would love to see those old ruins. Oh shit, Japan, too. I want to go just for the stationery! I've heard Tokyo is a blast.

Shout out to Valencia, I grew up in Kissimmee :)

It's gonna take elbow grease, Lucas. Plain and simple.

Make this stuff fun, and it won't feel like work. And get after it.

Buddies use to call me "Dark Cloud" because of how much I worked. They'd open the door on my room and say, "How's the forecast?" And I'd yell back, "Too much light!" And they'd slam the door I'd get back to it. I just loved the stuff, and loved learning, and loved making something new each night.

This stuff was a hobby before it was a job. Still is!

BONUS: More videos? I just did one Monday, so watch for that. Can't say for who, but it'll be out soon enough. Stay tuned!

The only links on Facebook I read all the way through are Space-related stuff!

Anything/everything from Neil Degrasse-Tyson!

99% of the time, I have no idea what a particle is, or what the fuck "anti-matter" is, but, I find their theoretical exploration daring, and beautifully lofty. The fact is, we have NO IDEA WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON, and these guys are like pioneers, using science to chip away at that.

I find our staggering insignificance in the cosmic realm so beautiful. And, man, sandwiches sure are good, down here on earth!

Not just yet. And like anything type-related, I'd just make sure it was balanced, could breathe and worked well with characters around it. Can you show me how you solved it? Or?

My dad was a Master Bullshitter. He was a industrial tooling salesman and was loved by the guys in the back of the shop, and could handle the grumbling owner too. He loved to laugh and talk and joke and share with people. He loved his job. I remember him taking me out to shops when I was a kid. Each stop was an adventure, or, he knew how to make it fun. And what an animal he was. Love him for him.

Mom is the centered one. She can chew the fat as good as anyone, but, has a sensible side to her. A careful decision maker. Id' like to think that rubbed off on my too.

All in all, I just vowed to enjoy this stuff. And laugh. And fuck around. And when shit's on the line, to be professional, appropriate and on top of it.

It's hard to list them. There's been so many. And some of them, I can't say a thing, you know? Someone needed a hand, and I helped them. And on to the next thing? Like, my couple hours on something could've immensely helped someone, you know? That little buzz is what we should be going for. Not everything is about making a buck.

I just keep room for it. I'm so luck to do this. It's the least I can do, you know?

Helping your family is always the most rewarding, when looking back. I loved making my dad business cards for his "playing Santa" like he'd do each December. He loved giving those things out to EVERYONE.

A) Pretty sure it was an Adobe version of Futura Bold.

B) Helvetica is all you need. Orderly and neat. That'd be my "Desert Island" typeface. (Sitting in the sand, one palmtree, one coconut and me laying out shit in Helvetica...)

1. Helvetica
2. Futura
3. Trade Gothic
4. Gotham, too. An instant classic.
5. Stymie/Memphis/Rockwell.
6. Lubalin Graph

About to graduate? I'd say to get ready to dive in, and remember that there's lots of different jobs related to the design. Sure, everyone will be trying/clawing/scratching for the "cool" job. And let them. You need to "do whatever it takes" to get going. And that means, whatever gig you get, take it on and do a good job. Learn from it. It's all a ladder. And each rung takes time. That job might be rough, but keep in mind a couple things: 01. You got yourself there, and you should be proud. 02. Even the worst design job is better than that pizza job you had in high school. Savor that.

By being on top of emails the best I can, and then, making good notes and doing my damnedest to deliver. And engage. I try to get the clients excited about the project, distancing us from some humdrum game of poisonous back-n-forth. Basically, being a good communicator, and then, delivering on it.