Making it in the little leagues: Aaron Draplin at TEDxPortland

Summary

Aaron James Drain, a 40-year-old graphic designer from Michigan, shares his journey from small-town sports to a career in design. He humorously admits his lack of traditional credentials but highlights his passion for creating, from early snowboard graphics to founding his own design company. Drain emphasizes the importance of inventing your own path, as seen through his work with local businesses like Cobra Dogs and Field Notes. He also announces 'Free Fridays,' where he'll donate his design services to help those in need, showcasing his commitment to community and creativity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aaron James Drain, a 40-year-old graphic designer, shares his journey and insights in a humorous and candid presentation titled 'Making it in the Little Leagues'.
• 🏆 Despite having no major awards or accolades, Aaron emphasizes the importance of doing what you love and finding success on your own terms.
• 🏞 Aaron's career began in Michigan, moved to Oregon, and then to Alaska for four summers, where he worked menial jobs to save up for his graphic design tools.
• 🎨 Aaron's passion for graphic design led him to create logos and brands, including the popular 'Cobra Dogs', which started as a rescue mission for a friend in legal trouble.
• 💼 Aaron discusses the challenges of working in a professional setting, including the bureaucracy and meetings, which led him to value the freedom of working for himself.
• 🏡 Aaron's company, Dra and Design, focuses on creating unique designs and brands, even when budgets are tight, showcasing the power of creativity over financial resources.
• 🗞 Aaron's work has ranged from designing for big brands like Nike to smaller, more personal projects like 'Field Notes', which he created because he couldn't find the kind of notebooks he liked.
• 🚀 Aaron's career highlights include designing for various companies and bands, such as Coal Headwear, Union Binding Company, and Richmond Fontaine, demonstrating his versatility and love for his work.
• 🌐 Aaron's love for travel and exploration is evident as he shares his experiences of going across America to 'junk' for treasures, reflecting his passion for design history.
• 💡 Aaron proposes 'Free Fridays', a concept where he would use his skills to help others for free, showing his desire to give back to the community and use his talents for the greater good.

Q & A

What is Aaron James Drain's profession?

Aaron James Drain is a graphic designer.

What is the title of Aaron's multimedia presentation?

The title of Aaron's multimedia presentation is 'Making it in the Little Leagues'.

What disclaimer does Aaron mention at the beginning of his presentation?

Aaron mentions that he says what he likes to say and that their legal team has put together something the audience needs to sign off on quickly.

Where is Aaron originally from?

Aaron is originally from Michigan, specifically Detroit.

What were Aaron's priorities during his teenage years in Northern Michigan?

During his teenage years, Aaron's priorities were being a skateboarder in the summer and a snowboarder in the winter.

Why did Aaron move west after high school?

Aaron moved west after high school to pursue a life as a snowboarder in the big West.

What did Aaron do to earn money before getting into graphic design full-time?

Aaron washed dishes in Alaska for four summers to earn money before fully committing to graphic design.

What is the name of the company Aaron started after working for various design offices?

Aaron started a company called 'Drain Design Co.' after working for other design offices.

What significant project did Aaron work on that he considers a personal achievement?

Aaron considers creating the brand 'Cobra Dogs' for his friend Cory Grove a significant personal achievement.

What is the concept behind 'Field Notes' that Aaron created?

Aaron created 'Field Notes' because he couldn't find notebooks without unnecessary designs like Hello Kitty on them, and he wanted to pay respect to the beautiful, simple agrarian object.

What is Aaron's proposal for 'Free Fridays'?

Aaron proposes 'Free Fridays' where he will use his skills to help people for free for four to five hours, with the goal of donating the equivalent of his work's value to helping others.