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.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Aaron James Drain's Creative Journey

Aaron James Drain, a 40-year-old graphic designer, introduces himself and his multimedia presentation titled 'Making it in the Little Leagues.' He humorously acknowledges his lack of traditional credentials and accolades, setting a candid tone. Aaron shares his Michigan roots, his parents' influence, and his early years in Detroit before moving to Northern Michigan. He discusses his transition from sports to skateboarding and snowboarding, which influenced his move west after high school. His narrative includes his early experiences in Oregon, his time in Alaska working menial jobs to save for a computer, and his decision to pursue higher education at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Aaron's story highlights his passion for design and his unconventional path to success.

05:03

🚀 Aaron's Entrepreneurial Adventures and Creative Triumphs

Aaron details his entrepreneurial ventures, starting with his design work for a snowboard company and his subsequent move to Southern California to work for Snowboarder magazine. He reflects on the corporate environment and the creative challenges it presented, leading to his decision to return to Oregon. There, he worked for the CCO design office and later started his own design company. Aaron shares the story of how he helped his friend Cory Grove, who faced legal issues over a design, by creating a brand for him pro bono. He also discusses the creation of 'Field Notes,' a project born out of his inability to find simple notebooks without unnecessary designs. Aaron's narrative emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities and the joy of inventing one's own work and clients.

10:05

🎸 Celebrating Art, Music, and Personal Passions

Aaron expresses his love for art, music, and various cultural elements that inspire him. He talks about his admiration for vintage design work and the restraint and creativity of artists from the past who worked with limited resources. He shares his experiences of traveling across America, rescuing and collecting vintage items, and his passion for bands like Richmond Fontaine and The Flaming Lips. Aaron also discusses his work with various brands and artists, including creating logos and designs for local businesses and musicians. His narrative is a celebration of personal interests and the joy of working on projects that are close to his heart.

15:05

🛠️ Aaron's Commitment to Community and 'Free Fridays' Initiative

Aaron concludes his presentation by discussing his commitment to his community and his work. He shares his philosophy of working hard and making the most of his time, proposing a concept called 'Free Fridays.' This initiative aims to use his design skills to help those in need by offering his services for free. He envisions using the income generated from this effort to support others, reflecting his desire to give back to the community. Aaron's closing remarks emphasize the importance of using one's talents to make a difference and his willingness to experiment with new ways of contributing positively.

Keywords

💡Graphic Designer

A graphic designer is a professional who creates visual content to communicate messages. In the video, Aaron James Draplin identifies himself as a graphic designer, emphasizing the broad range of projects he has worked on, from creating logos to snowboard graphics. His career path as a graphic designer serves as the backbone of the narrative, highlighting both the challenges and creative freedom the profession offers.

💡Making It in the Little Leagues

This phrase refers to achieving success in smaller or more niche markets, rather than aiming for the highest levels of fame or recognition. Draplin’s presentation, titled 'Making It in the Little Leagues,' focuses on his journey through the design industry, emphasizing that success can be found outside of mainstream recognition, by working on meaningful projects and staying true to personal values.

💡Analog Pursuits

Analog pursuits refer to activities that are hands-on, physical, and not reliant on digital technology. Draplin mentions his 'analog pursuits' during his early career, such as screen printing and creating snowboard graphics without the aid of a computer. These experiences contrast with the digital tools he later adopts, showcasing his appreciation for traditional, manual methods of design.

💡No Budget, No Problem

This phrase encapsulates Draplin's belief that creativity can thrive even without financial resources. He shares a story about helping his friend with a logo despite the lack of a budget, demonstrating that passion and resourcefulness can lead to successful outcomes. This concept is a recurring theme, highlighting Draplin's commitment to his craft over monetary gain.

💡Field Notes

Field Notes is a brand of pocket-sized notebooks that Draplin co-created, inspired by vintage agricultural memo books. In the video, he discusses how he started Field Notes as a passion project to pay homage to these old, functional items. The brand’s success is an example of how personal interests and creativity can be transformed into a successful business venture.

💡Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts in the context of the video refer to Draplin's practice of 'rescuing' old designs, objects, and ideas from obscurity. He travels across America collecting and preserving items from junk stores and estate sales, which he sees as valuable cultural artifacts. This concept ties into his appreciation for the craftsmanship and design of previous generations.

💡Invent Your Clients

This phrase reflects Draplin’s philosophy of creating opportunities and projects rather than waiting for them. He encourages designers to take initiative and build their own client base by inventing projects that align with their passions. This proactive approach is illustrated through his work on Field Notes and other self-initiated projects.

💡Multimedia Presentation

A multimedia presentation is a method of communication that uses a combination of text, images, video, and sound. Draplin's presentation at TEDx is described as a 'multimedia presentation,' which he uses to engage the audience and share his story in a dynamic way. The use of multimedia reflects his versatility as a designer and his ability to convey his message through various mediums.

💡Cobra Dogs

Cobra Dogs is a hot dog stand brand that Draplin helped rebrand after the owner faced legal issues with their previous logo. This project is an example of Draplin's willingness to take on small, personal projects that may not offer significant financial reward but provide creative satisfaction and help out friends. The brand's success illustrates how passion projects can grow and have a lasting impact.

💡Free Fridays

Free Fridays is a concept Draplin introduces, where he dedicates time each week to provide free design services to those in need. This initiative reflects his belief in using his skills for the greater good and giving back to the community. It's a declaration of his commitment to helping others through his craft, emphasizing that not all work needs to be driven by profit.

Highlights

Aaron James Elhai, a 40-year-old graphic designer, shares his journey and insights on making it in the creative industry.

He humorously acknowledges his lack of traditional credentials and accolades, emphasizing his unconventional path.

Aaron's early life in Michigan, influenced by his parents' love for music and his own passion for sports, shaped his early years.

His move to Oregon at 19, driven by a desire for adventure and a career in snowboarding, marks a significant life change.

Aaron's first paid design work for $300, which was a snowboard graphic, symbolizes his entry into the professional design world.

He discusses the importance of hard work and the sacrifices he made, including washing dishes in Alaska for four summers to afford his design tools.

Aaron's educational journey includes attending the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, which influenced his design philosophy.

He shares his experience working for Snowboarder magazine in Southern California and the corporate environment's challenges.

The story of 'Cobra Dogs', a local business he helped rescue from legal troubles, showcases Aaron's commitment to community and creativity.

Aaron's philosophy on inventing your own clients and life, rather than seeking external validation, is a central theme of his talk.

The creation of 'Field Notes', a project born out of personal need, demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and love for design.

Aaron's love for vintage design and his efforts to rescue and champion forgotten design elements are highlighted.

His work with various brands and companies, including Coal Headwear and Union Binding, showcases his diverse design portfolio.

Aaron's 'Free Fridays' initiative, where he offers his design services to help those in need, reflects his desire to give back to the community.

He concludes with a call to action, encouraging others to use their skills to make a difference and support their communities.

Transcripts

all right all right all

right complete Command of the crowd

right all right

everybody my name is Aaron James drain

I'm 40 years old I'm a graphic designer

doing whatever the hell it takes to make

a living in this town and I prepared a

multimedia presentation today called

making it in the little leagues all

right hello tedex multimedia come on

everybody come

on

okay okay you have a disclaimer for the

crowd I say what I like to say I try to

you know do that all my life you know

and uh our legal team put together a

little something you guys need to sign

off on real quick thank

you thank you okay warning what

no time any coders in the crowd any any

web developers great great uh be

any Siri what's for lunch no I

sorry okay the hard truth I shouldn't be

up here you guys come on serious this is

embarrassing I have no credentials no

professional accolades Google that

good

luck I've never won an award I've never

tried for an award door stop

uh I don't have a book to sell

yet I usually don't wear pants so we

wash the 501s for the big day okay our

history I'm from Michigan Right Michigan

yeah right I was born in Detroit my mom

and dad were into the MC5 right a lot of

hair in my dad was a steel worker four

years old we go up to Northern Michigan

where a lot of terry cloth and feathered

hair growing

up riding bikes swimming in the in in

the lakes and Northern Michigan until

you're about 12 when all the cool kids

start becoming cool and all the kids

you're all in that small town you're

only it's sports or nothing I tried my

hand at

basketball okay 14 years old I go to

Travers City Michigan there's 60,000

people and I get to pick what I want to

be I'm a skateboarder in the summer my

priorities are straight snowboarder in

the winter right and this is when I move

west After High School you know I get my

little tiny associates degree and I go

out west

or where my life began so 19 years old

because here's what Michigan or the

Midwest or whatever told me it said

you're going to hate your job art you

won't make a scent and bigger is always

better right that's what they tell you

right right so I come to Oregon 93 with

all my buddies six of us and we come out

here to be snowboarders in the big big

West right right Jackson Hole we're up

and down the West Living Like

Animals the whole time I'm doing analog

Pursuits you know I don't have a

computer yet you know I'm sh letter in

futon covers

I do my first snowboard graphic for 300

bucks 300 bucks and I I need a computer

to like you know go and work so I got to

go I go to Alaska for four Summers I go

up there to wash dishes princess tours

four Summers beautiful Alaska and while

you're enjoying your lives down here in

Portland four Summers of this

if you look real close sleeping in

between shifts some dick put a mosquito

on my

lip four Summers to get my tools okay

then I go back to school because you got

to go to college and right right so

I go to college I go to Minneapolis

because they pick me as much as I pick

them I go to this Minneapolis College of

Art and Design and I go there because my

heroes these crusty bands from the 80s

that no you know no one knows about

they're from there and working designers

are from there and I start making logos

and thinking about my work and what I

want to do with my job and my life

screen printing this is called famous

alcoholics and uh I get my degree and I

get my first job down in Southern

California and I throw it all away this

incredible gritty North uh Midwest and I

go down to this prehistoric ferns Orange

County and I'm down there

working for Snowboarder magazine where

these are my you know the mega I read

growing up I couldn't say no two years I

do that I meet a bunch of guys get back

to Oregon in 2002 and I get to work for

the CCO design office my buddies in town

I looked up to him and I get up here I

get a job there I'm a senior designer I

had a card got to work on Nicks and

watches making ads designing and watches

all cool stuff but you know I also got

that first taste it's no fault to Sino

this is what happens when you're

professional emails about emails

meetings about meetings and all the

stuff that you go you know you

know I was a good midwesterner if they

asked me to go late I went late but I

jump out I jump out because it tipped I

could make more cash going home 24th in

Hawthorne after 9:00 than I could wantan

to be on the clock during the day right

so I bought a little house in 67th I got

an attacked dog Gary

and I trick out my basement to my spec

no pants allowed

right or where I got free so that's 2004

right and I become this dra and design

company right just one of us now this is

where I got down to work now if you look

here

multimedia

right I've been busy I've been making

logos one of them I got paid 25 Grand

one of them I got paid a

burrito that was good that was actually

good which leads us into this no budget

no problem we're all told to go for the

big jobs the big dollars whatever what

happens when your buddy comes to your

Cobra dogs my buddy Cory Grove my

brother in town here and comes to me and

says hey man I'm in trouble I took that

Cobra Commander logo you know gi. Joe

had cut you a mustard dripping off that

and put on a sweatshirt so to the

wrong kid he takes it home his dad's

some big Hasbro lawyer we get a big big

stack of CE and desis saying what are

you doing Cory comes to me and says I

went to the cool place in town with the

wax mustaches and oh yeah you know

those guys right I

know thank you for coming fellas you

know

sorry so he goes there and they're not

going to do that job there's no budget

you know there's no money so I'll take

that job sure this isn't about money now

this is about rescuing him getting him

out of litigation or applying my little

mouse finger to his life and we get to

round every corner there's no account

Andrew's here breathing down my neck

Bean cting whatever you want to call it

right we subversively make him a real

brand for fun for love right and if you

go to Government Camp you'll see Cobra

dogs eight years now going go get a

cobra dog all over the West he's been

franchising and going and setting up Sho

and doing this when I look back at my

life the last 10 years I got to hit one

out of the park for Nemo design here in

town pinch hitting for my my friends

over there and you work on the big Nik

thanks for doing this Nik by the way h a

company you got uh when you work on Nike

when you're this you get to see this I

traveled I get to see it in Munich pic

circus London uh New York and LA in 12

days right but I look back at my last 10

years three months after I made this big

thing the next hot was out there

and our little thing we toiled over was

dead and so it goes right when I look

back at my life I want to have Cobra

dogs I made his mom happy I made his mom

happy okay okay you can invent your

clients you can invent your life I made

a little thing called field notes just

because I couldn't find without

yeah I couldn't find ones that didn't

have Hello Kitty on it you know I I

powels you know on the super highway

from America you know America from

Michigan to Oregon I've been collecting

these things out of junk drawers and

estate

sales and I kind of want us pay respect

to this beautiful agrarian you know

object that are dead they're gone

everyone used to Old-Timers used to have

those in their pockets that's how they

was a currency of how they would predict

things I made this company we've

exhausted the whole French paper line

putting dots on a map putting dots on a

map all over America I'm just here to

say thank you whoever's buying them

thank you but remember we can do this

ourselves right we can do this we can

invent we're hired by someone smarter

than us to go pay us at half our rate

because it's a down economy sure

sure for someone else what if you do it

for yourself because every dollar we

make on these little cool things it

tastes so good you know a couple years

ago I got to help my mom and dad buy a

car that's pretty cool right that was

pretty cool so think about inventing

your life inventing your clients

inventing your dayto day right whatever

you call it I'm doing pretty good up

here huh yeah okay okay see it's very

surreal a lot of sweat going

on Rescue efforts what do people do for

fun they go a wine tasting or

uh farmers markets and I don't know

I don't

I go across America junking got a van

right die in that van live in that van

going to stuff like this like my friends

are saving to go to India it sounds

incredible but I go to Indiana

right and I've been with my camera

around my neck rescuing Treasures

because I know about the big guys man I

know about the big guys I wrote papers

about them I got to meat MIM velli and

when I see that stuff in the world

that's incredible but I'm kind of when I

pick design

I based on my height weight and face I

was told I was going to be a plumber

right 1991 so it's like you pick and

it's like small engine repair uh uh uh

VCR repair bounty hunting you

know Commercial Art I picked art

man cuz that's how those guys picked it

I think 20 30 40 years ago and the work

they did I collect and rescue and sort

of champion this stuff because I don't

want to go away the work they did was

beautiful to me cuz it was it was had

restraint had one color and yet at one

1,000th of the power we have in our

Mouse finger they did incredible stuff

back then and I don't want to go away

what have people Ed their social media

for I know pictures of coffee huh the

little leaf yeah I know oh H sorry

okay go play with this stuff go look at

it

no complaining on the job because they

did incredible stuff and yet you know we

have a million typ faces and a million

colors and a million reasons why it was

due yesterday right and I go look at

this stuff and it just kind of chills me

out you know to remember that these are

each a centimeter big I bought them uh

the little guy on the right 135th and

whatever out in the East you know and

bought it from this little tiny rivet

box and it's this big and here it is

100t and that's what Paul ran taught me

right illustrator Photoshop whatever it

won't it won't teach you that okay we're

moving right along what's next for the

DDC 10 years with the coal headwear

company 10 years with the Union binding

company my brothers my brothers got to

do the logo for sizzlepie I got to go to

do the poster for Sasquatch and we got

to go could care less could care less

about Vampire Weekend

but I love tame

andala FX Skillet my buddy Mike started

the skillet company in town invented his

world Dr the logo and help out with the

box and stuff for my buddy

Mike made a sh made a a poster for the

space shuttle right I'm a child of the

Space Shuttle you are too made a logo

for the sun might as well go big

right four record set atto records

coming out in a couple months

here did some graphics for a Target

Aspen house you heard of

Target uh the new new record from the

old97s I love this band in the '90s

April 29th new think I mean I got to

make it I got to meet the band

good-looking bunch of guys guys uh this

all over the nation I've been going

everywhere saying this right right

look at this like who goes to

Saskatoon I was there last week two

nights it was great and I got a personal

trainer

now party's over Portland Oregon that's

right here I am 500,000 people web hi

Mom right and I'm going to I'm getting

small man cuz you know part's over

perfect things am my life the things I

love perfect things my mom right my dad

my family my gal my

G Gary little Gary what's good for his

mouth is good for

mine my nephew Oliver Oliver Oliver

Oliver all right we'll see you this

afternoon America America I love the

man I love autumn bit of a hot summer

last summer a lot of Gold Bond lot of

Gold Bond

I love guitars I love records I love

ghost signs love sweatpants man my

favorite Portland Band for 15 years

Richmond Fontaine I love Richmond

Fontaine I get to do their records now

Will's a

buddy futur bold working man's font

right old

signs my buddy's in Red Fang coil get

home soon we miss you

coil Legos I love

Legos my favorite band of all time The

Flaming Lips right if these turkeys

could do it here I was in Oklahoma two

months ago saying you know thanks to

Wayne yet again if they could do it any

one of us could do it my favorite band

of okay that's not even close to

perfect

okay a little secret okay number one Kid

Rock I'm from Detroit and it this is

yeah s sandals at a wedding bad signage

a raging epidemic in Portland

Oregon Master Chef jacqu strap is

preparing some meal up on

whatever no decimal points on that you

can't read the menu and it's an upcharge

if you want ice in your glass Portland

Oregon everybody all right okay here

multimedia this turd was a little

tracking for you guys is curing here

can't quite get this right when you

watch that big multimedia show that guy

right perfect right

no hips are just Gish guys poaching

wires hanging out on SP okay sorry

s okay where the Net's out at I love

what I get to do I support my family

with this I paid my house off on

67th with graphic

design I donate loot to people who need

help I get to do that and I did it

working with my buddies thank you

Portland right and I don't have to wear

pants when I'm

work and finally some arithmetic okay

here's here's my idea listen I work all

week long I work you know everyone's

moaning they have to go home they have

to weekend off I work on Saturday and

Sunday I strike when the iron's hot I'm

from I'm from Michigan and yeah you know

you work all week long you know and just

I'm rewarded with a paycheck and I throw

out so much time I get rewarded with

some cash but I'm kind of tired of

throwing those hours away I don't get

those back so I'm going try something a

little different just kind of just move

I've been doing this anyway what if we

do this thing called Free Fridays and I

use my little mouse finger to help

people I don't know you know I'm going

to try it and for the next bunch of

Fridays moving forward

here four to five hours you know 150

bucks Studio rate right Wilderness Dave

and goo

right 500 bucks on an afternoon if I do

that for the next five years just going

for it that's 150 Grand I would donate

to helping people with my mouse finger

right right think about that my stupid

little mouse finger just think about

that CU it's cool making money but I'm I

throw away so many

hours helping people because I think we

could do a little more of that right

right now listen I don't know this is a

big declaration we're going to do the

Free Fridays I'm going to try it the

idea of like saying I'm on Craigslist

and there's Hank's long here I throw a

dart and I say Hank come on in I'll help

you full force the DDC make you a

good-look business card right get them

out of there I'm going to try it it

might work it might not that was the

same I was feeling when I came out

here in 1993 so all right thank you

thank you