Glue Mag Interview

Here's a blast from the past that's probably better left in the past. But as I launch my website, I find myself feeling somewhat sentimental about the years gone by. So, in the name of fun and humility, I share this art student moment circa April 17, 1999. My wife, Jeanine, who was my friend and classmate at the time, and I were chosen with eight other students to participate in an interview for what was billed as the AIGA Chicago's publication for graphic design students. However, it wasn't released until spring of 2001, which ironically was the same year we got married.

The interview takes place at Studio/lab with owner and AIGA Chair Marcia Lausen. The discussion topic is passion. I've typed the questions and our answers verbatim, along with my sarcastic commentary in italics.

marcia: Passion, according to dictionary definitions, is powerful emotion such as joy, love, hatred, or anger. It is also boundless enthusiasm. If you are passionate, you are capable of having or being dominated by powerful emotions, showing or expressing a strong emotion...How would you describe passion and where does it come from?

jeanine: I think we are lucky to be passionate about something. I think there are too many people who aren't passionate about what they do. I couldn't imagine going through life not loving what I'm doing.

aaron: I don't suppose I would ever want to become a graphic designer just to make money. (Everyone agrees!) I want to be creative. Passion is like a thing inside and you just have to create stuff—almost like an addiction.
> It should be noted that I went on to fulfill my goal of "creating stuff," as well as, and less fortunately, making money a low priority. Jeanine can vouch for that. Maybe I felt extra committed since everyone agreed with me. Be careful what you say, you may will your own destiny.

marcia: Is there something in particular about design that incites your passion?

jeanine: The aspect of design that inspires me most is typography. And, I love making books. I seem to turn all of my projects into books.
> Now, as I was saying, "you may will your own destiny." Well, since graduating, Jeanine has worked for a magazine and a book publisher, and co-art directs a magazine with me. Eight years later and she's still obsessed with books.

aaron: Creating a powerful experience for someone. One of the main attractions to graphic design for me is that I can create something that can affect people in a powerful way.
> That's my burgeoning obsession with branding showing through. I know this post must be a powerful experience for people.

marcia: Let's step away and take an abstract look at passion. If you were to think of passion as a color, what color would it be, and why?

aaron: Politically, I think red is a very strong color. It is so powerful—associated with violence, conflict, anger, love, passion.
> Okay, red is the most obvious answer, but I was obsessed with Russian Constructivist design and that of course is full of red.

jeanine: Purple. When I think of red passion, I think of great anger. Purple to me is like the good passion. Like emotional, private, personal passion.
> Jeanine was of course thinking of her purple Chevy Cavalier from high school. Seriously, I have no idea why she said purple. She hates purple. I think she was just trying to one-up my lame red answer by throwing a color curve ball. Or maybe she was trying to calm my red anger.