Once upon a time, I fell in love with stories.
My parents loved to tell stories about my childhood to anyone who would listen. A favorite was how, when I was three years-old, they found me in the middle of their bed cradling a book I’d memorized and loved to pretend to read (I did this with all my books). This day, however, was different. Instead of “reading,” the reported I was bereft, crying despondently.
When my parents rushed in to determine what great tragedy had occurred, checking my every limb and surface in the process, I finally sobbed out the reason for my tears. I was terrified I’d never learn to actually read. Yep, at the ripe old age of three I was worried I was woefully behind in the skill.
You see, by then I was already in love with stories. I loved that magical combination of words and imagery. I loved to escape into new worlds and travel through time. As I grew older, I became an obsessive reader, scanning every road sign, bill board, and store front...just to read the words. Stories, though...they were the pinnacle of my reading delight.
I was a proud owner of a library card and I used that thing like a free credit card to fun. I used to hide a flashlight under my pillow to read after “lights out” and vacations had an entire piece of luggage dedicated to books. Throughout college and even as an adult I love nothing more than a light night read to transition into a weekend.
All that reading and all those stories did something interesting to me...it helped me find narrative in seemingly dry situations. That magical combination of words and pictures still skips through the hills of my mind when I’m approaching a design or considering the best positioning for a project. Brands are like an epic story for me, the act of crafting the tool that will help the hero win the day. Selecting assets, voice, arena, characteristics...it’s all part of that story in my head.
So, I thought I’d share just a bit of my saga...design and otherwise here. Welcome to my story!