Oops, looks like I covered all of that in the first question. Sorry!
 

Getting laid off from my desk job. I was working as a designer for a PR / advertising agency in St. Louis and it had deteriorated from a very fun, creative workplace into a miserable prison. People were getting let go left and right. As soon as it was my time, I began working from home doing freelance design. I started doodling every day and had totally forgotten how much fun I used to have doing graphic design and art. Getting out of that environment which didn’t allow me to do the work I loved to do was a huge move for me.     

3. What is your biggest inspiration and who/what inspires you today?
I’m constantly searching for images for inspiration. Traveling and seeing new cities is always important for me – it’s a great way to meet new people, see buildings, signs, stores, books, and art galleries you can’t see in your regular day-to-day routine. I take photos of signs, doorways, typography, patterns, and food packaging wherever I go, usually getting ideas for projects from those things I encounter. It’s mainly been graphic design and architecture from the 1960s through 1980s that hit me the hardest. I’ve never been able to explain why in words, but there’s something about that world of design that inspires me in a way that no other era does. 

4. What have been your biggest struggles?
Separating art from design. After seeing all that cool, inspiring stuff and getting ramped up to start creating, it can be difficult to keep myself reined back to focus on specific projects. I have to remind myself that each project is about getting the client’s vision and message across and not about satisfying my personal artistic vision.

5. Sum up your style in 3 words.
Milton Glaser ripoff. 

6. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
The aforementioned design cubicle job was pretty terrible. Aside from that, I’ve worked with some clients who have been painfully difficult to work and communicate with. If nothing else, they’ve made the rest of my time as a designer seem really enjoyable. 

7. Name 3 things you can’t live without?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Helvetica,BASS.

8. What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?  And where?
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, February 2005 and September 2005 at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis, MN. Just before they completely blew up and starting selling out 3000 person theaters, I got to see them twice at this 200 person hole-in-the-wall and they absolutely smashed it. They have raised the bar for what a live band performance in the 21st century should be. They’re the closest thing our generation will ever get to seeing someone like James Brown in his prime and I’m really happy for all of their success. 

9. Name your top 5 favorite hip hop albums of all time?
Run DMC “Tougher Than Leather”, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “Road to the Riches”, N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton”, Beastie Boys “Check Your Head”, Gangstarr – if I could combine the best songs from Step In the Arena, Daily Operation, and Hard to Earn.

10. Tell us what you’re working on next?
Digging my car out from underneath 50000 feet of snow, a poster for the Chicago-based Numero Group record label, CD and LP artwork for rapper Serengeti’s new release on anticon, mix CD artwork for DJ 7L (from 7L & Esoteric and The Bladerunners), mix CD artwork for DJ Morse Morse Code (LA via San Francisco), getting ready for Dre Day 2009 and SXSW 2009. 

11. Do you have any last words for anyone who wants to do what you do?
Do what you love to do. If you’re truly genuine and passionate about it, it will show and you’ll be rewarded for it. If you’re putting out half-assed product, you’re only gonna get a half-assed return on it.