Can you tell me a little bit about your path to becoming a designer and how you got where you are now?

I did the typical kid stuff. Legos, sports, bike and such were a mainstay in my life, and had a profound influence on HOW I do what I do. Whether working on my building skills, screwball, jump shot and the like, I always found a way to push myself harder. My dad instilled a pretty good work ethic in me, too. I drew a lot all through high school, but I originally planned to go to college for mechanical engineering. Really! I did trigonometry, physics, chemistry and calculus in high school, but I’m so thankful for that art class I took. Because of that, I changed my major to Graphic Design. Thanks, Mrs. Dowdey!

As far as my studio name, I came up with that in the back of an old sign shop in Newnan, GA. I called that little back room The Studio Temporary, just as a joke. After hearing an interview with Alan Fletcher, in which he called his head the most important tool in his studio, I realized there was something to that name. Good design wherever I happen to be! So for better or worse, that’s my name forever!

"No matter how bad you need the money, no matter how awesome it may sound at the time, if something doesn’t feel right, don't do it!


What does a typical work day look like for you?

Up around 7:00 or 7:30, and in the studio by 8:30. The minute I get to my desk, I make my to-do list for the day. Sometimes it’s long, sometimes it’s not, but having that roadmap is so crucial for me. After that, I hit email and social media, then dive right into whatever’s on my list. Lunch around 1:00 or 2:00, and I rarely eat out. I’ll walk up to W Peachtree or Broad Street to grab a sandwich or something, then head back to the studio. Working lunches! I’ll pound away until 6:30 or so, then head home for dinner with the family.

Was there ever a big mistake you made early in your career and were able to take something valuable from it?

Not trusting my gut.

If you could give one piece of advice to another designer or entrepreneur starting out, what would you say?

TRUST YOUR GUT!  I’m not kidding! No matter how bad you need the money, no matter how awesome it may sound at the time, if something doesn’t feel right, don't do it. Every single time I’ve had that feeling and went through with the job, it always turned into a bad experience.

Can you remember one of the first things you designed or created that you were proud of?

That fish I colored in kindergarten. Seriously! It was so cool. More recently, a logo for my dad’s machine shop and the sign painted on the front of the Switchyards building my studio is in, smack in the middle of downtown Atlanta.