Highlight of the Week: Number 3: Mike Garrett
Every week we at DCTH are picking a #DCTH user at random to highlight. This is a easy way to give back to the community for being so supportive in DCTH and a way to bring more people together and learn who is behind the avatar.
Week Three is Mike Garrett
What I do.
Hello everyone. My name is Mike Garrett. I’m a student at VCU in Richmond, VA graduating in May from the Graphic Design department. I started out at UMBC in Mechanical Engineering and, after a year, realized the part I liked the most about engineering was the thought process and CAD. I left to pursue greener pastures at VCU. I never really explored graphic design before I got in to VCU, but I loved doing front-end development. I’ve spent 4 years discovering the meaning of graphic design, realizing what a good fit it is for me. I ran the student radio station, WVCW, for a number of years and have been involved in various aspects of the design department, including student exhibitions, department web design, Tasmeem in Doha, Qatar and the student mentor program.
Why I joined Twitter.
It all stemmed from the need to find a job in a bad economy, to be honest. At first I was opposed to twitter. It was just a glorified, simplified facebook to me. Once I joined I realized that the network I could build and the interactions I could have would be completely different. Twitter is like having a phone with everyone’s number, interests and location all tied together. I started interacting and found out that twitter is a powerful tool, but the problem is, I believe, that twitter, as a service on its own, is irrelevant. The idea is sound, but the implementation just isn’t completely solid. That being said, there is no alternative at the moment. I’ll keep using what’s available.
Why I love DCTH.
DCTH has been a long time coming. There has needed to be an open table for designers to communicate with one another for a long time. Design conferences are a start. Local get-togethers are nice, but nowhere else can you talk to such a wide variety of designers all on the same playing field. Twitter is definitely the right place to organize the event. It’s growing like a wildfire.
The importance of building a design network.
I am totally convinced that connecting with people of similar interests is essential, especially in the design world. Every job and every opportunity I owe to the relationships I’ve built with other designers. I owe everything I’ve learned to those connections (and school). I believe that design is one of the few professions that really relies heavily on the ties we form with other designers, developers, printers, etc.
Why I design.
It started out as an obsession with cheap publishing. My first foray was in front-end development. I could tell the world about something from my bedroom without spending a dime. My interests moved to social media as it was evolving in the late 90’s. For the last 3 years my interests have included beautiful typography, well-thought-out design, usability and accessibility… in theory. In actuality, it’s been all about fulfilling the requirements of the classes. School has always been so disjointed that it’s difficult to focus on one direction. I’m just waiting to graduate so I can focus on one direction. I keep going because I’m completely addicted at this point. No turning back.
Tools of the trade.
Depending on the project the tools I use could be completely different. I use
A gridded bible
CS3
Transmit
The Hit List
iCal
Eventbox
LittleSnapper
Skitch
Safari 4.
What do you do when you‘re not designing?
I’ve been working on getting married to my fiancée ( see @lindsay_benson ). That’s really been a big part of the last year for me. I know what you’re thinking. Graduation, job searching, marriage, etc? It’s been hectic over the last year. I also ran WVCW, VCU’s student-run radio, as a hobby.
Lessons I’ve learned.
Don’t EVER design for a committee if you can help it.
There is power in good type. It can make the difference between a crap design and an amazing design.
Don’t forget who you’re designing for. A hint? It’s not other designers.
A design is only worth as much as the idea it’s based on.
Stop designing! Take time off. Go outside. Live a little.
Don’t ever back down. Accept your defeats, but defend your position.
Projects I’m working on.
I’m in the middle of putting together the VCU Graphic Design Department site.
My portfolio is all put together, but a lot of it needs to be documented and put online.
I’m a part of a project called Project Simple. We’re prototyping, manufacturing and marketing a $500 surgical table.
Self-Promo
Portfolio: kernme.org
Behance.net: behance.net/two3eight
Society6.com: society6.com/MikeNGarrett
Twitter: twitter.com/MikeNGarrett
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/MikeNGarrett
Facebook: facebook.com
I am currently seeking employment in graphic design, web design and front-end development somewhere around Virginia.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Thanks Mike for the quick turn around on the interview. Good luck on getting hired!
Is that “Mike Garrett is graduating” the poster that everyone’s been talking about? Cool!
“Don’t forget who you’re designing for. A hint? It’s not other designers.”
Oh man, that’s something I forget too often! I recently showed my portfolio to someone who had a background working in a print shop (so he saw a lot of designs throughout his life). He said my stuff is really good, very solid, but in my mind—compared to other designers—I don’t feel like my work is all that great. Earlier this week, I read this article: Don’t Worry About Being Original, Be Genuinely Useful. The universe must be trying to tell me something
Great interview, Mike!
Amazing work mike!!!