It’s all starting to come together. Now, as you drive along Dodge Street, just before you get to 50th Street, you’ll be greeted with a big, beautiful sign that vertically reads “DUNDEE.” A marker for the community on the facade of the newly renovated theater slotted to open later this year. Check out the article from the Omaha World-Herald. I have a couple quotes in there.
I was recently interviewed by The Creative Chair for the 50 States project. Talkin’ design, activism, collaboration, and reincarnation.
The great state of Nebraska is in the middle of flyover country America. Not a place known for high-quality design, booming creative industries, or interesting cultural forces. Which is what makes trying to build a very focused design practice so interesting.
Oldie but a goodie. The mighty Jake Welchert and myself were interviewed by Donovan Beery back in 2013 about design in the political arena. Barack Obama!
I was recently interviewed for The Passion Project, a self-motivated project by three curious design students (Sahm, Dana, and Sam) looking to discover what it means to “pursue your passions.” It was wonderful to meet them and participate in their really amazing project. They’ve interviewed folks in Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, and now, Omaha. Then Denver, Boulder, and back home to Seattle. Check out their journey here. Following are a few questions I answered. Full video should be online later this year.
Making high-quality design available to the do-gooder community. And doing so with a trusted group of highly-talented collaborators who are friends before co-workers.
Of course. Maybe I should get more structure. Maybe I should join a bigger shop. Maybe I should get the hell out of this conservative state. There have been moments in my career trajectory of seriously looking into Chicago, SF, Kansas City, NYC. But small (and medium) suits me, at least for now. I’m not all that interested in super competitive markets. At the end of the day, competing is fleeting. Collaborative and cooperative is the only way we’re all going to get through this gigantic mess we’ve made. Also, if I’m going to work 80 hours a week (which I don’t) I’d rather do it for myself. Our industry has a big problem with overwork and I’m in a very good position currently to constructively do something about trimming the hours down to get closer to 40 per week.
In its infancy. Designers need to try to be more involved. No one is going to say, “hey, you should add your costs to this project.” But design/intention has such an important skill set that can be universally applied to a lot of things. Many people smarter than me have said this before. The design community as a whole should continue to advocate for an elevated role in society and individuallycontinue to be ethical, nuanced, and think critically.
Aside from design/intention and putting things together: loud music, progressive politics, meaningful experiences, quality relationships, amazing food, craft beer. And building a life with my wife Katie.
Join hosts Justin and Katie Kemerling, Jake Welchert, and Adam Casey at this event for Megan Hunt, Candidate for Legislature in District 8, at Round and Round in Dundee. We'll have cocktails, conversation, and homemade snacks from the official #campaigngrandma, Mary Beth.
Tuesday, September 12
5:30–7pm
$25 Suggested Donation
Round and Round
5013 Underwood Avenue
Omaha, NE 68132
Exciting things are afoot in midtown Omaha. In the Dundee neighborhood on 50th & Dodge to be precise. In early 2016, Film Streams announced a major project to restore and reopen the historic Dundee Theater. The 91-year-old theater is on schedule to reopen by the end of the year. All design for the capital campaign by JKDC. It’s all very exciting. More will posted as progress moves along.
Want to infuse your life with more creativity, more joy, and more magic? Of course you do! So, my wife is pretty amazing. She’s big time. Moving, shaking, making things happen. Recently she gave a talk at Creative Mornings Omaha on Ideas to Increase Your Luck Factor. It’s a great talk. For more of that creative spark, give a listen.
