Answers to questions from design school graduates. — Back in May 2020 I was invited by Design Nation, an offshoot of Princeton University’s Business Today, to field an executive seminar with about a dozen design students and recent design school graduates. …

Some perspective and principles for high school scholars — What’s good Young People of Earth? With the pandemic, politics, protests, police brutality and college pursuits hanging in the balance, you might be thinking: not much is good right now. I feel that. But you might also be saying (and I really hope you are): “Man, these adults have really…

Two months after being elected co-president, I made a choice. Today Two months after being named co-president of AIGA Chicago, I’m stepping aside—not down—and looking forward to what’s next. Next for the board, the chapter, the community, and myself. Of course I feel a bit sheepish leaving my new post so…

Finding Your Parenting Mantra — Reflection & Gratitude. The Dadwell Podcast debuted on Father’s Day 2019. Producing and hosting 25 episodes, I’ve learned an incredible amount about myself and my role as partner and parent. All of which was made possible by humble, honest men who shared their strengths and struggles as entrepreneurs, creators and dads — through…

A message of solidarity and a call to action from AIGA Chicago — It’s a designer’s nature to question the world. It’s our responsibility to attempt to understand and solve the problems impacting individuals and systems. It’s human nature to console and comfort those around us. America has witnessed yet another week of unbearable ugliness and violence. We’ve bared witness to incredible —…

A personal reflection on COVID-19, social distancing, and sheltering in place with kids. — “If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.“ –Shantideva COVID-19 is sparking our two greatest human fears: the fear of being alone and the fear of death. …

What to do when all your design applicants are homogeneous — As the former VP of Diversity & Inclusion for AIGA Chicago, I’m still approached by lots of well-intentioned hiring managers and group directors motivated to diversify their design teams but frustrated their job posts aren’t yielding the creatives of color, queer creatives, and female creatives they’re seeking. …

It’s impossible to share our mistakes without talking about regret or pain or loss. But it’s also possible to talk about them as lessons learned, facts found, and truths revealed…. In 2019, I was invited to share my “biggest mistake” in front of 275 people as part of a special…

Why a designer who never wanted children launched a podcast all about creativity and fatherhood. — I started Dadwell & Co. as an independent media project at the intersection of creativity and fatherhood. The Dadwell Podcast shares stories about maker/artist/designer dads who are managing thriving creative practices while remaining present, engaged, kick-ass fathers. Each episode I pull back the curtain on a different dad’s creative practice…