Name: Eduardo G. Castro
Place of Employment: KTRK TV
Job Title: Graphic Designer

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
Embarrassingly, less than a year! My schedule is capricious and I attend events accordingly, this or that catching my fancy, paying as I go. After a pitch from Robin Tooms, I realized I could do more and enjoy supporting an organization that will be there when I cannot.

The socials usually land on my calendar, though I tend to be a wallflower at the parties until that first shot of Jäger. I like stepping away from the computer to people watch or test my real world social skills. Browsing event photos on my iPad is pretty cool and this year’s carpet bomb approach, highlighting different specialties each month is inviting.

What is your take on the creative industry in Houston? How do you think we can make it different?
I like how Barack Obama often says “…lead by example.” Promote, better yet choose an alternative and make it the norm. Is it just about the dollars or could there be something else? Shift a paradigm. It’s probably sent a signal you already recognize.

What inspired you to become a designer?
Instinct. A primitive desire to imprint everything around me. I am a Neanderthal.

What other creative/art events do you attend?
As a Museum of Fine Arts Houston member, I enjoy attending the adult lectures and exhibit openings. This is a great town for art and art history. Need some inspiration? Stop by any of this city’s museums and it will provide a spark.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
I rollerblade laps around my neighborhood esplanade, browse Best Buy online, watch Hawaii Five-0, The Defenders & The Mentalist, Flipboard through social media, and play in the neighbor’s garden.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
In the course of defining what I now call my career, I unexpectedly found myself holding a regional Emmy Award for Craft in Animation. It was the first award I ever received and I was just doing my job! It represents a personal achievement in what was a fledgling industry, but most of all it represents the power of a great ensemble. I still have the pleasure of serving the broadcast market with a member of that original team.

Who are your design heroes or mentors?
Mentors include my high school art teacher Betty Briggs, who recognized my talent, took me under her wing, and illuminated principals of design. On the administrative front, Mimi Quintanilla stressed the importance of discipline and a smile. Tom Ash proved I can be proud to serve a great boss.

Leonardo da Vinci is a life-long hero. Artist, scientist, industrial designer, procrastinator, the whole package. However as a child, it was Jean Cocteau’s 1946 film “La Belle et la Bête” that had me spellbound one Saturday afternoon in front of the TV set. Black and white Flanders, foreign tongues, and a dandy beast. It was the catalyst for my own adventure in motion graphics.

Where can we find you?

egchouston.com

twitter.com/egchouston

web.me.com/egchouston/Blog

About Eduardo G. Castro

As a KMOL TV Minority Scholarship recipient, I studied Journalism, Broadcasting and Film at Trinity University. Upon completing my Bachelor’s of Arts, I dabbled in education at the San Antonio Museum of Art, moved to Houston and became head of Special Projects for Oshman’s Sporting Goods nationwide stores. Later I returned to journalism as an Editorial Artist for the Houston Chronicle, shifting to broadcast I earned an Emmy at KPRC, filled-in at KHOU and presently work part-time at KTRK TV. Oh, yeah, I also freelance motion graphics. Houston bean berry, berry goot to me!

Heston D. Miles
Idea Integration
Art Director / Creative Team Lead

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
I have been a member since 2007 (Kansas City AIGA, Hampton Roads AIGA).  I think the most important thing that I get out of being a member is the opportunity to network with other artists in the area and get differing perspectives on the creative industry.

What is your take on the creative industry in Houston? How do you think we can make it different?
I haven’t lived here that long, so I don’t really know – my initial impression is that it seems like the ad agencies are largely geared toward the predominant industries in the area (oil and energy).  As far as how to make it different, I’d probably need to learn a bit more about the Houston-area creative industry before making suggestions.

What inspired you to become a designer?
One particular inspirational event doesn’t come to mind – I’ve always just sort of been into drawing and designing for as far back as I can remember.

What other creative/art events do you attend?
I honestly haven’t really attended much since I’ve been in Houston.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
A few things right now – I’m always trying to come up with new ways to entertain my 5-year old son, I play and collect guitars, I’m working on an iPhone app with my brother, and I have a blank skateboard deck that I’ve been meaning to paint for a few months.  I also read quite a bit and am a huge fan of historical documentaries and vintage cartoons.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
I don’t know that I have one in particular – industry awards are always nice, but I think anytime you can create something where the process was a struggle, but then it ends up looking amazing – those are always proud moments.  (It’s nice when clients appreciate that as well).

Who are your design heroes or mentors?
Jayse Hansen (Las Vegas) and the Interactive Team at Bernstein-Rein (Kansas City).  Working with people like Jayse and at places like Bernstein-Rein really were career defining for me – those experiences not only helped me to define my own design style, but also taught me new approaches to the creative process.

Where can we find you?
My work: http://www.imovedots.com Twitter: @hmiles442

About Heston Miles:
Heston Miles is an Interactive Art Director, Developer and Creative Team Lead who recently moved to the Houston Area, where he currently works for Idea Integration.  He has more than 10 years of experience in the advertising industry, and has worked in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Boca Raton and Virginia Beach.

Heston is a graduate of Louisiana State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. His client list includes McDonald’s, Microsoft, USAA, Time Warner Cable, HP, Shell, Harrah’s, Eli Lilly, Bank of America, and Hard Rock International. He has won awards for creative direction, art direction, design and development, including: FWA Site of the Day, Webby Award, Local/Regional/National Addys, and Adobe Site of the Day.

Name: Beckham Dossett
Place of Employment: University of Houston

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
I’ve been a member of AIGA since 1999. AIGA is a great organization. I value the role it plays in promoting design as a profession and for fostering a sense of community at both the national and local levels. AIGA also provides the students I teach at the University of Houston with an introduction to the Houston design community—both its members and the issues that concern them as designers.

What is your take on the creative industry in Houston? How do you think we can make it different?
The creative community in Houston is diverse and, from what I’ve seen at recent AIGA events, well networked. I enjoy seeing multiple organizations hosting events together.

What inspired you to become a designer?
I decided to pursue an education in design after enrolling in a design class as a prerequisite for another major. At the time I had a degree in painting and was back in school to begin a new course of study. Midway through the design class, I realized I’d found the thing I wanted to do. Up until that point, I didn’t fully appreciate design. I had heard about it, but out of ignorance never considered it career option. Bottom line, I had no idea how rule based I was!

What other creative/art events do you attend?
I try and go to museums as much as possible. Breaking my routine and seeing art energizes me.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
During the school year I don’t stop working. Summer is the time I slow down. I catch up on reading, spend as much time as possible in Central Texas at a place I own on Hog Creek, and try to travel to locations where I can do some hiking and rock climbing.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
My greatest accomplishment as a design professional is teaching. I’d like to think I’ve positively influenced a few design students, though the majority of those I’ve taught might say I’ve been more effective at scaring the daylights out them. Like I said, I like rules.

Who are your design heroes or mentors?
I try not to have heroes. Something about worshipping others has always turned me off. I do admire and respect the work of certain designers and design thinkers, however. Two that I find interesting are Bruce Mau and John Maeda. My mentors are the teachers who taught me as a design undergraduate and graduate student.

Where can we find you?
www.smallprojectoffice.com

About Beckham Dossett:
Beckham Dossett teaches design at the University of Houston and owns Small Project Office, a studio focused on working with educational and arts organizations.

Name: Tommy Leo
Place of Employment: National Oilwell Varco
Job Title: Design Manager

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
I started with AIGA back in 2002 after the dot-com bust to gain a perspective on what was happening with the local design community and how other member organizations were dealing with the downturn. Today, the rewards of membership are a bit less clear as new priorities have reduced my opportunities to engage AIGA members.

What is your take on the creative industry in Houston? How do you think we can make it different?
There has always been a vast pool of great talent within Houston, but it seems the market perception and demand is elsewhere. During conversations with clients and potential leads as an independent consultant, a few are swayed and satisfied with locally-produced work, but a great many more would rather put their visual communication strategy in the hands of shops in Austin and beyond. Perhaps it’s our ”Southern hospitality” that is our undoing, as some confuse it with holding to steadfast conservative ideals which put unwarranted restriction on the ebb and flow of creativity. If Houston is ever to gain decent foothold on the national design stage, I think we’ll first have to shed the “red.”

What inspired you to become a designer?
I went to a circus when I was just about five-years old and the first thing I did when I entered first-grade was to re-create the entire three-ringed colorful spectacle with construction paper. I constructed 3D paper models of entire animals, flying trapezes and all sorts of other elements in the circus. I believe it was at that moment, I became a designer.

What other creative/art events do you attend?
I’ve attended the HOW Design and Adobe MAX conferences, which are both excellent opportunities to capture new perspectives and re-energize my design.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Much of my time is spent keeping my family with happy with food, fun and friends.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
Receiving the American Graphic Design Award three times over and taking top honors in a Xerox color contest.
Who are your design heroes or mentors?
Salvador Dali and Mad Men’s Don Draper.

Where can we find you?
Online playing Halo.

Name: Rowan Gearon
Place of Employment: Adcetera
Job Title: Creative Director

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
I’m definitely one of the new kids on the block when it comes to membership … its been just about a whole month now! I’ve been attending AIGA events (design lectures and the occasional mixer) on and off since moving to Houston 7 years ago. As someone who believes in contributing to the growth and understanding of our industry, I figured I was overdue to actually sign up and offer my support!

The networking at events is probably the biggest drawcard for me. It is interesting to share war stories and be aware of what’s going on in our industry. Though i did just save a bunch of money on a new Macbook Pro

What is your take on the creative industry in Houston? How do you think we can make it different?
Houston is a city filled with talented people—designers, illustrators, graffiti artists … you name it. As the 4th largest city in the US there is no question that talent is all around us. There are so many excellent groups doing amazing things in this city, from the Orange Show’s Art Car Parade to the events of Rice Design Alliance, from the highbrow sculptures of David Addicks to the street level work of groups like Knitta and Aerosol Warfare. Not to forget the AIGA of course.

Even with all this talent, the sad truth is that considering our size, there really is not enough visible artistic presence! Too few events, too many lego styled strip-malls with artistically shackled signage rules. Too many talented individuals that hide back in their homes or offices and forget that there is an audience out there, that Houston is home to so many untapped resources and possibilities for creative exposure and collaboration. The city is bursting with opportunity for giant exposure and what better time to be here!

The most important thing for designers to do is to remember why they became designers in the first place. Don’t turn up to work, go through the motions, collect a paycheck and go home. Strive to master your art through collaboration and self discipline—learning doesn’t end at school. Find a way to make art or design you can believe in, learn to recognize opportunities in disguise and always push yourself to do your best work.

Lastly support those around you. Learn to be a teacher as much as a student and support your creative community.

… Hey where’s my soapbox?

What inspired you to become a designer?
As a kid growing up on a farm in rural Australia, I was drawing from a young age and designing my own mix tape covers from about the age of 10. I remember when I was 12 reading a job description of a graphic designer and thinking it sounded like the coolest job on earth. I remember it seeming an impossible dream at the time … like wanting to grow up to be a transformer.

What other creative/art events do you attend?
Asides from design and advertising related speaker tours, I especially enjoy urban or street inspired art shows. I often attend student graduate design exhibitions here in town also, partly to scout for talent and partly seeing what the younger designers are up to these days.

The last design conference I attended was the OFFF conference in NYC 2 years ago (which was well worth it!).

I also watch and listen to a healthy dose of design, branding and new media podcasts and videos online, which help to keep the designer blood flowing!

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Travel is a big life priority for me—surf or snowboard trips with my wife or home to Australia whenever I can (not often enough).

My wife Shirley also runs a tennis clothing brand and coaching business so I help out with the design aspects—you don’t wanna see me with a racquet! http://www.kclawsport.com/

The other great love of my life is music. I used to sing and play in bands in Australia and these days I’m working on a set of 2-piece songs for bass guitar, vocals and drums.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
Back in 2000 after being lead designer and art director for billabong.com, it was announced Best Website at the NEA World Extreme Sport Awards in Munich Germany. This was a serious high roller red carpet event with the who’s who of extreme sport and competition from some of the most dynamic websites on the planet. This was back in the days when Flash websites were king. We then went on to win again it the next year following a complete redesign. I continued working on their sites until I moved from Australia, and based on this experience landed work as an Art Director at O’Neill Europe (based in Holland) while traveling.

Who are your design heroes or mentors?
I’m the kind of guy who enjoys what’s new and exciting as well as old and established. My short attention span changes design heroes as often as underwear when it comes to modern influence, but I have traditional influences that I always come back to. Many of them are illustrators but the list also includes web developers, marketing gurus, and design historians.

Here’s a random smattering that come to mind in an equally random order:

M.C.Escher
Alex Trochut
Saul Bass
Mark Coleran
Folkert Gorter:
House Industries
Serial Cut
Big Spaceship
Jay Ryan
Kevin Dart
Frank Kozik
Jim Phillips
Rick Griffin
Zedz
Banksy
Daim
Alex Varanese
Jhonen Vasquez
Erik Natzke
Seth Godin
Jeffrey Smart
Lichtenstein
Kozyndan
Scott Hansen
Albrecht Dürer

But ask again tomorrow and the list will be completely different.

Where can we find you?
linked in: Rowan Gearon
twitter: gearon

Name: Amy Guillory
Place of Employment: Harris County Department of Education
Job Title: Graphic Arts Technician

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
I’ve been attending AIGA events for years through a student membership, and officially became a professional member in March. To sum it up in one word on what I get out of my membership … INSPIRATION! I learn so much from the various presentations, and its amazing to meet Houston-wide mentors and competition. As well as the great feeling I walk away with when I can give advice to upcoming designers. I feed off inspiration, and its what keeps my creative flow going.

What inspired you to become a designer?
Having quite a few artists in my family, I was introduced to visual arts a young age. I spent a lot of my time drawing and collecting cool magazine tear outs, and when nearing high school completion, I was looking for options to continue my passion for art and design. I felt graphic design was the perfect fit for me, and I still strongly believe that today.

Where’s one place in Houston you didn’t know about until recently?
Last year, I was introduced to Artcrawl for the first time. The personal experience of being in the artist’s studio, and seeing them in their element was amazing. Walking around Houston from one art space to the next, was the perfect way to familiarize myself with the lesser known areas of Houston, as well as meeting many eclectic artists and designers.

What local designers are your mentors or that you are following?
I don’t have one person in particular. I am blessed for all my talented artist friends and colleagues that I am able to surround myself with. Whether it be web design, video, photography, graphic design, or even fine art … we all inspire each other on a daily basis, keep each other in the loop, and are open to one another’s feedback and critiques for growth.

What other creative/art events do you attend?
AIGA and HOW design conferences, Art Directors Club of Houston, American Marketing Association, Houston Advertising Federation, Texas School Public Relations Association, MFAH Mixed Media events, Bayou City Art Festival, Artcrawl, Addy Awards, Business Marketing Association Lantern Awards, Telly’s.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
I really enjoy cooking, road trips, live music, happy hours, and spending time with friends and family.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a design professional?
One of my most memorable projects that I call “my baby” would be Clean & Green, Port of Houston Program. This is a Buffalo Bayou Clean-up and Restoration Initiative program that involved logo design and identity package, invites and programs, production ads, banners, promotional items, commercials, and the most exciting (for me) being a vehicle wrap. It was really fun to see this project completely through from start to finish.

Where can we find you?
Facebook or email: livin4design@yahoo.com
My official Web site is under construction, but I have a few samples for review at www.livin4design.webs.com

Name: Chris Lockwood
Place of Employment: Herring Design
Job Title: Illustrator

How long have you been an AIGA member and what do you get out of being a member?
About ten years, off and on. I like the social aspect of being in a community of people who like what they do for a living.

What inspired you to become a designer?
I was studying fine art in college and one of my professors intuited from my work that I would be more interested in graphic design. She brought in several issues of Communication Arts Magazine to lend me and I was hooked.

What has been the most challenging aspect of the evolution of design over the years? How do you see print/web evolving in the next 5 years?
The most challenging part of this business is how rapidly technology changes and the effect it has on the work we do. Keeping up with the technology and the pressure brought on by the economy are the two biggest issues for me. I think print will continue to become less important and offer fewer opportunities to execute really good design. Web, however will continue to evolve, but whether that evokes good design will depend on the people adopting the new technologies.

What project do you have the most bragging rights to?
None come to mind immediately. Most projects I work on are team efforts and it’s hard to point to one and say I did that.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Riding my bike(s).

What advice would you give to an aspiring designer? What advice would you give to a graduate? What advice would you give to a professional?
I’d tell aspiring designers to listen and observe. I often tell graduating students to get involved with non-profit organizations to help them with projects they need design help with. I’d tell professionals to stay on top of the technology— it’s so easy to get left behind.

You’re very active in the AIGA Houston community as well as the Houston art community, how did you become so submerged in the culture? What sites do you get your event information from?
Glasstire.com is the best source for what’s going on in the visual arts. Their blogs and reviews paint a good picture of what’s going on in the visual arts community. Spacetaker and Fresh Arts are good runner-ups. Facebook is a good way to get connected to groups, galleries, clubs and other organizations. By becoming a fan to the organizations I like, I am able to know what and when events are happening.

Where can we find you?
I’m on facebook.

Name: Norma Riehle
Place of Employment: 2 Chairs Design, Christ Church Cathedral
Job Title: Principal/Creative/Director of Communications

What inspired you to get involved by volunteering your time with AIGA Houston?
I can’t imagine NOT being involved with AIGA. Besides the direct contact with other designers at different events and socials, there is the continual feed of inspiration that can make you feel as though you are not floating aimlessly without any direction. When you support something, it’s natural to become involved at some level. I like the professionalism AIGA brings to the field of graphic design. Since each chapter is linked to the national organization you have a sense of standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest contributors to the profession in the country. I have a strong belief that part of our responsibility as designers is to pave the way for people to come behind us – so education is also key. AIGA is not afraid to bring up the challenging issues and invite conversation. In my opinion, this is how real, positive change happens.

As one of the newest board members (web chair), how do you see your role helping you long term?
Since I came to graphic and web design as a second career (my first career was in finance), I want to be continually pushed to do things better and more efficiently. This board position is an excellent fit for me since I thrive on creating experiences and information architecture on the screen. I find a great satisfaction in learning new systems and in making content easier to understand and navigate in the online environment. I’m excited about coming alongside Communications Director, John Luu to evolve AIGA’s web site into the “go to” place for all designers in Houston.

What inspired you to become a print/interactive designer?
After having a critically ill son 20 years ago and surviving a divorce and then having new life in a second marriage, my husband asked me five years ago, “If you could be anything in the world, what would it be?” I remember instantly saying, “a graphic designer.” It was one of those moments that changed the direction of my life because I felt like I finally had permission to do what I loved. I decided to go for it and never look back. I began study at the Art Institute in 2005 and then transitioned to Savannah College of Art and Design three years ago. I graduate with a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design this May and will finish my thesis in August.

What’s the story behind your company 2 Chairs Design?
To me, what we do, at its most visceral level is communicate with others. The most intense communication happens in small groups, or in essence, two people sitting side by side. 2 Chairs is representative of the basic human need that we have – to be heard and understood by others. My husband and I started dubbing our time alone as “two chairs” when we realized that the best conversation we had was in the two chairs that sat in the corner of our living room. It became apparent that without this, the rest of the stuff really doesn’t matter. I think this is the core of what we do – help others communicate by creating visuals and experiences so that others understand. It’s really about tuning everything else out so that the message is delivered one on one.

What project do you have the most bragging rights to?
I have spent so much time in school I literally feel like I have been in a cloistered environment for the last three years. I’ve done a lot of identity (print, web, email) work for my husband’s non-profit professional choral group CANTARE Houston. I’ve recently created a web site for another group called Link2Peace which is an organization that responds to the violence against women and children in the world (www.link2peace.org). I loved working on this site and had the opportunity to create their logo and to set up a content management system for them.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Well, right now I’m working on my thesis so every waking moment is spent researching and conceptualizing. My topic is the role of graphic design principles in developing navigationally sound web sites in the context of information design and applicable usability measures. I have to create a written and a visual component. I’m working on creating a blog for people to interact with and to add feedback during this process.

For complete, utter, self absorbed pleasure with no deadlines or expectations, I paint. I’m working on a painting now of a winter scene.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a designer?
I think finishing the course work for the Masters degree is it at this point. Next comes the “doing” of all of the things I’ve prepared for. I will still be doing this work when I’m 105.

What advice would you give to an aspiring freelance designer?
I feel like I’m the one learning from the advice of others right now. If my instincts are correct, what the world needs now is fresh, authentic design that allows the spirit of the designer to shine through. Hopefully, once this happens the work will come. I think companies are looking for unique ways to communicate who they are, so we can’t let ourselves fall into the rut of the task-driven, rote environment. We all have to do jobs that are needed and keep us employed but we’ve got to push ourselves to always keep our edge in order not to become stale.

What was the biggest challenge of becoming a cross platform designer?
The biggest challenge is to never let the little voices come into your head that tell you that you can’t do something. I remember being in a class and having a project due that needed to be created in After Effects. I had never opened the software before. I took a deep breath, opened it and started exploring. I absolutely loved it! And – received an A on the project. I try to draw on that exhilaration when I face a hurdle like that now.

Where can we find you?
I’m just starting to emerge from the tunnel vision of school, so I’m not very active on social networks yet. I’m trying to become more involved this way. Right now, my web site is my best link, www.2chairsdesign.com or email nriehle@2chairsdesign.com. I’ve reserved the domain name www.patternsoftheweb.net to do the visual component of my thesis and am trying to launch my word press blog there. And of course, webmaster@houston.aiga.org!