About

 

About once a week I cook at a *restaurant. Sounds strange but I try to squeeze in as much time as I can working behind the line, getting my ass kicked and making delicious food. It keeps me on my toes and is a creative exercise unlike any other.

Many of the same skills as in design are applied. For example, when tasting food you're using the same judgement you use when taking a step back to look at your design. Knowing your spices is comparative to knowing your typefaces and how much salt to use is like assessing how big or small to make your copy. It's multitasking to the extreme and this is the most valuable lesson I've gained: If you love what you do, every minute of it becomes a good experience - even the most pressured ones.

Almost a third of a cooking shift in a restaurant is spent prepping your station. If everything is prepped correctly half the battle is won and you're almost guaranteed a smooth service. The same is true for designing. Research is a huge part of creation. It leads to inspiration and can be used as a clarification tool with the client.

You can see from my work that it's varied and reaches all ages. With an emphasis on children's print and packaging, my 8 years of professional experience makes me well versed in a range of areas. I believe a good designer can do anything... even cook at a restaurant.

*Canele is located in Atwater Village (5 min from Silverlake)

Download Resumé (of work outside the kitchen :)